Plant plasticity allows for remarkable adaptability to environmental changes, and recent evidence suggests that magnetic fields may play a regulatory role in this process by modulating gene expression. In this study, we investigated the molecular responses of Citrus aurantium L. seeds exposed to magnetic pulse fields (MPFs) of 0 μT (control), 17 and 34 µT from seed planting to seedling development 8 hours in 24 hours daily cycles. Prior to experiment, working genes in Citrus spp were searched in the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) database and a total of 30 genes have been identified. Further, analyses revealed that 9 genes out of 30 may have been involved in Citrus seed germination and seedling development. These 9 genes were used in quantitative PCR (qPCR) analyses and their 34 μT MPFs applications down regulated the expressions of 3 genes, auxin transporter protein 1 (AUX), nitrate transporter (NRT) and calmadulin touch 3 (TCH3) were increased, resulted in early germination, better rooted and healthier looking plants. These genes are central to plant growth, development and signaling, indicating that moderate-intensity MPFs can stimulate early developmental and physiological processes. Conversely, 17 µT MPFs delayed seed germination, possibly due to reduced expression in other tested genes. This study provides novel insights into the transcriptional shifts associated with MPFs exposure during early plant development and highlights the potential of controlled magnetic fields as an abiotic modulator in plant biotechnology.

Tomato spotted wilt virus (TSWV) and Pepper mild mottle virus (PMMoV) not only cause economic yield losses but also limit production for pepper plants. Resistant genes are the only reliable management strategies to control such viral diseases, but these viruses are able to overcome such resistance mechanisms. Therefore, novel resistance genes should be used to control the TSWV and PMMoV diseases. For molecular detection of resistance genes, DNA quality and purity are extremely vital to obtain proper results. This study aims to identify the best extraction method using resistance gene markers from different leaves of pepper plants. PCR analyzes revealed that fresh first real leaf gave reliable DNA quality with the CTAB DNA extraction method and then the Dellaporta extraction method which yielded lower concentrations. Although the commercial DNA extraction method offered convenient results within PCR analyzes, it is cost effective for molecular breeding such as marker assisted selection programs in developing countries. The study has clearly addressed optimized DNA concentration, using different extraction methods, leaf samples from pepper plants and their storage conditions for ultimate results in breeding programs.

Pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) plants are extensively utilized in culinary and spice industries, rendering their cultivation pivotal in agricultural production. Enhancing their growth and yield is a critical research area for producers and horticulturists. Recent investigations have delved into the use of pulsed magnetic fields (PMFs) as a potential growth stimulant. Unlike static magnetic fields, PMFs are characterized by transient, high-intensity magnetic bursts, potentially eliciting varied responses in plants. To assess PMFs' impact on pepper plants, several experiments were setup comprising two solenoids, each wound around an 18-cm-diameter rigid plastic pipe but with differing coil turns, one with 40 and the other with 80 turns. These solenoids were utilized to generate PMFs at a frequency of 1 kHz with two intensities: 17 micro-Tesla (mu T) and 34 mu T. The pepper plants were situated within the PMF zone under controlled conditions, ensuring consistency in light, temperature, and moisture levels. The experimental design included three plant groups: a control group with no PMFs exposure except that of the Earth's magnetic field, and two groups subjected to 17 mu T and 34 mu T PMFs intensities with Earth's magnetic field, ranging between 25-65 mu T. The treatment spanned 15 days, involving 6 hours of daily continuous exposure. Key growth indicators such as plant height, stem diameter, leaf area, and fresh and dry weights of both shoot and root systems were measured and analyzed. This analysis revealed significant increases in plant height, leaf area, and fresh and dry weights of the shoot, but not in root systems. Further research is warranted to deepen the understanding of PMFs' effects on pepper plants.

The Solanum americanum, possesses valuable features that earn it a deserved addition to the expanding list of model plants that are utilized in the fields of plant genetics, plant breeding and biotechnology. This review attempts to comprehensively highlight the crucial role of this model plant and its genetic diversity in terms of resistance against biotic pathogens. In summary, we recommend the use of this plant in future studies focused on plant-pathogen interactions.

