Tobacco Mosaic Virus (TMV) reduces crop yields by up to 50% in tobacco and 25-40% in tomatoes. TMV remains a significant challenge in agriculture due to its stability, ease of transmission, and lack of definitive cures. Modern treatments focus primarily on management rather than curing TMV. Salicylic acid (SA) is a critical plant hormone that regulates plant growth, development, and defense mechanisms. This study investigates the effect of varying concentrations of SA on Solanum lycopersi cum (tomato plants) to determine its role in mitigating TMV infection. A qualitative and quantitative experimental design was used to assess leaf length, chlorophyll content, and the severity of TMV infection across different SA treatment groups. Experimental data was collected over the span of seven days. Results indicate a concentration-dependent response, with higher SA levels correlating with increased chlorophyll content, reduced TMV severity, and improved average leaf growth, suggesting an enhanced antiviral defense. These findings support SA’s potential as a plant defense enhancer, which may contribute to improved crop resilience.

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