Figure 12.  Workers dipped their Tobacco mosaic virus-contaminated hands in milk prior to planting to protect the plants (right) from infection (left). Effect of TMV on tobacco plants (Nicotiana tabacum cv. Clemson PD-4) from workers who intentionally contaminated their hands with the virus prior to transplanting tobacco seedlings (left). When workers utilized the simple precaution of washing their TMV-contaminated hands in milk, the tobacco plants were protected from the severe effects of TMV infection (right). Hand washing with milk or soap and water reduced the incidence of TMV by 95 or 100%, respectively. A comprehensive program of hand washes, sanitation, rotation, roguing infected plants, and use of resistant varieties is suggested to control TMV in tobacco. (Courtesy J.P. Krausz) BACK