Tomato spotted wilt virus is thrips transmitted and causes significant diseases on solanaceous plans. In this study, samples were collected to detect and determine the incidence of Tomato Spotted Wilt Virus (TSWV) in cress (Lepidium sativum) and pepper (Capsicum annum) cultivated in 27 greenhouses at Kumluca, Antalya province. More than 102 plant samples were collected from cress and pepper plants in Autumn 2023. The samples from individual samples showing virus-like ring and leaf distortion symptoms were tested using RT-PCR and qRT-PCR for the presence of TSWV. The positive tested cress and pepper samples were distinguished and incidence of TSWV in cress plants was common in the 5 greenhouses. Currently, this is first report of TSWV occurrence in cress. Consequently, there should be focus on the role thrips species in the epidemiology of the virus in Turkey because it can be concluded that the tested TSWV isolates were resistant breaking and the host plants do not have resistance indicating important epidemiological interspecies transmissibility.

Avocado (Persea americana Milll.) holds a pivotal position in global fruit crops, contributing significantly to the economies of tropical and subtropical regions. However, the rising incidence of diseases poses a substantial risk to avocado production. This comprehensive study investigated the disease landscape in Antalya, the largest avocado cultivation area in the Türkiye. A survey of 2537 avocado trees across 11 regions from 2020 to 2021 revealed alarming disease incidences, particularly in the eastern regions of Gazipasa and Alanya. Dieback, branch canker, anthracnose, and soil-borne root rot were identified as the primary diseases affecting tree canopies, twigs, and branches. Morphological and molecular analyzes unveiled a spectrum of pathogens, with Colletotrichum gloeosporioides dominating in the Mediterranean region. Notably, Phytophthora cinnamomi emerged as a severe threat, causing root rot and decline in avocado trees. Fusarium solani and Fusarium oxysporum, known for their association with tropical fruit crops, were identified in the western parts of Antalya. Additionally, we have detected Neofusicoccum parvum, Lasiodiplodia theobromae, and Neopestalotiopsis rosae in collected samples from avocado trees. The identified pathogens exhibited varying levels of severity in branch canker and anthracnose on avocado branches and leaves. Furthermore, pathogenicity evaluations shed light on the potential of these pathogens to induce severe symptoms, emphasizing the urgency for effective control measures. The exploration of cultural and biological control strategies are crucial for mitigating the impact of branch canker, dieback, and anthracnose diseases, ensuring the sustainability of avocado cultivation in the region.

Plants have maintained their vitality for 500 million years, despite encountering challenging environmental conditions caused by biotic or abiotic factors. Plants interact with other organisms in their environment, which can result in infection or be beneficial. Over time, plants have developed various mechanisms and strategies to distinguish friends from enemies. Understanding complex and dynamic interactions between host and pathogen is crucial to improving plant defense. While our understanding of host–microbe interactions at the molecular level has significantly advanced in the past four decades, many aspects of this relationship still need to be explored to develop resistant plants. CRISPR (Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats) is a powerful gene-editing tool that has greatly enhanced our understanding of the molecular mechanisms of host–pathogen interactions and has the potential to improve plant immunity. In addition, the precision and flexibility of CRISPR make it an invaluable tool for developing new plant breeding strategies and studying the evolution of plant–pathogen interactions. The ability to edit plant genomes accurately and quickly also offers exciting possibilities for engineering plants with enhanced disease resistance. In this chapter, we have discussed how CRISPR has changed our understanding of plant immunity and how it can be used to develop new resistant cultivars suitable for commercial agricultural production.

Fungi, bacteria, and viruses cause highly devastating diseases in species of the Cucurbitaceae family. Powdery mildew, a fungal disease, is one of the most important diseases of cucurbits. The pathogen, Podosphaera xanthii, is the most common causal agent of powdery mildew disease within cucurbits. The aim of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of the combined formulations of two biological agents, B. subtilis and B. thuringiensis, in combating powdery mildew disease, which represents a significant threat to C. pepo cultivation in Kayseri, Turkiye. The efficacy of six different treatments in controlling the disease agent P. xanthii was evaluated in susceptible zucchini genotypes. It was found that full-dose bacteria dilution application, before and after powdery mildew infection, as well as three-and five-fold bacteria dilutions application significantly prevented (1-2 scale value) powdery mildew disease on infected zucchini plants than the control application. There was a decrease in vegetative growth in the control-treated crops while plant growth increased significantly in bacterial -treated crops. Also, our findings showed that combined formulations made from Bacillus subtilis (61.29e and 3.3a strains) and Bacillus thuringiensis (2B3-1 and 2B2-2 strains) significantly increased the synthesis of plant defense enzymes such as DPPH, antioxidant, proline production, total phenolic substance, and total flavonoid content. The application of B + PM resulted in the highest enzyme contents, quantified as follows: 22.91 mg AAE/g antioxidant, 2.01 mg/g KU proline, 10.03 mg GAE/g TPC, and 7.756 mg CE/g TFC. These enzymes may have played vital roles in triggering zucchini defense mechanisms, thereby significantly preventing powdery disease in the bacteria-treated crops.

