Many strains of the virus exist affecting many unrelated plants in different families. The symptoms of TMV first appear about 10 days after plants become infected.
Symptoms appear as light and dark green mottled areas on leaves.
Leaves on infected plants are often small, curled, and puckered. Plants infected early in their development are stunted and have a yellowish cast. Symptoms may vary depending on virus strain, time of infection, variety, and environmental conditions. In hot weather, symptoms may not be as obvious although plants remain infected. Certain strains of TMV can cause dark, longitudinal streaks of varying lengths on stems.