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Aims: In this study, it was aimed to investigate the occurrence of cucurbit yellow stunting disorder virus (CYSDV), cucurbit chlorotic yellows virus (CCYV) and beet pseudo-yellows virus (BPYV) in cucumber, zucchini and melon plants grown in Hatay province by Double Antibody Sandwich-Enzyme Linked Immuno Sorbent Assay (DAS-ELISA) and Reverse Transcription-Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) methods, to analyse the phylogenetic relationships of identified isolates.Methods and Results: Totally 90 symptomatic and non-symptomatic cucumber, zucchini and melon samples were collected from Hatay province. DAS-ELISA and RT-PCR methods were used to investigate the presence of CCYV and RT-PCR method was used for CYSDV and BPYV. The most common symptoms observed are leaf shrinkage, deformation, leaf wrinkles, curling and vein clearing. According to the DAS-ELISA results, CCYC was not found in the samples tested. As a result of RT-PCR analysis, BPYV and CCYV could not found in the samples tested, but PCR amplicons of 364 bp amplifying the heat shock protein 70h (HSP70h) gene of CYSDV were obtained from 11 samples (9 zucchini, 2 melons). As a result of bidirectional sequence analysis of 10 CYSDV izolates, it was determined that the obtained nucleotide sequences were highly similar (99%) to that of the CYSDV isolates registered in the GeneBank. In this study, CYSDV was reported for the first time in the zucchini and melon plants growing in Hatay province.Conclusions: CYSDV was detected for the first time in samples collected from zucchini and melon plants in Hatay province. BPYV and CCYV could not be detected in any of the samples tested. The fact that 12.22% of the tested samples were infected with CYSDV highlights the need of using healthy plant materials.Significance and Impact of the Study: In this study, the presence of CYSDV was proven by RT-PCR analyses for the first time in zucchini and melon plants in Hatay province., Amaç: Bu çalışmada, Hatay ilinde yetiştirilen hıyar, kabak ve kavun bitkilerinde cucurbit yellow stunting disorder virus (CYSDV), cucurbit chlorotic yellows virus (CCYV) ve beet pseudo-yellows virus (BPYV)’lerinin Double Antibody Sandwich-Enzyme Linked Immuno Sorbent Assay (DAS-ELISA) ve Reverse Transcription-Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) yöntemleriyle belirlenmesi, elde edilen virüs izolatlarının filogenetik ilişkilerinin ortaya konulması amaçlanmıştır. Yöntem ve Bulgular: Hatay ilinden simptomlu ve simptomsuz 90 adet hıyar, kabak ve kavun örneği toplanmıştır. CCYV’nin varlığını araştırmak için DAS-ELISA ve RT-PCR yöntemleri, CYSDV ve BPYV’lerinin varlığını araştırmak için ise RT-PCR yöntemi kullanılmıştır. Gözlenen en yaygın simptomlar yapraklarda küçülme, deformasyon, yaprak kırışıklıkları, kıvrılmalar ve damar açılmalarıdır. DAS-ELISA testi sonuçlarına göre testlenen örneklerde CCYC bulunamamıştır. RT-PCR analizleri sonucunda testlenen örneklerde BPYV ve CCYV bulunamamış ancak CYSDV’nin heat shock protein 70h (HSP70h) genini çoğaltan 364 bp büyüklüğünde PCR amplikonları 11 örnekte (9 kabak, 2 kavun) elde edilmiştir. Bu ürünlerden 10 tanesinin doğrudan iki yönlü sekans analizi sonucunda, elde edilen nükleotit dizilerinin gen bankasında kayıtlı CYSDV izolatları ile yüksek oranda (%99) benzerlik gösterdiği saptanmıştır. Bu çalışma ile CYSDV ilk defa Hatay ilinde kabak ve kavun bitkilerinde rapor edilmiştir. Genel Yorum: Hatay ili kabak ve kavun alanlarından toplanan örneklerde CYSDV ilk kez tespit edilmiştir. Testlenen örneklerinin hiçbirinde BPYV ve CCYV belirlenememiştir. Testlenen örneklerin %12.22 oranında CYSDV ile enfekteli bulunması, sağlıklı bitki materyallerinin kullanılmasının önemini göstermektedir. Çalışmanın Önemi ve Etkisi: Hatay ilinde ilk kez bu çalışma ile kabak ve kavun bitkilerinde CYSDV’ünün varlığı, RT-PCR analizleri ile kanıtlanmıştır.