CRISPR/Cas9 is one of the most robust technologies for plant breeding enabling precise and efficient modifications in a genome. This technology is being used for the manipulation of target genes in a host to develop resistance against the plant pathogens. Cucumis sativus elF4E is one of the target genes playing a key role in viral infection during interaction with potyvirus viral proteins genome linked (VPg). Nevertheless, the allelic and positional effect of elF4E mutations in C. sativus is to be clarified in elF4E -VPg interaction. In addition, there are entanglements in the massive production of pathogen-resistant cultivars suitable for commercial production using CRISPR/Cas9 technology. Therefore, we targeted different positions of the elF4E in G27 and G247 inbred lines, using specific gRNA1 and gRNA2 for the first and third exons, respectively, and 1,221 transgene-free plants were selected in segregated T1 generation, where 192 G27 and 79 G247 plants had the least mutation at Cas9 cleavage site of gRNA1 or gRNA2. Crossing was performed to see allelic effects of elfF4E mutations in F1 populations, which were homozygous and heterozygous single (elF4E_1 DEL or elF4E_3 DEL ) and double (elF4E_1-3 DEL ) mutants. Disease symptoms of watermelon mosaic virus (WMV), papaya ringspot virus (PRSV), and zucchini yellow mosaic virus (ZYMV) were evaluated in both non-edited and edited F1 plants, and we did not observe any symptom in homozygous elF4E_1-3 DEL and elF4E_1 DEL mutants. However, homozygous elF4E_3 DEL was positive in reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), even if there were no significant symptoms on the inoculated leaves. ELISA and qRT-PCR indicated lower viral accumulation in homozygous elF4E_3 DEL than heterozygous and non-edited plants. Regeneration and transformation protocols were also optimized comprehensively for both the genotypes. The average number of shoots/100 explants was determined for both G27 and G247 as 13.6 and 18.0, respectively. We could not detect any distinguishing difference between the non-edited and edited F1 plants for yield and morphology. Our results demonstrate an effective route for mass production of viral resistant cultivars of cucumber to WMV, ZYMV, and PRSV. In this way, the pathogen-resistant cultivars could be generated to reduce the losses caused by these pathogens in cucumber production.

Powdery mildews (PM) are common and severe pathogen groups that threaten plants, and PM resistance is complex and polygenic in cucumbers. Previously mlo-based resistance was reported in various plants, including cucumber, with generated loss-of CsaMLO function mutants. However, mlo-based resistance in cucumber is also complex and involves additional mechanisms such as hypersensitive response (HR) and papillae formation. For this reason, we focused on determining the mlo-based powdery mildew resistance mechanism in cucumber. CRISPR/Cas9 was used in the present study to generate loss-of-function mutants for CsaMLO1, CsaMLO8, and CsaMLO11 of PM susceptible ADR27 cucumber inbred lines and CsaMLO mutants were obtained and validated. Trypan Blue and DAB staining were performed to detect Podosphaera xanthii germination/penetration rates and accumulation of Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS). Our results indicate that PM-susceptibility associated CsaMLOs in cucumber are negative regulators in different defense mechanisms against powdery mildew at early and late stages of infection. Further, the experiment results indicated that CsaMLO8 mutation-based resistance was associated with the pre-invasive response, while CsaMLO1 and CsaMLO11 could be negative regulators in the post-invasive defense response in cucumber against P. xanthii. Although the loss-of CsaMLO8 function confers the highest penetration resistance, CsaMLO1 and CsaMLO11 double mutations could be potential candidates for HR-based resistance against PM pathogen in cucumber. These results highlighted the crucial role of CRISPR/Cas9 to develop PM resistant cucumber cultivars, possessing strong pre-invasive defense with CsaMLO8 or post-invasive with CsaMLO1/CsaMLO11 mutations.

