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Cucurbits are widely grown vegetables in different provinces of Turkey. However their production is restricted by pests and pathogens including different plant viruses, among which Zucchini yellow mosaic virus (ZYMV) is particularly damaging. Infections by this virus during the early stages of plant development causes deformation of fruits and significant yield losses. During 2009-2014, 221 cucurbits samples were collected from fields and greenhouses from different provinces of Turkey. Serological testing was performed by double antibody sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (DAS-ELISA) for presence of Watermelon mosaic virus (WMV), ZYMV, Cucumber mosaic virus (CMV), Papaya ring spot virus (PRSV), cucumber green mottle mosaic virus (CGMMV) and Squash mosaic virus (SqMV). For molecular analaysis of ZYMV, full-length CP nucleotide sequences were obtained for 45 ZYMV isolates and compared with sequences from worldwide isolates available in databases. The CP coding regions of Turkish ZYMV were 837 nt long and encoded 279 amino acids (aa). Forty two isolates from different regions were classified in the molecular subgroup Al, the most frequent in the Mediterranean Basin, Europe and Africa. Three isolates collected from Antalya region were classified in subgroup A4 and showed 99 % sequence identity with isolates from the same subgroup that have emerged recently in France.

National audience; Cucurbits are widely grown in different provinces of Turkey. However their production is restricted by plant viruses. ZYMV is one of the most economically important viruses of cucurbit crops worldwide, including in Turkey. Several strains have been defined based on their biological, serological and molecular variability –particularly in the coat protein (CP) coding region. One molecular cluster (A1) appears highly prevalent worldwide, but other clusters (A4, A5) have been observed recently in several European and Mediterranean countries, probably in relation to recent introductions. However the situation in Turkey remains unknown. The aim of this research was thus to characterize the molecular variability of ZYMV in Turkey and look for the presence of emerging strains.