Prevalence of Tobacco Mosaic Virus on Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) in Kaduna State, North West Nigeria

Tobacco Mosaic Virus (TMV) is a mechanically transmitted tobamoviruses that infects a wide range of solanaceous crops and has historically caused significant losses in tomato production. Though TMV surveillance in Nigerian tomato farms has been conducted in some zones, documented data from Kaduna State remain sparse. This study assessed the prevalence of TMV on tomato farms across four local government areas in Kaduna State during 2023. Field surveys covering 60 farms recorded symptom incidence, and representative symptomatic plant samples were subjected to enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction for virus identification. TMV was confirmed in 44 percent of tested samples, with highest prevalence in farms managed by growers using unprotected hands and shared cutting tools during pruning and transplanting operations. The correlation between grower smoking habits and higher within-farm TMV prevalence was observed, consistent with the documented role of tobacco product contamination in field inoculation. Mixed infections with Tomato Yellow Leaf Curl Virus were recorded in 21 percent of TMV-positive samples. Co-infected plants displayed more severe symptoms and reduced yield potential. Extension messages promoting the washing of hands with soap before handling transplants, disinfection of pruning tools, and sourcing TMV-free transplants were identified as high-priority communication needs for the region. Keywords: tomato, Tobacco Mosaic Virus, prevalence, tool contamination, Kaduna State.