Tomato is among the most widely produced and consumed vegetable crops not only in Turkey but also in the world. During production of tomato, there are several fungal, bacterial and viral pathogens causing diseases on the valuable vegetable plant. Among them, bacterial canker and wilting pathogen makes significant crop losses in tomato plants. To control such bacterial pathogen, developing resistant varieties is an effective method where M3-9 and M3-15 mutant plants produced by ethyl methanesulfonate (EMS) chemical mutation from NCEBR3 cultivated tomato line. To date, there is neither resistant plant to bacterial canker and wilting pathogen nor effective biological control agents known. In this study, we aim to reveal accumulation of Pathogenicity Related-1 (PR1) gene which has an important role in resistant M3-9 and M3-15 mutant plants is working under resistant gene(s). Studies have unrevealed that the PR1 gene encodes PR1 proteins in M3-9 and M3-15 mutant plants from inoculation to 5th days post inoculation, however, a little PR1 protein accumulation was detected in susceptible original NCEBR3 plants where PR1 protein was not enough to prevent bacterial canker and wilt pathogen. These results indicate resistant gene(s) have resistance mechanisms where PR1 gene and their encoded PR1 proteins accumulated in the two promising mutant plants. Resistance gene mapping studies have been continuing to clone resistance gene and its signaling pathways. The cloned resistance gene(s) will genetically enable to control such important bacterial pathogen causes bacterial cancer and wilting disease on tomatoes. All collected data encourage that the most appropriate method to control bacterial cancer and wilt disease is to develop genetically resistant tomato plants. Producing genetically resistant tomato varieties is long-term process, and the promising resistant tomato plants are created by reverse genetics.

Pepper mild mottle virus (PMMoV) is a plant virus belonging to the Virgaviridae family; it significantly reduces pepper yield production worldwide. The PMMoV is spread by contaminated seeds and there is no chemical treatment available. Therefore, resistant pepper varieties containing the L4 gene are recommended for the management of PMMoV. A considerable amount of evidence suggests that the L4 gene confers resistance to PMMoV in pepper. The aim of the project is to confirm the status of the L4 gene for resistance to PMMoV in pepper varieties, several inoculations were performed on pepper plants containing L3, L4 resistant genes and susceptible pepper plants without the resistance genes. The L4 resistant plants produced mottling, mosaic, leaf curl, stem necrosis symptoms in the tested pepper plants but there was no amplicon observed with specific primers of PMMoV in RT-PCR analyses. To determine if the L3 and L4 genes are controlling resistance to PMMoV, RT-PCR analyzes were conducted using PMMoV and Tomato brown rugose fruit virus (ToBRFV) where both viruses belong to the same family. The molecular studies revealed that the L4 gene controls resistance mechanisms to PMMoV but it is not able to govern Tobamovirus, ToBRFV. We showed that pepper plants harboring the L3 and L4 gene have the ability to precisely control the mechanism of resistance to PMMoV compared to pepper plants carrying only the L3 gene. A complete genome sequence of PMMoV was obtained and submitted to Genbank with MW523006 accessıon number in the NCBI system.

Podosphaera xanthii causes powdery mildew of cucumber, and is associated with significant yield and quality losses. Development of resistant or tolerant varieties is the most effective and eco-friendly strategy for powdery mildew management. An important host resistance mechanism is based on the recognition of conserved resistance genes, resulting in durable resistance. To determine powdery mildew resistance mechanisms in cucumber, total RNAs were isolated from the powdery mildew resistant cultivar Meltem, the tolerant line VT18, and the susceptible local variety Camlica. Expression levels of nine genes in these plants were analysed by Reverse Transcription Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR). The host reactions were assessed using microscope observations of stained specimens. Serine/threonine (STN7), transcription factor (WRKY22), serine/threonine-protein kinase (D6PKL1), and serine/threonine receptor kinase (NFP) genes were induced, as positive regulators in defence mechanisms against powdery mildew. Polygalacturonase Inhibitor (PGIP) did not express after P. xanthii inoculation of Camlica, resulting in susceptibility. After inoculation, callose synthase (CALLOSE) and cinnamyl alcohol dehydrogenase (CAD) gene expression levels were increased in resistant Meltem, but Hypersensitive Reaction (HR) and ROS formation were only linked in the tolerant VT18. Powdery mildew development was less in Meltem than in VT18, indicating that cell wall thickening and HR play separate roles in resistance to this disease.

