TMV (tobacco mosaic virus) is a plant virus that infects tobacco and other solanaceous plants like tomatoes and potatoes. It causes characteristic mosaic and mottling patterns on the leaves of infected plants. TMV is composed of a single-stranded RNA genome enclosed in a protein capsid. The virus enters the host plant through wounds in the leaves or stems and uses the plant's cellular machinery to replicate its RNA and proteins, which then self-assemble to form new virus particles that spread the infection. Control methods include crop rotation, rogueing infected plants, and developing resistant varieties.