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During the period of June to October in 2018, a widespread decline was observed on kiwifruit vines in the vineyards located in the Altınordu, Fatsa, and Perşembe districts of Ordu province in Turkey. The symptoms were associated with reddish-brown rots expanding from the root to the collar with sparse off-color foliage. Based on the percentage of the total infected samples across 18 vineyards, the most common oomycete species were Globisporangium intermedium (37.1%), Phytopythium vexans (34.3%), Globisporangium sylvaticum (14.3%), Globisporangium heterothallicum (11.4%), and Pythium dissotocum (2.9%). The morphological identification of isolates was confirmed based on partial DNA sequences containing the nuclear rDNA internal transcribed spacer region gene and the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit II gene. The optimum growth temperature and the optimum pH values of the five species ranged from 22.98 to 28.25°C and 5.67 to 8.51, respectively. Pathogenicity tests on the seedlings of kiwifruit cv. Hayward revealed significant differences in virulence among isolates. Phytopythium vexans and Globisporangium sylvaticum isolates caused severe root and collar rot resulting in seedling death, while Globisporangium heterothallicum and Globisporangium intermedium isolates had relatively lower virulence. All Globisporangium spp. and Phytopythium vexans isolates significantly decreased plant growth parameters (plant height, shoot and root dry weights, and root length); however, Pythium dissotocum caused very mild symptoms and did not affect these parameters of growth. To our knowledge, this is the first study reporting Globisporangium sylvaticum, Globisporangium heterothallicum, and Globisporangium intermedium causing root and collar rot on kiwifruit not only in Turkey but also in the world.

In July 2020, a blight disease on lemon balm plants was observed with an incidence of up to 10% in three fields in Sanliurfa province, Turkey. The causal agent was identified as Neoscytalidium dimidiatum based on macro- and micro-morphological features of the colonies and sequencing of the translation elongation factor 1-α gene and the internal transcribed spacer region of rDNA. Re-isolation of N. dimidiatum from lemon balm plants showing blight symptoms was successfully established. To our knowledge, this is the first report of N. dimidiatum causing blight on lemon balm in Turkey and worldwide.

WOS:000576010400012 PubMed: 32791883 Decline symptoms associated with lethal stem and branch canker stain along with root and collar rots were observed on 5- to 7-year-old roadside oriental plane trees (Platanus orientalis) in Diyarbakir, Turkey. Aboveground symptoms included leaf necrosis, leaf curling, extensive bluish or blackish staining of shoots, branches, stem bark, and wood surfaces, as well as stem cankers and exfoliation of branch bark scales. A general decline of the trees was distinctly visible from a distance. A Phytophthora/Pythium-like oomycete species with globose to ovoid, often papillate and internally proliferating sporangia was consistently isolated from the fine and coarse roots and stained branch parts and shoots. The pathogen was identified as Phytopythium litorale based on several morphological features. Partial DNA sequences of three loci, including nuclear rDNA internal transcribed spacer (ITS) and the large ribosomal subunit (LSU), and mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit II (coxII) confirmed the morphological identification. All P. litorale isolates were homothallic, developing gametangia, ornamented oogonia with elongate to lobate antheridia. Pathogenicity of P. litorale was tested by inoculation on excised shoots and by root inoculation on seedlings. P. litorale produced large lesions and blights on shoots in just 5 days and killed 100% of the seedlings in a month. This paper presents the first confirmed report of P. litorale as an important pathogen on a plant species causing branch and stem cankers, and root and collar rot, in and on P. orientalis, resulting in a rapid decline of trees and suggesting a threat to plane.

In this study, a total of 78 Talaromyces isolates were isolated from the pistachio (Pistacia vera L.) rhizosphere heavily infested with Neoscytalidium spp. The identification studies of the four representative isolates based on morphological and molecular methods showed that all isolates were T. funiculosus. The 575 bp long sequence of the internal transcribed spacer region of T. funiculosus isolate ST976, selected as a representative of the isolates, was deposited in GenBank under accession no. MW130842. The Maximum Likelihood tree clustered the ST976 isolate with reference T. funiculosus isolates derived from the GenBank nucleotide database. The phosphorus dissolution ability of ST976 isolate was determined by an experiment using six soil samples collected from agricultural lands in various locations of Şanlıurfa province. The pH of the soil samples taken varied between 7.21 and 7.88. As a result of the analysis performed with the addition of the isolate ST976 applied to soil samples with different soil structures (Clay and Clay-Loam), it was determined that the isolate ST976 dissolved 109–311% more phosphorus than the control sample. The study is one of the first studies proving the ability of T. funiculosus isolate ST976 to dissolve phosphorus without any additives to soil solution was determined., Bu çalışmada Neoscytalidium spp. ile yoğun bir şekilde bulaşık antepfıstığı (Pistacia vera L.) rizosferinden toplam 78 Talaromyces izolatı izole edilmiştir. Dört temsilci izolatın morfolojik ve moleküler yöntemlere dayanarak tanımlama çalışmaları, tüm izolatların T. funiculosus olduğunu göstermiştir. İzolatları temsilen seçilen T. funiculosus ST976 izolatının internal transcribed spacer bölgesinin 575 bç büyüklüğündeki sekansı, GenBank tarafından sağlanan MW130842 erişim numarası ile kaydedilmiştir. Maximum Likelihood dendogramı, ST976 izolatını, GenBank nükleotid veri tabanında bulunan referans T. funiculosus izolatları ile birlikte kümelemiştir. ST976 izolatının fosfor çözünme kabiliyeti, Şanlıurfa ilinin farklı lokasyonlarında bulunan tarım arazilerinden alınan altı toprak numunesi ile yapılan deney ile belirlenmiştir. Alınan toprak örneklerinin pH'sı 7.21 ile 7.88 arasında değişmektedir. Farklı toprak yapılarına (Killi ve Killli-Tın) sahip toprak örneklerine uygulanan ST976 izolatının ilave edilmesi ile yapılan analiz sonucunda ST976 izolatının kontrol numunesine göre % 109-311 daha fazla fosfor çözündüğü tespit edilmiştir. Çalışma, T. funiculosus izolatı ST976'nın fosforu toprak çözeltisine herhangi bir katkı maddesi olmadan çözebildiğini kanıtlayan ilk çalışmalardan biridir.

Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia Mill.) is a valuable medicinal and aromatic plant in Turkey, with a cultivated area of 2,218 hectares in 2020 (TURKSTAT 2021). In June 2020, wilting, extensive stem and leaf blight or necrosis were observed in two-year-old lavender plants cultivated in the experimental felds of the GAP Agricultural Research Institute, Şanlıurfa, Turkey.

In July 2020, a leaf blight disease with intense defoliation on Turkish oregano (Origanum onites L.) plants was observed in a pilot experiment feld in Akçakale and a commercial feld in Haliliye with an incidence of 5.4 and 11.7%, respectively, in Şanlıurfa province. After a surface-sterilization for 1 min with 1% NaOCl, isolations from symptomatic tissues of six afected plants for each feld consistently yielded a fungus with the same colony morphology on potato dextrose agar. Cultures were powdery with a thick aerial mycelium, initially white that changed from olive green to black within 10 days.

Common sage (Salvia officinalis L.) is a perennial herb or sub-shrub native to the eastern Mediterranean. In July 2020, symptoms of chlorosis, wilting, and root rot appeared in 25% of two-year-old S. officinalis cv. Elif plants in two fields (N 36°53'42.457'', E 38°55'34.777''; N 36°53'27.236'', E 38°55'38.618'') in Şanlıurfa, Turkey.

WOS: 000408655400004, Crown and root rot, caused by the Oomycete pathogen Phytophthora palmivora, has become a destructive disease of apricot and cherry in eastern Turkey. There are no currently registered fungicides labeled for its control. In greenhouse experiments conducted in 2012 and 2013, 1-year-old potted apricot rootstock Zerdali and cherry rootstock Mahaleb plants were treated either with foliar spray of fosetyl-Al (140, 160, and 180 g a.i./100 l) or phosphorous acid (187.5, 200, and 215 g a.i./100 l) or soil drench of 100 ml of metalaxyl-M (= mefenoxam)+mancozeb (12+192, 16+256, and 20+320 g a.i./100 l) one day after wound inoculation of crowns and roots. In both years, phosphorous acid at 200 and 215 g a.i./100 l, fosetyl-Al at 160 and 180 g a.i./100 l, and metalaxyl-M+mancozeb at 20+320 g a.i./100 l significantly reduced the root rot severity on Zerdali by 70.68-80.00% and crown rot severity on both Zerdali and Mahaleb, by 68.32-91.96 and 74.21-82.60%, respectively, compared with phosphorous acid at 187.5 g a.i./100 l, fosetyl-Al at 140 g a.i./100 l, metalaxyl-M+mancozeb at 12+192 and 16+256 g a.i./100 l and control. Moreover, fosetyl-Al at 180 g a.i./100 l and metalaxyl-M+mancozeb at 20+320 g a.i./100 l significantly reduced the root rot severity on Mahaleb compared to fosetyl-Al at 140 and 160 g a.i./100 l, metalaxyl-M+mancozeb at 12+192 and 16+256 g a.i./100 l, phosphorous acid treatments and control in 2012, providing the best control of the disease by 88.00-90.68%. Two/three phosphorous acid foliar applications at 200 g a.i./100 l suppressed symptom development when field applications were made on a curative basis in 2014 and 2015., Ministry of Agriculture & Rural Affairs of the Republic of Turkey [TAGEM-BS-11/04-01/02-10], Supported by Ministry of Agriculture & Rural Affairs of the Republic of Turkey, Project No. TAGEM-BS-11/04-01/02-10.

[No abstract available]

Forty-four V. dahliae isolates were collected from symptomatic vascular tissues of okra plants each from a different field in eight provinces located in the eastern Mediterranean and western Anatolia regions of Turkey during 20062009. Nitrate-nonutilizing (nit) mutants of V. dahliae from okra were used to determine heterokaryosis and genetic relatedness among isolates. All isolates from okra plants were grouped into two vegetative compatibility groups (VCGs) (1 and 2) and three subgroups as 1A (13.6%, 6/44), 2A (20.5%, 9/44) and 2B (65.9%, 29/44) according to international criteria. Pathogenicity tests were performed on a susceptible local okra (A. esculentus) landrace in greenhouse conditions. All isolates from VCG1A and VCG2B induced defoliation (D) and partial defoliation (PD) symptoms, respectively. Other isolates from VCG2A gave rise to typical leaf chlorosis symptoms without defoliation. The obtained data showed that the virulence level of V. dahliae isolates from okra was related to their VCG belongings. Eighteen okra landraces from diverse geographical origins were screened for resistance to VCG2B and VCG1A of V. dahliae. The results indicated that all landraces were more susceptible to highly virulent VCG1A-D pathotype displaying D or PD symptoms depending on their susceptibility levels with a mean disease severity index of 3.52 than to less virulent VCG2B-PD pathotype of V dahliae displaying PD and ND symptoms with a mean disease severity index of 2.52. Significant differences were observed among the landraces; however, none of them exhibited a level of resistance. Okra landraces; corum, Hatay Has and Sanhurfa displayed the lowest level of susceptibility or little tolerance to both D and PD pathotypes. VCG2B of PD was prevailing in the surveyed areas and VCG1A of D was the most virulent of the VCGs identified. Introduction of resistant genotypes to Turkish okra germplasm from different sources and breeding new resistant okra cultivars are critical for the sustainability of okra production.