Domates Dünya’da ve Türkiye’de en çok üretilen ve tüketilen sebze bitkileri arasındadır. Domates bitkisi bu kadar çok üretilmesinin yanında yetiştiriciliği esnasında birçok fungal, bakteriyel ve viral hastalık etmenlerinin olumsuz etkilerine maruz kalmaktadır. Bu etmenlerden en önemlileri arasında bulunan bakteriyel kanser ve solgunluk hastalığına neden olan patojen domates bitkilerinde önemli ürün kayıplarına sebebiyet vermektedir. Hastalıkla mücadelede etkin bir yöntem dayanıklı çeşit geliştirmektir. Hastalığa dayanıklı kültür domates çeşitlerinin olmaması nedeniyle NCEBR3 kültür domates hattı ethyl methanesulfonate (EMS) kimyasal mutasyonuna uğratılarak M3-9 ve M3-15 mutant bitkileri hastalığa dayanıklı olarak bulunmuştur. Bu çalışmayla mutant bitkilerdeki dayanıklılığı sağlayan mekanizmalar arasında önemli bir rolü olan Patojenisite ile İlgili (PR1) geninin M3-9 ve M3-15 mutant dayanıklı bitkiler üzerindeki üretimini ortaya koymak için Real-Time PCR analizleri yapılmıştır. Dayanıklılık mekanizması içerisinde üretilen PR1 geni ve bu genin kodladığı proteinler mutant bitkilerde inokulasyondan sonraki 5. güne kadar çok miktarda oluştuğu, buna karşın hassas NCEBR3 bitkilerinde PR1 geni ve onun kodladığı PR1 proteininin üretiminin kısıtlandığı bulunmuştur. Hassas orijinal NCEBR3 bitkilerinde PR1 genin gecikmeli üretilmesi nedeniyle bakteriyel hastalık etmeni kolonize olurken dayanıklı M3-9 ve M3-15 bitkilerinde inokulasyondan itibaren üretilen PR1 geni bakteriyel hastalık etmeninin kolonizasyonunu engellemektedir. Yapılan çalışmalar dayanıklılıktan sorumlu gen(ler)in altında bulunan PR1 geni ve bu genin ürettiği PR1 proteinlerinin iki mutant bitkide dayanıklılığı sağladığını göstermektedir. Dayanıklılığı sağlayan gen(ler)in haritalanması ve sinyal yolaklarının aydınlatılması çalışmaları hala devam etmektedir. Dayanıklılık gen(ler)i klonlanmasıyla bakteriyel kanser ve solgunluk hastalığının genetik kontrolü mümkün olacaktır. Eldeki veriler bakteriyel kanser ve solgunluk hastalık etmeninin mücadelesinde en uygun yöntemin genetik olarak dayanıklı domates bitkileri üretmek olduğunu göstermektedir. Genetik olarak dayanıklı domates çeşitleri üretmek uzun soluklu bir süreç olup bu çalışmada elde edilen ümitvar domates çeşitleri ters genetik yöntemiyle oluşturulmuştur.

The tomato plant is one of the most widely produced vegetables in the world. However, there are several disease factors which limit tomato production. The Clavibacter michiganensis subsp. michiganensis (Cmm) pathogen causes wilting and canker symptoms on the leaves of plants and bird’s eye symptoms on the tomato and then the plants completely die. Development of resistant tomato varieties is prerequisite due to absence of an effective control methods against the bacterial disease. The resistant M3-9 and M3-15 tomato plants have been developed because of mutation from susceptible NCEBR3 tomato seeds with ethyl methanosulfonate (EMS). For each chromosome of the tomato genome, 24 SSR markers were selected from each end of the haploid, 12 tomato chromosomes, and polymorphic differences between susceptible and resistant tomato plants were studied. Polymorphisms were found with SSR13 and SSRB18031 markers located on chromosome 5 with resistant mutants, M3-9, M3-15 and susceptible original NCEBR3 plants. It is envisaged that a resistance gene is located on the 5th chromosome of resistant M3-9 and M3-15 plants. Further fine mapping studies will reveal the location of the resistance gene(s) for controlling bacterial canker and wilting pathogen.