Son yıllarda yeni nesil sekans analiz tekniklerinin yaygın olarak kullanılması bağlarda ve diğer bitki türlerinde etiyolojisi bilinmeyen birçok virüs hastalığının etmeninin belirlenmesini sağlamıştır.. Bağlarda bu teknoloji ile saptanan yeni virüslerden en önemlileri Grapevine Pinot Gris Virus (GPGV), Grapevine Syrah Virus-1 (GSyV-1), Grapevine Red-blotch associated Virus (GRBaV) ve Grapevine Roditis Leaf Discoloration Virus (GRLDaV)’dür. Bu çalışmanın amacı Tekirdağ ve Hatay ili bağ alanlarında GPGV, GSyV-1, GRBaV ve GRLDaV varlığının PCR ve DNA dizileme yöntemleriyle saptanması ve karakterizasyonlarının yapılmasıdır. Bu çalışma kapsamında virüs benzeri simptom gösteren omcaların yanı sıra simptomsuz omcalardan da örnekler alınmış ve toplam olarak Tekirdağ ilinden 191, Hatay ilinden ise 111 örnek toplanmıştır. Tekirdağ ilinden toplanan bağ örneklerinde %43,62 oranında GPGV, %1,04 oranında GSyV1 saptanmıştır. Hatay ilinden toplanan örneklerde ise sadece %0,9 oranında GSyV1 saptanmış ve testlenen örnekler GPGV, GRBaV, GRLDaV açısından temiz bulunmuştur. Tekirdağ örneklerinin GPGV için yapılan RT-PCR analizlerinde kısmi kılıf protein, hareketlilik, ve replikaz genlerini çoğaltan primerler kullanıldığında sırasıyla 411 bp, 302 bp ve 618 bp büyüklüğünde PCR ürünleri elde edilmiştir Bu ürünlerin doğrudan iki yönlü sekans analizi sonucunda ve her üç gen bölgesinin de nükleotid dizilimlerinin gen bankasında kayıtlı farklı GPGV izolatları ile yüksek oranda homoloji gösterdiği saptanmıştır., The improvements on the next generation sequencing or high-trough output technologies allowed the discovery of several unknown viruses in grapevines and also in other plants . The most important new emerging grapevine viruses were identified as Grapevine pinot gris virus (GPGV), Grapevine syrah virus 1 (GSyV-1), Grapevine red blotch-associated virus (GRBaV) and Grapevine roditis leaf discoloration virus (GRLDaV). The aim of the present study was to investigate the occurrence and characterization of these viruses in Tekirdag and Hatay viticulture production areas by PCR and DNA sequencing analyses. Totally 191 and 111 grapevine samples showing both virus-like symptoms and symptomless were collected from Tekirdağ and Hatay provinces, respectively. Among the tested samples GPGV and GSyV-1 were detected in both local and imported cultivars by the infection rate of 43.62 % and 1.04% in Tekirdağ , respectively. In Hatay provice, only GSyV1 was detected by the infection rate of 0.9 % and all tested samples were negative for GPGV, GRBaV, GRLDaV. RT-PCR results showed that DNA fragments of 411 bp, 302 bp and 618 bp corresponding to the part of the coat protein (CP), movement protein (MP) and the replicase genes of GPGV were successfully amplified in Tekirdağ samples. All PCR products of GPGV were directly sequenced on both strands. All the nucleotide sequences of CP, MP and 5’ UTR and Nterminus of replicase genes shared the highest sequence identity with different GPGV isolates deposited in Genbank

Aims:In this study, the presence of Apple Proliferation (CandidatusPyhtoplasma mali) was investigated in Adana and İçel provinces.Methods and Results:Surveys were conducted in apple growing areas of Adana and İçel provinces between 2013-2016 and 234 trees in 39 different orchards were investigated for phytoplasma diseases. DNA isolations of samples, PCR and RFLP (Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism) analysis were performed. Amplicated fragments of 14 out of 234 samples tested by PCR/RFLP analysis observed as same as “Candidatus Pyhtoplasma mali” positive control.Conclusions:Apple (Malus domesticaBorkh.) is among the temperate pome fruits that has been important production areas, and grown for many years in our country. AP is listed in quarantine in our country and economically limits apple production in the world. So