Chinese wisteria, Wisteria sinensis (Sims) DC., is a woody, twining vine and is commonly cultivated as an ornamental for its foliage and striking, drooping racemes of white, pink, or lavender sweet pea-like flower. Distinct leaf spots were observed in several gardens, retail nurseries, and parks located in Hatay Province since May 2009. The primary infection zones are frequently observed on the leaf margins and apices, brown, up to 2 mm in diameter, and often surrounded by a yellow zone. Foliar symptoms are characterized by grayish, round, semicircular or irregular-shaped, numerous spots (up to 9 mm in diameter) with dark brown borders and the appearance of black, granular structure within the dead leaf tissues. A fungus was consistently isolated from symptomatic tissues on potato dextrose agar (PDA). Fungal colonies were initially white, becoming light to dark gray with the onset of sporulation with black, spherical to subspherical single-celled conidia (15 to 18 × 12 to 15 μm), which were borne on a hyaline vesicle at the tip of the conidiophore. These characteristics agree with published descriptions of Nigrospora sphaerica (Sacc.) E.W. Mason 1927 (1,3). To fulfill Koch's postulates, a conidial suspension (106 conidia per ml) collected from PDA cultures was used to spray inoculate leaves of potted 3-year-old Chinese wisteria plants. Inoculated plants were kept for 48 h in polyethylene bags and maintained in a controlled environment chamber at 20°C with a 12-h photoperiod. The bags were removed after 3 days. In addition, five 3-year-old plants were sprayed with sterile water to serve as controls. After 14 to 20 days, inoculated leaves showed infection symptoms similar to those observed on naturally infected leaves with N. sphaerica. The pathogen was reisolated from the margins of necrotic tissues, but not from the controls. Although N. sphaerica is frequently encountered as a secondary invader or as a saprophyte on many plant species, this fungal agent is also known as a leaf pathogen on several hosts worldwide (2,4). To our knowledge, this is the first report of N. sphaerica as a leaf pathogen of Chinese wisteria in Turkey or worldwide. References: (1) M. B. Ellis. Dematiaceous Hyphomycetes. CMI, Kew, Surrey, UK, 1971. (2) D. F. Farr and A. Y. Rossman. Fungal Databases. Systematic Mycology and Microbiology Laboratory. Online publication. ARS, USDA. Retrieved 28 October from http://nt.ars-grin.gov/fungaldatabases/ , 2010. (3) P. M. Kirk. IMI Descr. Fungi Bact. 106:1056, 1991. (4) E. R. Wright et al. Plant Dis. 92:171, 2008.

English Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia Mill.) has been considered an alternative crop to tobacco in Hatay Province of Turkey because of its great production potential. As a new, nonnative crop, diseases and pests of lavender are not well known in the region. In summer 2010, root rot symptoms were observed with an average incidence of 45% in a 2-year-old lavender nursery in Hatay. Initial symptoms of chlorosis and wilting were followed by progressive death of the plants starting at the shoot tips. An oomycetous species was isolated consistently from the stems and roots of diseased plants on potato dextrose agar (PDA) amended with several fungicides and antibiotics. The culture of the single-zoospore isolate produced arachnoid growth on PDA. Chlamydospores of the isolate were approximately 35.0 μm in diameter. The isolate produced papillate, caduceus, hyaline sporangia in different shapes ranging from spherical to ellipsoidal. Sporangia with short pedicels (5 μm) were 35.0 to 57.5 × 27.5 to 42.5 μm with a length/width ratio of 1.2 to 1.8. On the basis of symptoms and morphology of the organism, the pathogen was identified as Phytophthora palmivora (E.J. Butler) E.J. Butler (3). Identification of the isolate was also confirmed by comparison of the sequence of the nuclear ribosomal internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region with reference isolates. The ITS region of rDNA was amplified by PCR with primers ITS1/ITS4 and sequenced (GenBank Accession No. JF777117). BLAST analysis of the sequence obtained showed a 99 to 100% homology with P. palmivora. Pathogenicity tests were performed on 12 greenhouse-grown 2-year-old lavender plants in 2-liter pots containing a steamed sand/peat/soil mixture. After rooting, the plants were inoculated by placing mycelial plugs from a 1-week-old culture of the isolate into an incision made at the base of each plant. Control plants were treated with plugs of sterile PDA. Inoculated plants were kept at 27°C for 5 weeks. Similar symptoms developed on the inoculated plants within 4 weeks after inoculation. P. palmivora was consistently reisolated from symptomatic plants. No symptoms developed on control plants. P. palmivora attacks a wide range of crop species including lavenders (1,2,4). To our knowledge, this is the first report of a root rot caused by P. palmivora, a new pathogen of lavender in Turkey. References: (1) S. Davino et al. Plant Dis. 86:561, 2002. (2) D. C. Erwin and O. K. Ribeiro. Phytophthora Diseases Worldwide. The American Phytopathological Society, St Paul, MN, 1996. (3) D. J. Stamps. C.M.I. Descr. Fungi Bact. 831:1, 1985. (4) G. A. Torres et al. Plant Dis. 94:1163, 2010.

