Molecular characterization and sequence detection of Apple mosaic virus hazelnut isolates

Abstract

One of the most important factors, limiting the production of hazelnut in Turkey is Apple mosaic ilarvirus (ApMV). Due to the easy distribution of the pathogen by vegetation and pollen, there is no chemical control available, it causes widespread dissemination in both pome fruit and hazelnut plantations in Turkey. The pathogen was detected on several plant species in Turkey: stone and pome fruits, roses and finally hazelnut. Virus isolates were collected from mainly hazelnut production areas in Black sea region of Turkey and analyzed by DAS-ELISA and RT-PCR assays. During the surveys, 95 hazelnut samples were collected from the research area and using DAS-ELISA it was determined that 57 of them were infected by ApMV. Different RNA isolation methods were tested because of the high tannin content of the leaves, the best results were obtained using the procedure of Rott and Jelkmann (2001) and 262 bp long amplification products were obtained in RT-PCR tests. 9 hazelnut isolates collected from different locations were sequenced and phylogenetic analysis were performed by Mega programme. According to the results of phylogenetic analysis. Hazelnut sequences were gathered in different clusters and compared to the other hosts of the virus.