that, the condition of the disease is important in the apple growing areas.Significance and Impact of the Study:This study was conducted to determine the presence of AP in Adana and İçel provinces, and especially was to reveal the presence of phytoplasma infection in İçel., Amaç:Buçalışmada Adana ve İçel illerinde Elma çoklu sürgün fitoplazması (CandidatusPyhtoplasma mali) nın varlığı araştırılmıştır.Yöntem ve Bulgular: Adana ve İçel illerinde elma yetiştirilen alanlarda 2013-2016 yılları arasında yapılan arazi çalışmaları sırasında fitoplazma hastalıkları açısından 39 bahçe ve 234 ağaç incelenmiştir. Örneklerin DNA izolasyonları, PCR (Polimeraz Zincir Reaksiyonu) ve RFLP (Restriksiyon Fragment Uzunluklu Polimorfizm) analizleri yapılmıştır.Sonuçlara görePCR/RFLP analizleriyle testlenen 234 örnekten 14 tanesi “CandidatusPyhtoplasma mali” pozitif kontrolü ile aynı büyüklükte amplifikasyon oluşturmuştur.Genel Yorum:Elma (Malus domesticaBorkh.), ülkemizde uzun yıllardır yetiştirilen, yumuşak çekirdekliler arasında yer alan, önemli üretim alanına sahip ılıman iklim meyvelerindendir. EÇSF ülkemiz karantina listesinde yer alan ve dünyada elma üretimini ekonomik ölçüde sınırlandıran bir hastalıktır. Bu nedenle hastalığın elma yetiştiriciliği yapılan alanlardaki durumu önem arz etmektedir.Çalışmanın Önemi ve Etkisi:Bu çalışma Adana ve İçel illerinde EÇSF’nin varlığının tespitine yönelik yapılan bir araştırma olup özellikle İçel ilinde enfeksiyon varlığının ortaya konduğu bir çalışma olmuştur.

Amaç:Buçalışmada Adana ve İçel illerinde Elma çoklu sürgün fitoplazması (CandidatusPyhtoplasma mali) nın varlığı araştırılmıştır.Yöntem ve Bulgular: Adana ve İçel illerinde elma yetiştirilen alanlarda 2013-2016 yılları arasında yapılan arazi çalışmaları sırasında fitoplazma hastalıkları açısından 39 bahçe ve 234 ağaç incelenmiştir. Örneklerin DNA izolasyonları, PCR (Polimeraz Zincir Reaksiyonu) ve RFLP (Restriksiyon Fragment Uzunluklu Polimorfizm) analizleri yapılmıştır.Sonuçlara görePCR/RFLP analizleriyle testlenen 234 örnekten 14 tanesi “CandidatusPyhtoplasma mali” pozitif kontrolü ile aynı büyüklükte amplifikasyon oluşturmuştur.Genel Yorum:Elma (Malus domesticaBorkh.), ülkemizde uzun yıllardır yetiştirilen, yumuşak çekirdekliler arasında yer alan, önemli üretim alanına sahip ılıman iklim meyvelerindendir. EÇSF ülkemiz karantina listesinde yer alan ve dünyada elma üretimini ekonomik ölçüde sınırlandıran bir hastalıktır. Bu nedenle hastalığın elma yetiştiriciliği yapılan alanlardaki durumu önem arz etmektedir.Çalışmanın Önemi ve Etkisi:Bu çalışma Adana ve İçel illerinde EÇSF’nin varlığının tespitine yönelik yapılan bir araştırma olup özellikle İçel ilinde enfeksiyon varlığının ortaya konduğu bir çalışma olmuştur., Aims:In this study, the presence of Apple Proliferation (CandidatusPyhtoplasma mali) was investigated in Adana and İçel provinces.Methods and Results:Surveys were conducted in apple growing areas of Adana and İçel provinces between 2013-2016 and 234 trees in 39 different orchards were investigated for phytoplasma diseases. DNA isolations of samples, PCR and RFLP (Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism) analysis were performed. Amplicated fragments of 14 out of 234 samples tested by PCR/RFLP analysis observed as same as “Candidatus Pyhtoplasma mali” positive control.Conclusions:Apple (Malus domesticaBorkh.) is among the temperate pome fruits that has been important production areas, and grown for many years in our country. AP is listed in quarantine in our country and economically limits apple production in the world. So that, the condition of the disease is important in the apple growing areas.Significance and Impact of the Study:This study was conducted to determine the presence of AP in Adana and İçel provinces, and especially was to reveal the presence of phytoplasma infection in İçel.