WOS: 000463126100004, A novel disease of tomato (Solarium lycopersicum L.) was observed in the Southeast Anatolia Region of Turkey. Symptoms were blight of all aerial parts of the plant, including stems, branches, leaves, petioles, flowers and fruits, defoliation, root rot, inner stem necrosis, and plant death. The disease was found in 13.9% of surveyed fields, with an incidence varying from 3% to nearly 75% (average 21.2%) of the plants in symptomatic fields. The average severity of blight on stem in fields with the symptomatic plant surveyed was 1.4%. A Botryosphaeriaceae species, identified as Neoscytalidium dimidiatum (Penz.) Crous & Slippers using morphological and cultural features, was consistently isolated from symptomatic roots, inner stems, and blighted leaves, shoots, stems, fruits and flowers. The partial nucleotide sequence data for three gene loci, including nuclear rDNA internal transcribed spacer (ITS), large subunit (LSU) genes and the translation elongation factor 1-alpha (TEF-1 alpha), confirmed the morphological identification. Furthermore, sequence data of actin genes from N. dimidiatwn was, for the first time, deposited to the GenBank. Koch's postulates were fulfilled by testing the susceptibility of different tomato tissues (leaves, stems, inner stems and roots of tomato seedlings, and detached tomato fruits and flowers) to N. dimidiatum inoculation. To our knowledge, this is the first report of N. dimidiatum on tomato.

[No abstract available]

Developing alternative control methods such as using beneficial microorganisms and their metabolites to control the plant diseases has gained so much importance along recent years and research on this area are increasing day by day. In this study the possibilities of using microorganisms which have antimicrobial effects on controlling soil-borne fungi at strawberry production were investigated. Effects of different lactic acid bacteria (LAB) strains were studied in vitro and in vivo against the development of several soil-borne fungi. LAB were screened for antifungal activity by using cell free supernatant against Fusarium sp., Rhizoctonia sp., Macrophomina sp., Botrytis sp., Phtopythium sp., Cylindrocarpon sp. and Pestalotiopsis sp. Cell free supernatant of LAB isolates showed antifungal activity against fungi. In vitro effective strains of LAB were used in pot experiments to search their effects on fungal development and the development of the plant. While the antifungal effects of all LAB strains tested in vitro experiments exhibited promising results, in vivo experiments revealed similar effects on different fungi genera.

Turkey is the world's third-largest producer of pepper (Capsicum annuum), annually cultivating over 90,000 ha and producing over half a million tonnes of fruit. In 2019, wilting and death of c. 20% of plants were observed in pepper fields in Şanlıurfa province, Turkey (Fig. 1). Severe root and crown rot symptoms with discoloration were observed on affected plants, and necrotic lesions expanded rapidly into the stems which killed the plant (Fig. 2).

WOS: 000353485400008, Forty-nine Phytophthora isolates were obtained from roots and crown of apricot trees with symptoms of decline grown in commercial orchards in Malatya, Elaz and Diyarbakr provinces, Turkey, in 2011 and 2013. All of the recovered isolates were identified as Phytophthora palmivora on the basis of morphological characteristics. Blast analysis of ITS region sequences of rDNA of 5 isolates revealed 100% identity with a reference isolates of P.palmivora from GenBank. Isolates of P.palmivora were pathogenic on 12-month-old wild apricot rootstock Zerdali' plants that were wound inoculated on the roots and on the crown. This study demonstrated that P.palmivora is the cause of the crown and root rot found on apricot in Turkey. To our knowledge, this is the first report of P.palmivora on this host plant., Ministry of Agriculture & Rural Affairs of Republic of Turkey [TAGEM-BS-11/04-01/02-10], This study is a part of the project supported by Ministry of Agriculture & Rural Affairs of Republic of Turkey (Project Number: TAGEM-BS-11/04-01/02-10).

