Inhibition of the Multiplication of Tobacco Mosaic Virus by Methyl Benzimidazol-2-yl Carbamate

Abstract
Methyl benzimidazol-2-yl carbamate (MBC, carbendazim), the fungitoxic principle of the systemic fungicide benomyl, reduces the severity of symptoms produced by tobacco mosaic virus [TMV] infection of tobacco [Nicotiana tabacum] plants. Measurements of the accumulation of TMV RNA in MBC-treated and control plants showed that MBC treatment significantly reduced the accumulation of virus, by 20% in lower leaves and up to 90% in upper leaves. No phytotoxic effects of MBC were observed at the concentrations effective against virus multiplication. Possible modes of action of MBC are discussed.