Bağ yetiştiriciliğinin oldukçaönemli olduğu Hatay ve Tekirdağ illerinde yetiştirilen farklı bağ çeşitlerindeodun deformasyonuna neden olan etmenleri araştırmak amacıyla 2015-2016 yıllarında buçalışma yürütülmüştür. Yerli ve yabancı bağ çeşitlerinden olmak üzere Hatay’dantoplam 100, Tekirdağ’dan 133 örnek alınmıştır. Odun deformasyonuna neden olan etmenlerden Grapevine virus A (GVA), Grapevine virus B (GVB), Grapevine virus D (GVD) ve Grapevine rupestris stem pitting associatedvirus (GRSPaV)’leri DAS-ELISAve/veya RT-PCR yöntemleri ile araştırılmıştır. DAS-ELISA sonuçlarına göreHatay’da farklı bağ çeşitlerinde GVA %4,77 enfeksiyon oranında bulunurken,Tekirdağ ilinden alınan örneklerin hiçbirisinde GVA saptanamamıştır. Hatay veTekirdağ illerinden alınan bağ örneklerinin RT-PCR yöntemiyle testlenmesisonucu sırası ile en çok GVA (%69 ve %17), ve GRSPaV (RSP48-49 primeri ile %39ve %40,6; RSP13-14 primeri ile %41 ve %12,96) bulunmuştur. GVD sadece Hatayilinde %4 enfeksiyon oranıyla saptanırken GVB testlenen örneklerdebulunamamıştır. En çok rastlanan çoklu enfeksiyonlar ise GVA+GRSPaV (Hatay’da%37, Tekirdağ’da %12) olarak belirlenmiştir. Yapılan RT-PCR analizleri sonucunda GVA (429 bp), GVD(852 bp), GRSPaV (RSP48-49 primeri ile 330 bp ve RSPaV13-14 339 bp) için beklenen düzeyde DNA amplifikasyonlarıgözlenmiştir.GRSPaV’ünün seçilen 4 izolatının DNA dizilemesi yapılmış ve Gen Bankasındakayıtlı referans izolatlarla % 98-99 oranında benzerlik gösterdiğisaptanmıştır.

Pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) has been cultivated since ancient times through the Mediterranean region, Asia, Africa and some parts of Europe. The main production countries being mainly Mediterranean and Asian countries such as India, Iran, China and Turkey. Turkey is one of the leading producer and exporter for this fruit and total pomegranate production reached 315.000 tons in 2012 that corresponds to one of the largest pomegranate economies in the world. Hatay, located in Eastern Mediterranean region, is one of the most important centers of diversity in pomegranate in Turkey. Recently symptoms resembling virus infection in local pomegranate cultivars were observed in late summer-autumn periods in Hatay province. Pomegranate leaves showing yellowing, chlorotic spots, vein clearing and oak-leaf symptoms were sampled to verify possible virus association with these symptoms. DAS-ELISA and RT-PCR analysis were used for the detection of suspecious viruses infecting fruit trees, grapevines and potatoes such as Plum pox virus, Prunus necrotic spot virus, Apple mosaic virus, Apple chlorotic ring spot virus, Apple stem grooving virus, Arabis mosaic virus, Grapevine leafroll associated virus 1, 2, 3, 4-9, 6, 7, Grapevine virus A, Cucumber mosaic virus, Pepino mosaic virus, Potato virus X, Potato virus Y (PVYN), Potato virus M and Potato leafroll virus. Plant sap extraction for ELISA and Nucleic acid extraction for PCR analysis were performed from leaf and shoots of three strong symptomatic and twenty suspecious plants. Due to high content of metabolic compounds such as polyphenols and anthocyanins in pomegranate tissues, nucleic acid extractions did not result in high quality RNA in most of the conventional procedures used in this study, except modified CTAB based method. One set of primer F5'-GTTACGGCCCTTTGTTTATTATGG-3' and R5'-CGACCCCTTTATTGTTTGAGTATG-3' was used to amplify coat protein gene (397 bp) of GLRaV-1. According to ELISA and RT-PCR analysis only three symptomatic plant samples yielded positive results for Grapevine leafroll associated virus-1 (GLRaV-1) among tested viruses whereas all other samples were negative for all tested viruses. Up to now, there are only a few reports on Cucumber mosaic virus and Hop stunt viroid in pomegranates. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report to show GLRaV-1 in pomegranate trees.&nbsp