Walnut (Juglans regia L.) is a commercially important crop with about 87,670 ha grown in Turkey, the fourth largest producer worldwide. During summer 2018, unfamiliar and serious decline symptoms associated with stem and branch cankers were observed in walnut trees in two orchards in Sanliurfa Province, Southeastern Anatolia Region. In a 3-year-old orchard of 450 trees (cv. Chandler) in Kayseri, Siverek District, about 62% of trees had deep, large, and black cankers in the trunks and on main branches, drastically reduced tree vigor, and yellowing, wilting, and browning of the leaves, followed by leaf drop. In a 12-year-old orchard with 30 trees (cv. Kaman), in Yaylak, Bozova District, 40% of trees had similar symptoms. Symptoms were first noticed in trunks. Bark cracks, cankers in trunks, and dark discoloration or a black sooty, dusty mass of fungal spores under peeling bark on the trunk and main branches were the most striking symptoms. Deep cankers expanded longitudinally, extending along trunks and into the phloem of the trees, which consequently died, and occasionally laterally extending into the sapwood. Declining trees had dry root rot symptoms, with black necrosis on the surface, and under the cracked and coarse bark extending from the taproot and some large roots to the crown, and black rot and loss of fine roots. Samples were taken from under the bark of trunk cankers, crown tissues, and root tissues of five trees per orchard. The sections of samples were surface sterilized in 2% NaOCl for 2 min and rinsed twice in sterile distilled water, blotted dry with sterilized filter paper, placed on PDA, and incubated at 28°C. A fungus with identical cultural characteristics was consistently isolated. On PDA, the mycelium growth was white and then turned black with age. Rapidly growing colonies (average, 40 mm/day) produced mycelia that disarticulated into 0- to 1-septate, cylindrical-truncate or rod-shaped, thick-walled, hyaline to brown arthroconidia occurring singly or in arthric chains and averaged 9.6 ± 3.7 × 5.5 ± 1.6 μm with a length/width ratio of 1.79. These characteristics were consistent with the description of the arthric synanamorph of Neoscytalidium dimidiatum (Penz.) Crous & Slippers (Crous et al. 2006). The rDNA internal transcribed spacer (ITS) and large subunit (LSU) genes of two single conidial isolates (one from under bark tissues; one from root tissues) were amplified with ITS6/ITS4 and NL1/NL4 primer pairs, respectively, and the amplicons sequenced. The ITS and LSU sequences deposited in GenBank (ITS, MK430050 and MK430051; LSU, MK430056 and MK430057) had 100% identity with many sequences of N. dimidiatum, including recently available ones (Turkolmez et al. 2019; ITS, MH114591; LSU, MH114592), in line with the morphological features. Pathogenicity tests were performed on 20 replicates of 1-year-old container-grown J. regia ‘Chandler’ seedlings with a N. dimidiatum isolate by removing a 5-mm-diameter bark plug from the stem with a cork borer and placing an equivalent-sized 7-day-old culture disc of N. dimidiatum onto the exposed vascular cambium. The wound was covered with wet, autoclaved cotton wool and sealed with Parafilm. Treated plants were maintained in a growth chamber with a 16/8-h light/dark photoperiod at 26°C and 55% RH and watered on demand. Within 3 weeks, average lesion lengths under the bark of all inoculated stems were >150 mm, and the lesions were covered with a black sooty layer. Leaf blight was also observed, similar to naturally affected trees. Control plants remained healthy. N. dimidiatum was reisolated only from lesions of inoculated stems, fulfilling Koch’s postulates. In Turkey, N. dimidiatum has been reported as a destructive new blight of tomato (Turkolmez et al. 2019) and canker, shoot blight, and root rot of pistachio (Dervis et al. 2019). This is the first report of N. dimidiatum infection of walnuts in Turkey. By the end of 2018, all symptomatic trees had died. Recent occurrence of this severe disease suggests it could have a significant potential for limiting walnut production.

The objective of this research was to study the levels of antioxidant and oxidant metabolites such as total protein, total soluble sugars, proline, peroxidase, catalase, malondialdehyde, anthocyanin and phenol contents in tomato plants (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill. cv. Ailsa Craig) inoculated with Verticillium dahliae under various NaCl concentrations (50, 100, 200 and 250 mmol l−1). V. dahliae alone resulted in increases in oxidant (malondialdehyde and phenol) and antioxidant metabolites (proline, anthocyanin and sugar) as well as in antioxidant enzymes (catalase and peroxidase). However, the pathogenic effect of V. dahliae increased with the increase of NaCl stress and resulted in depletion of antioxidant metabolites and enzymes after 150 mmol l−1 NaCl level, while oxidant levels showed an increased trend. Results suggest that V. dahliae could be able to survive under high salt stress conditions and cause combined stress that affect the resistance of the resistant cultivars and reduce crop yield.

The genetic diversity and pathogenicity/virulence among 60 eggplant Sclerotinia sclerotiorum isolates collected from six different geographic regions of Turkey were analysed using mycelial compatibility groupings (MCGs), random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) and simple sequence repeat (SSR) polymorphism. By MCG tests, the isolates were classified into 22 groups. Out of 22 MCGs, 36% were represented each by a single isolate. The isolates showed great variability for virulence regardless of MCG and geographic origin. Based on the results of RAPD and SSR analyses, 60 S. sclerotiorum isolates representing 22 MCGs were grouped in 2 and 3 distinct clusters, respectively. Analyses using RAPD and SSR markers illustrated that cluster groupings or genetic distance of S. sclerotiorum populations from eggplant were not distinctly relative to the MCG, geographical origin and virulence diversity. The patterns obtained revealed a high heterogeneity of genetic composition and suggested the occurrence of clonal and sexual reproduction of S. sclerotiorum on eggplant in the areas surveyed.

Three hawthorn and related rust diseases caused by Gymnosporangium confusum on Crataegus monogyna, Gymnosporangium clavariiforme on Crataegus orientalis and Gymnosporangium sabinae on Pyrus communis were detected in Hatay province, Turkey. G. confusum was also found causing telial galls on Juniperus communis. G. confusum and G. clavariiforme produced aecial horns on overwintered galls on hawthorn twigs from May to June. The production of galls caused by Gymnosporangium on the secondary host is unusual. Portions of the nuclear ITS and LSU rDNA were sequenced for all three species of Gymnosporangium for use as a species barcode; sequences were deposited in GenBank. Sequence data from G. clavariiforme and G. sabinae matched those in GenBank; however, this is the first study to deposit sequence data from G. confusum to GenBank. The life cycles of G. confusum and G. clavariiforme are discussed along with implications for disease control.

