The virus is easily spread when infected and healthy plants are handled together. This virus can easily be carried into the crop on clothing, tools and stakes. Control Tobacco mosaic is difficult to control. If a range of control measures is carried out effectively, the incidence of mosaic in crops should be significantly reduced. From Agriculture Western Australia observations the level of mosaic appears to be much higher where growers save their own seed and germinate it themselves.
Seed treatments Tobacco mosaic is carried both on the outside of the seed as well as internally.
External virus contamination of seed is more significant than virus carried internally. However, since this virus is so easily spread in the field internal seed transmission is a possibility. Growers who save their own seed should collect fruit only from health plants and select them from the lower bunches of the plant. This treatment is recommended if the grower saves his own seed. Stir well and allow to stand for five hours with regular stirring.