Plant samples were collected from the main apple growing provinces of Turkey in order to evaluate the incidence of 4 important apple virus diseases during spring 2004. Collected leaves and shoots were tested using enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) for Apple mosaic virus (ApMV), Apple stem grooving virus (ASGV) and Apple chlorotic leaf spot virus (ACLSV). Since no commercial antiserum is available, Apple stem pitting virus (ASPV) was tested only using RT-PCR and the results were compared. A total of 174 apple samples were collected from varietal collections belonging to governmental and university institutions and also from commercial orchards. Out of 174 plants, 126 were infected by at least one virus disease. The incidence of the 4 viruses in varietal collections was 70.21%, while it was 75.00% in commercial orchards. The results obtained from the comparison of ELISA and RT-PCR in this study showed that with the RT-PCR technique 8.6% more samples were positive for ACLSV, ASGV and ASPV. Mixed infections were also very common in both varietal and commercial orchards. Among the mixed infections, the most common one was ASPV + ACLSV (84.21%), followed by ASPV + ASGV (36.84%), ACLSV + ASGV (26.32%) and ASPV + ApMV (5.26%). The incidence of the ASPV + ASGV + ACLSV combination was 26.32%. The number of plants infected with any viruses was higher when tested using RT-PCR comparing to ELISA. This study showed that apple virus diseases, especially on symptomless trees, were very common in different provinces of Turkey and RT-PCR can be successfully applied in certification programs of pome fruit trees.

Leaves from 58 fig tree accessions showing different severity of mosaic and necrotic symptoms were collected in 2 different regions of Turkey and analysed by transmission electron microscope (TEM) and RT-PCR to determine putative causal agents of fig mosaic disease (FMD). Ultrastructural studies showed that double membrane-bound bodies (DMBs) were mainly observed in the parenchyma and mesophyll cells of infected leaves of the cultivars Göklop and Morgüz and some seedlings showing only mosaic symptoms. These bodies were surrounded by a fibrillar matrix in most of the infected cells. Long, flexuous rod-shaped virus-like particles (LFPs) were also observed in vascular tissues of the Bursa Siyahı, Sarılop, Sarızeybek, and Yediveren cultivars, as well as seedlings that exhibited mosaic and necrotic symptoms together. Isometric virus-like particles (IVLPs) were mainly observed in mesophyll parenchyma cells of cv. Yeşilgüz, which showed very mild mosaic symptoms. Some phytoplasma-like bodies, as well as mosaic symptoms, were also observed in the phloem tissues of cv. Morgüz, Göklop, and Yediveren. These kinds of particles were not observed in the healthy plant leaves. RT-PCR analyses revealed that a PCR product of 3.0 kbp was obtained from virus-purified RNA of cvs. Bursa Siyahı, and Sarılop and an unknown cultivar (seedling) using degenerate fig-associated primers. When primers specific for FMD agent in Spain were used, a DNA fragment of 750 bp was amplified from cvs. Göklop and Yeşilgüz. However, no product was obtained by using DC-random primers.