The antifungal activities of volatile phase effects of essential oils from Origanum onites, O. syriacum, O. minutiflorum, O. vulgare, O, marjorana, Thymus vulgaris, T. serpyllum, Rosmarinus officinalis, Salvia officinalis and Micromeria fruticosa were evaluated for their ability to inhibit growth of three vegetative compatibility groups (VCGs) of Verticillium dahliae. Carvacrol was the main component of O. onites, O. minutiflorum and O. vulgare essential oils, while gamma-terpinene was the main component of O. syriacum. P-cymene and thymol were the dominant component of T. vulgaris and T. serpyllum. beta- thujone and l-camphor were the main component of S. officinalis. Polegone and isomenthone were the dominant components of M. fruticosa essential oil. Based on the in vitro test, the degree of fungistatical effects can be ranked in the following order of inhibition: O. syriacum = O. onites = O. minutiflorum = O. vulgare = T. vulgaris > T. serpyllum > M. fruticosa > S. officinalis = O. marjorana > R. officinalis. The essential oils of S. officinalis, O. marjorana and R. officinalis displayed moderate antifungal activity, that increased with increasing concentrations. Among the VCGs, VCG2A and VCG4B were found to be highly sensitive to the essential oils. The essential oils of O. syriacum, O. onites, O. minutiflorum, O. vulgare and T. vulgaris were the most efficacious, demonstrating strong antifungal activity against all of the tested VCGs of V. dahliae at relatively low concentrations and they could find practical application as natural fungicides in the prevention and protection of plants from V. dahliae infections., The antifungal activities of volatile phase effects of essential oils from Origanum onites, O. syriacum, O. minutiflorum, O. vulgare, O, marjorana, Thymus vulgaris, T. serpyllum, Rosmarinus officinalis, Salvia officinalis and Micromeria fruticosa were evaluated for their ability to inhibit growth of three vegetative compatibility groups (VCGs) ofVerticilliumdahliae. Carvacrol was the main component of O. onites, O. minutiflorum and O. vulgare essential oils, while gamma-terpinene was the main component of O. syriacum. P-cymene and thymol were the dominant component of T. vulgaris and T. serpyllum. beta- thujone and l-camphor were the main component of S. officinalis. Polegone and isomenthone were the dominant components of M. fruticosa essential oil. Based on the in vitro test, the degree of fungistatical effects can be ranked in the following order of inhibition: O. syriacum = O. onites = O. minutiflorum = O. vulgare = T. vulgaris > T. serpyllum > M. fruticosa > S. officinalis = O. marjorana > R. officinalis. The essential oils of S. officinalis, O. marjorana and R. officinalis displayed moderate antifungal activity, that increased with increasing concentrations. Among the VCGs, VCG2A and VCG4B were found to be highly sensitive to the essential oils. The essential oils of O. syriacum, O. onites, O. minutiflorum, O. vulgare and T. vulgaris were the most efficacious, demonstrating strong antifungal activity against all of the tested VCGs of V. dahliae at relatively low concentrations and they could find practical application as natural fungicides in the prevention and protection of plants from V. dahliae infections.

Systematic surveys for Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. niveum (Fon) were conducted in a total of 141 fields in the watermelon-growing areas of the Mediterranean and southeastern Anatolia regions of Turkey in 2004 and 2005. The mean incidence and prevalence of the disease were higher in the southeastern Anatolia region than in the Mediterranean region. Maximum disease incidence during the 2-year survey was 46.3%. However, mean disease prevalence ranged from 27.3% to 63.6% in southern Turkey. Of the 33 isolates of Fon recovered, 19 were recovered from Adana, two from Mersin, one from Gaziantep, four from Sanhurfa, five from Adiyaman, one from Batman, one from Diyarbalur. The physiological race of each isolate was determined by the disease reaction in five differential watermelon cultivars (Citrullus lanatus (Thunb.) Matsum. & Nakai). Of the isolates recovered from the Mediterranean region, 47.6% were identified as race 0, 38.1% as race 1, and 14.3% as race 2. Among the 12 isolates recovered from the southeastern Anatolia region, four isolates were identified as race 0, and eight isolates as race 1. Race 2 was not detected in this region. This is the first report of Fon races 0 and 1 in southeastern Anatolia. The population density of Fon in both the Mediterranean and southeastern Anatolia regions ranged from 116.1 to 4444.7 CFU g(-1) of soil. The mean inoculum density was much higher in watermelon-growing areas in the southeastern Anatolia region in comparison with the Mediterranean region, with a mean inoculum density of 1547.2 CFU g(-1). Race 0 and race 1 were the most prevalent races in the fields with the mean highest and lowest inoculum density, respectively.

Eighty isolates ofVerticillium dahliae from the southeastern Anatolia region and 20 isolates from the east Mediterranean region from wilted cotton plants were used for vegetative compatibility analysis employing nitrate non-utilizing mutants and reference tester strains of vegetative compatibility groups (VCGs) 1A, 2A, 2B, 3, 4A and 4B. Of the 100V. dahliae isolates, 49 were assigned to VCG1A, 39 to VCG2B, nine to VCG2A and three to VCG4B. Pathogenicity assays were conducted on susceptible cotton cv. Cukurova 1518 in the greenhouse. All VCG1A isolates induced defoliation and all VCG2B isolates caused partial defoliation symptoms. Isolates of VCG2A and VCG4B caused typical symptoms of leaf chlorosis without defoliation. This is the first report on VCGs ofV. dahliae in the southeastern Anatolia region of Turkey, which demonstrates that VCG1A of the cotton-defoliating type and VCG2B of the partially defoliating type are prevalent in this region.

