Investigation on phytoplasma diseases, their potential insect vectors and other hosts in pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) growing areas of Hatay-Turkey

Abstract

Aims: This study was conducted to determine the phytoplasma diseases of pepper plants in Hatay province between 2016 and 2019.Methods and Results: Samples of pepper (Capsicum annuum), sesame (Sesamum indicum), basil (Ocimum basilicum), tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) and bindweed (Convolvulus arvensis) which had typical phytoplasma symptoms and insect (Cicadellidae spp.) samples were collected from the pepper fields. Empoasca sp., Cicadulina bipunctata, Psammotettix sp., Balchutha hebe, Euscelidius sp., Anaceratagallia laevis and Exitianus capicola were found as potential insect vectors of the phytoplasmas as descending order of population densities. T-budding grafting technique was successful for phytoplasma transmission from infected sesame and basil plants to healthy periwinkle (Catharanthus roseus) plants in controlled conditions. Phytoplasmas were detected in pepper, tomato, basil, sesame and bindweed and from some insect samples. Total nucleic acid isolation was accomplished by the CTAB method. Direct and Nested PCR were used employing R16F1/R16R0 and R16F2n/R16R2 primer pairs respectively.Conclusions: DNA of positive samples were sequenced, and uploaded to Genbank, and were identified as Ca. Phytoplasma trifolii on pepper (MT993358), sesame (MT994434), tomato (MT992754), basil (MT994432), Empoasca sp. (MT994430), Exitianus capicola (MT994433), Euscelidius sp. (MT994431); and as Ca. Phytoplasma solani on binweed (MT993422) and tomato (MT992796).Significance and Impact of the Study: According to our knowledge, this study is the first to identify and upload to Genbank of Ca. Phytoplasma trifolii on basil and Empoasca sp., Exitianus capicola and Euscelidius sp. as insect vectors of the diseases in Turkey.