Plum pox virus (PPV) has been observed in Turkey since 1968, but was not widespread except in apricot and plum trees in home gardens and ornamental parks in restricted areas. Susceptibility of six different Prunus rootstocks to strain PPV-T was assessed under natural inoculum pressure in the Izmir-Aegean region during 2010-2011. Aphid populations were monitored from the first week of April to the middle of June by the sticky-plant method one year after the rootstock plantation was established. Aphids collected from different rootstocks were tested individually by squash real-time RT-PCR and all rootstocks were regularly tested by DASI-ELISA. The largest aphid populations were observed at the end of May and the most abundant aphid species as averages over the two years were Myzus persicae (20.15%), Hyalopterus pruni (18.64%), Aphis craccivora (9.04%) and Aphis gossypii (8.36%). In 2011, the highest percentage of viruliferous aphids was found in M. persicae (34.78%), followed by H. pruni (32.50%), Macrosiphum euphorbiae (25.00%), A. gossypii (23.80%), A. spiraecola (12.50%) and A. craccivora (10.00%). Of the six Prunus rootstocks tested, only Nemaguard and Myrobalan 29C were infected by PPV-T, infection rate in 2010 being 6.0% (Nemaguard) and 4.0% (Myrobalan 29C). The infection rate increased to 16.0% for Nemaguard and 14.0% for Myrobalan 29C in 2011. However, the other rootstocks, Prunus marianna GF8.1, Docera6, GF677 and Garnem tested negative for PPV-T throughout 2011. PPV isolates obtained from naturally infected apricot trees (inoculum source) and from infected rootstocks in the experimental plot were characterized as PPV-T and had more than 99.5% nucleotide sequence identity.

Several viruses infecting fig trees in Turkey have been identified recently. The samples were collected from the commonest fig cultivars showing typical mosaic symptoms and from symptomless plants from different fig growing regions of Turkey. They were tested for Fig leaf mottle-associated virus 1-2 (FLMaV1-2), Fig mosaic virus (FMV), Fig latent virus-1 (FLV-1), Fig mild mottle-associated virus (FMMaV), Arkansas fig closterovirus 1-2 (AFCV1-2), Fig badnavirus-1 (FBV-1) and Fig cryptic virus (FCV) by PCR and sequence analyses. One hundred fig trees were tested, and 83% of tested samples were found to be infected by at least one virus. Complex infections were detected in most of the samples, and the most common viruses were FBV-1 and FMV with 82 and 79% infection ratios, respectively. The sequence analyses confirmed virus identity except for AFCV-1 for which no sequence data are available in GenBank. Based on phylogenetic analysis, the sequences clustered into seven groups: FLV-1, FMMaV, FBV-1, FCV, FMV, AFCV-1, FLMaV-1, as expected, and no correlation was found between Turkish isolates depending on cultivars and provinces for these viruses.

Publication Inra prise en compte dans l'analyse bibliométrique des publications scientifiques mondiales sur les Fruits, les Légumes et la Pomme de terre. Période 2000-2012. http://prodinra.inra.fr/record/256699; Although 'Candidatus Phytoplasma prunorum' has been previously detected in different regions of Turkey, its vectors have not been identified yet. A survey was conducted in 2010 and 2011 in order to determine the presence of Cacopsylla pruni populations in six different fruit tree producing areas. The psyllid was found in Adana, Mersin, Bursa and Yalova on either Prunus spinosa or wild plums (Prunus spp.) and also on fir trees. The mean percentage of individuals of C. pruni infected with Ca. P. prunorum was around 23% in Mersin. Although 'Candidatus Phytoplasma prunorum' has been previously detected in different regions of Turkey, its vectors have not been identified yet. A survey was conducted in 2010 and 2011 in order to determine the presence of Cacopsylla pruni populations in six different fruit tree producing areas. The psyllid was found in Adana, Mersin, Bursa and Yalova on either Prunus spinosa or wild plums (Prunus spp.) and also on fir trees. The mean percentage of individuals of C. pruni infected with Ca. P. prunorum was around 23% in Mersin. Although 'Candidatus Phytoplasma prunorum' has been previously detected in different regions of Turkey, its vectors have not been identified yet. A survey was conducted in 2010 and 2011 in order to determine the presence of Cacopsylla pruni populations in six different fruit tree producing areas. The psyllid was found in Adana, Mersin, Bursa and Yalova on either Prunus spinosa or wild plums (Prunus spp.) and also on fir trees. The mean percentage of individuals of C. pruni infected with Ca. P. prunorum was around 23% in Mersin.