Verticillium wilt, caused by Verticillium dahliae, is the most serious disease in olive cultivation areas in western Turkey. Two hundred and eight isolates of V. dahliae from olive (Olea europea var. sativa) trees were taken for vegetative compatibility analysis using nitrate non-utilizing (nit) mutants. One isolate did not produce a nit mutant. Nit mutants of 207 isolates were tested against tester strains of internationally known vegetative compatibility groups (VCGs) 1A, 2A, 2B, 3, 4A and 4B, and also paired in many combinations among themselves. One hundred and eighty nine of the isolates (90.9%) were strongly compatible with T9, the tester strain of VCG1A, and thus were assigned to VCG1A. Eight isolates were assigned to VCG2A and four isolates to VCG4B. One isolate was heterokaryon self-incompatible (HSI) and five isolates could not be grouped to any of the VCGs tested. Pathogenicity assays were conducted on a susceptible olive cultivar (O. europea cv. Manzanilla) and a susceptible local cotton cultivar (Gossypium hirsutum cv. Cukurova 1518). Both cotton and olive inoculated with all VCG1A isolates showed defoliating symptoms in greenhouse tests. This is the first report on VCGs in V. dahliae from olive trees in Turkey which demonstrates that VCG1A of the cotton-defoliating type is the most commonly detected form from olive plants in the western part of Turkey.

Twenty-eight isolates of Verticillium dahliae from the cotton growing areas of Cukurova and Amik plains of Turkey were evaluated in vitro for their sensitivities to prochloraz and prochloraz–manganese complex. The fungicide sensitivity was determined by measuring mycelial growth on agar medium amended with prochloraz and prochloraz–manganese complex at dosages up to 100 μg ml−1. The mean ED50 values for both locations ranged from 0.2590 to 0.3574 μg ml−1 for prochloraz and 0.5239–0.8409 μg ml−1 for prochloraz–manganese complex. The resistance factors for both fungicides were greater for the Cukurova than the Amik isolates. In field trials, the higher concentration of prochloraz (506 g a.i. ha−1) gave a slight reduction in disease severity. However, the higher concentration (1250 g a.i. ha−1) of prochloraz–manganese complex resulted in a significant effect (P=0.05) on disease control.

WOS: 000364944700015, Crown and root rot or decline is an increasing problem on sweet cherry in Mardin, Malatya, Elaz and Diyarbakr provinces in eastern Turkey. A survey was carried out during 2012-2014 in 120 commercial cherry orchards for disease symptoms, which included poor growth with sparse off-colour foliage, reddish-brown discolouration of the crown and roots, wilting and dieback of the canopy, and in many cases, tree death. Fifty-eight Phytophthora isolates obtained during the course of this 3-year survey were examined and identified as Phytophthora palmivora on the basis of morphological characteristics. BLAST analysis of ITS region sequences of rDNA of five isolates revealed 99-100% identity with reference isolates of P. palmivora from GenBank and Phytophthora database. Isolates of P. palmivora were pathogenic on 12-month-old potted Mahaleb' cherry (Prunus mahaleb L.) rootstock seedlings that were wound-inoculated on the roots and on the crown. Inoculated plants expressed similar symptoms to those observed in the field and almost all infected plants died within 3 months after transplanting. This study demonstrated that P. palmivora is the causal agent of cherry decline in eastern Turkey. To our knowledge, this is the first report of P. palmivora on this host plant. ResumeLa pourriture du collet et des racines, ou deperissement, constitue un probleme croissant chez le cerisier sauvage dans les provinces de Mardin, de Malatya, d'Elaz et de Diyarbakr de l'est de la Turquie. Une etude a ete menee de 2012 a 2014 dans 120 vergers commerciaux afin de deceler les symptomes de la maladie qui incluent la croissance mediocre accompagnee d'un feuillage clairseme de couleur atypique, la coloration brun-rougeatre du collet et des racines, le fletrissement et le deperissement de la cime et, dans plusieurs cas, la mort de l'arbre. Durant les trois annees qu'a dure cette etude, 58 isolats de Phytophthora ont ete examines et identifies, sur la base de leurs caracteres morphologiques, en tant que Phytophthora palmivora. L'analyse de type BLAST des sequences de l'espaceur transcrit interne de l'ADNr de cinq isolats a revele un taux d'identite de 99% a 100% par rapport aux isolats de reference de P. palmivora provenant de la GenBank et de la Phytophthora database. Les isolats de P. palmivora etaient virulents a l'egard de jeunes plants en pots de 12 mois sur porte-greffe de cerisier Mahaleb' (Prunus mahaleb L.) dont des blessures aux collets et aux racines avaient ete inoculees. Les plants inocules ont affiche des symptomes semblables a ceux observes sur le terrain, et presque tous les plants sont morts en moins de trois mois apres avoir ete transplantes. Cette etude a demontre que P. palmivora est l'agent causal du deperissement des cerisiers dans l'est de la Turquie. Pour autant que nous le sachions, il s'agit de la premiere mention de P. palmivora s'attaquant a cette plante hote., Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Livestock of Republic of Turkey [TAGEM-BS-11/04-01/02-10], This study is a part of the project supported by Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Livestock of Republic of Turkey (Project Number: TAGEM-BS-11/04-01/02-10).

15 pages: 2 figures; 3 tables, A comprehensive survey on the prevalence and incidence of Verticillium wilt of olive in Turkey has been conducted over 6 years (2003–2008). Vegetative compatibility group (VCG) assessment and PCR-based molecular pathotyping were used to evaluate the distribution of the defoliating (D) and nondefoliating (ND) pathotypes of Verticillium dahliae in surveyed areas. Pathogen prevalence was 35% of all olive orchards inspected and incidence of the disease reached 3.1%. VCG1A was predominant (29.3%) and infected all major cultivars grown in Turkey. The other two VCGs detected (2A and 4B) were of minor relevance (4.9% and 0.9%, respectively). Disease incidence caused by VCG1A infections was higher (ranging from 1.1% to 6.9%) than that caused by VCG2A and VCG4B in 10 provinces (Manisa, Aydin, Kahramanmaras, Izmir, Mugla, Kilis, Denizli, Gaziantep, Mardin and Balikesir). However, VCG2A and 4B were more prevalent (and responsible for higher disease incidence) than VCG1A in three provinces (Hatay, Osmaniye and Bursa). Finally, VCG1A isolates were found in all provinces except Canakkale, and simultaneous presence of the three VCGs was only verified in Hatay province. An artificial inoculation bioassay (19 representative V. dahliae isolates included) revealed that VCG1A (13) isolates as a group were more aggressive and caused defoliation, whereas VCG2A (5) and VCG4B (1) isolates induced milder symptoms. Within a VCG group, virulence varied among isolates infecting the same olive cultivar and this virulence was also related to the differential susceptibility of the cultivars (‘Manzanilla’, ‘Ayvalik’ and ‘Gemlik’) tested. Molecular pathotyping allowed the identification of D (VCG1A) and ND (VCG2A/4B) pathotypes, which correlated with results from pathogenicity tests. Remarkably, the V. dahliae VCG1A/D pathotype population infecting olive in Turkey was molecularly different from that one previously identified in Spain., The Scientific and Technical Research Council of Turkey

Verticillium dahliae Kleb. with a complicated genetic diversity is a widely distributed major pathogen resulting in cotton wilt, which causes high economic losses in cotton lint production in the cotton belt of Turkey. A collection of 70 Turkish V. dahliae isolates (68 from wilted cotton plants in 28 districts and two from watermelon plants in two districts) were tested for vegetative compatibility by observing heterokaryon formation among complementary nitrate-nonutilizing (nit) mutants. The mutants were tested against international reference tester isolates and also were paired with one another. Thirty-nine isolates were assigned to vegetative compatibility group (VCG) 2B, 19 to VCG2A and three to VCG4B. One isolate was self-incompatible and eight others could not be assigned to any of the identified VCGs because their nit mutants showed negative reactions with the tester isolates of four VCGs or their nit mutants reverted back to the wild type. This is the first report of VCGs in V. dahliae from cotton in Turkey. This research was supported by The Scientific and Technical Research Council of Turkey (TUBITAK). We thank Dr. Nadia Korolev, ARO, The Volcani Center, Bet Dagan, Israel, for providing the international reference isolates of the V. dahliae VCGs and for her critical reading of the manuscript.

Turkey, situated between Asia and Europe, is a very important area for plant diversity. The rich biological diversity of Turkey, in particular for wild edible fruits including blackberries, is a result of the extreme variations in climate within a very small area and varying altitudes of the valleys, in which differences in elevation can reach up to 3,000 metres (Ercisli, 2004). Recently, wild blackberries have been growing as border plants around fruit orchards in Hatay province of Turkey. Blackberry cultivation started in the Marmara region several decades ago and has now been introduced as a new crop in Hatay and Adana provinces of the Mediterranean and Black Sea regions (Kafkas et al., 2006). Consumption of fresh and frozen blackberries has increased in the past few years in Turkey. In search for alternative crops for farmers, blackberries have great potential as a crop of high market value. In late October 2008, rust-like symptoms were observed on approximately 25% of wild blackberry plants (Rubus fructicosus) in Belen, Samandag and Reyhanli districts of Hatay. Foliar symptoms included circular purplish leaf spots 1AE5–2 mm in diameter with yellow to tan centres on the upper leaf surface accompanied by cream to yellowish-orange uredinia on the lower surface. Urediniospores were globose or ellipsoid, 20–30 lm in diameter with 2AE5 lm thick walls. Cylindrical teliospores were dark brown and threeto five-celled. Three-celled teliospores excluding the papilla were 50–60 lm long by 25 to 30 lm wide, fourcelled teliospores were 70–75 lm long by 30 lm wide. Based on morphological characteristics, the rust fungus was identified as Phragmidium violaceum (Laundon & Rainbow, 1969). Blackberry rust was reported in Australia, Chile, Europe, Iran, Iraq, New Zealand, South Africa and USA on several species of Rubus (Farr et al., 2009) but this is the first report of rust caused by P. violaceum on wild blackberries in Turkey. The presence of the disease in wild blackberries has significant risk for cultivated blackberries in commercial orchards.