Türkiye'de elma yetiştiriciliğinin yoğun olarak yapıldığı bölgelerde elmalarda önemli dört virüs hastalığının yaygınlık durumlarını değerlendirmek amacıyla 2004 yılının ilkbahar döneminde bitki örnekleri toplanmıştır. Toplanan bu örnekler Elma mozaik virüsü (Apple mosaic virus = ApMV), Elma gövde yivlenme virüsü (Apple stem grooving virus = ASGV) ve Elma klorotik yaprak leke virüslerine (Apple Chlorotic Leaf Spot Virus = ACLSV) karşı hem ELISA hem de RT-PCR yöntemleriyle testlenmiştir. Elma gövde çukurlaşma virüsüne (Apple stem pitting virus = ASPV) karşı ise henüz ticari olarak üretilmiş antiserum bulunmadığı için sadece RT-PCR yöntemi kullanılmış ve sonuçlar kıyaslanmıştır. Toplam 174 örnek bakanlık ve üniversitelere ait olan çeşit koleksiyon bahçelerinden ve ticari bahçelerden toplanmıştır. Bu bitkilerden 126 tanesi en az bir virüs ile enfekteli olarak saptanmıştır. Hastalığın yaygınlık oranı ticari bahçelerde % 70.21 olarak saptanırken çoğunluğu çeşit bahçelerinden alınan gözlerle üretilen fidanlarla kurulmuş olan ticari bahçelerde ise enfeksiyon oranı daha yüksek olup % 75.00 olarak bulunmuştur. ACLSV, ASGV ve ASPV'nin tanılanmasında ELISA ve RT-PCR tekniklerinin kıyaslanması sonucu elde edilen bulgular, RT-PCR yöntemi ile % 8.6 oranında daha fazla sayıda bitkinin pozitif olarak saptandığını göstermiştir. Gerek çeşit gerekse ticari bahçelerde karışık enfeksiyon oldukça yaygın bulunmuştur. Karışık enfeksiyonlar içinde en yaygın olanlar sırasıyla ASPV + ACLSV (% 84.21), ASPV + ASGV (% 36.84), ACLSV + ASGV (% 26.32) ve ASPV + ApMV (% 5.26)'dir. ASPV + ASGV + ACLSV üçlü enfeksiyon oranı ise % 26.32 olarak saptanmıştır. Virüslerin herhangi biri ile enfekteli bitki örneklerinin sayısı RT-PCR ile test edildiğinde ELISA yöntemine göre daha fazla olmuştur. Bu çalışma elma virüs hastalıklarının Türkiye'nin farklı bölgelerinde özellikle de simptom göstermeyen ağaçlarda çok yaygın olduğunu ve RT-PCR yönteminin yumuşak çekirdekli meyve ağaçlarının sertifikasyon çalışmalarında başarıyla kullanılabileceğini ortaya koymuştur., Plant samples were collected from the main apple growing provinces of Turkey in order to evaluate the incidence of 4 important apple virus diseases during spring 2004. Collected leaves and shoots were tested using enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) for Apple mosaic virus (ApMV), Apple stem grooving virus (ASGV) and Apple chlorotic leaf spot virus (ACLSV). Since no commercial antiserum is available, Apple stem pitting virus (ASPV) was tested only using RT-PCR and the results were compared. A total of 174 apple samples were collected from varietal collections belonging to governmental and university institutions and also from commercial orchards. Out of 174 plants, 126 were infected by at least one virus disease. The incidence of the 4 viruses in varietal collections was 70.21%, while it was 75.00% in commercial orchards. The results obtained from the comparison of ELISA and RT-PCR in this study showed that with the RT-PCR technique 8.6% more samples were positive for ACLSV, ASGV and ASPV. Mixed infections were also very common in both varietal and commercial orchards. Among the mixed infections, the most common one was ASPV + ACLSV (84.21%), followed by ASPV + ASGV (36.84%), ACLSV + ASGV (26.32%) and ASPV + ApMV (5.26%). The incidence of the ASPV + ASGV + ACLSV combination was 26.32%. The number of plants infected with any viruses was higher when tested using RT-PCR comparing to ELISA. This study showed that apple virus diseases, especially on symptomless trees, were very common in different provinces of Turkey and RT-PCR can be successfully applied in certification programs of pome fruit trees.