Tomato brown rugose fruit virus (ToBRFV) causes severe fruit loss in tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) and pepper (Capsicum annuum) plants. It is an emerging Tobamovirus that is spreading globally. The major challenge is to develop a reliable method for the detection of the virus, and to better characterize the symptoms it causes. The aims of this study, therefore, were to characterize the symptom development on tomato and pepper plants, and to establish a reliable detection method for the virus. Following infection of the tomato and pepper plants with ToBRFV, the leaves turned chlorotic, mosaic or mottled, while the fruit became rugose, necrotic and marbled, and showed discoloration with yellow or brown spots. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) revealed single rod-like virus particles characteristic of the Tobamoviruses. Classical reverse transcription PCR (RT-PCR) and quantitative PCR (qPCR) with specific primers and probes confirmed that the virus is ToBRFV. We found that the resistance genes from tomato, Tm-22, and pepper, L1, L2, L3 and L4, did not confer resistance to ToBRFV. Here, we present a PCR-based method as a diagnostic test for detecting ToBRFV in infected seeds. This method will help to prevent further spread of the virus in commercial seeds.

Orta Karadeniz Bölgesi Samsun, Tokat ve Amasya ili fasulye üretim alanlarında 2013-2014 yıllarında fasulye hale yanıklığı hastalığı etmeni Pseudomonas savastonoi pv. phaseolicola (Psp) ve adi yaprak yanıklığı hastalığı etmeni Xanthomonas axonopodis pv. phaseoli (Xap)’nin belirlenmesi için surveyler yapılmıştır. Güdümlü örnekleme yöntemiyle toplam 154 fasulye tarlası gezilerek şüpheli semptom gösteren yaprak ve meyve örnekleri toplanmıştır. İzolasyon çalışmaları sonucu 72 adet saf bakteri izolatı elde edilmiştir. Patojenisite, morfolojik, biyokimyasal testler, tanıyı destekleyici LOPAT testleri ve moleküler analizler (PCR) sonucunda 30 izolat Psp ve 17 izolat Xap olarak tanılanmıştır. Psp izolatları 8 farklı fasulye çeşidinden oluşan ırk ayrım setindeki bitkilere inokule edilmiş ve çeşitlerin verdiği reaksiyonlara göre Psp’nın ırk/ırkları belirlenmiştir. Çeşit reaksiyonlarına göre Psp izolatlarının tamamının 1 nolu ırk olduğu tespit edilmiştir. Bu çalışmada, Türkiye fasulye üretiminin % 16’sının gerçekleştiği Orta Karadeniz bölgesinde evrensel ırk ayrım seti kullanılarak Psp izolatlarının ırk düzeyinde ayrımı ilk kez yapılmıştır.

Domates Türkiye’de ve dünya’da en çok üretimi yapılan sebzelerden birisidir. Özellikle Antalya ilinde kışlık domates üretiminin %60’dan fazlası üretilmektedir. Üretimin yoğun yapıldığı domates seralarında çok ciddi biyotik hastalık etmenleri bulunmaktadır. Domateste üretimini sınırlayan önemli hastalık etmenlerinden birisi, kök ve kök boğazı çürüklüklerine neden olan Fusarium etmenleridir. Bu çalışmanın amacı; domates üretiminde sorun olan yerel Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. lycopersici izolat 14 (FOL14) ve Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. radicis-lycopersici izolat 12 (FORL12) etmenlerine karşı Amerika Domates Genetik Kaynakları Merkezinden (TGRC) temin edilen 20 domates hattının testlenerek reaksiyonlarının belirlenmesidir. Patojenisite testleri LA3473 (S. lycopersicum) bitkilerinin FORL12’ye çok hassas olduğunu ve inokulasyondan 21 gün sonra tüm bu bitkilerin öldüğünü göstermiştir. Testlenen 20 domates hattının FOL14’e karşı dayanıklı oldukları bulunmuştur. Böylece ilk defa Antalya domates üretim alanlarından izole edilen Fusarium etmenleri uluslararası bilinen 20 domates hattıyla testlenmiştir. Testlenen bu hatlar gerek anaç olarak gerekse sahip oldukları genetik dayanıklılık özellikleriyle Fusarium etmenlerinin kontrolünde kullanılabilecektir.

Cucurbits are crucial vegetable groups significantly produce in Turkey and world-wide. Powdery mildew (PM) pathogens cause economic losses in cucurbits production areas. There are not studies on resistant cucurbit varieties against to PM disease caused byPodosphaera xanthii and Golovinomyces cichoracearum. The aim of this study is to identify genetically resistant plants from landraces, wild and commercial cucurbits such as pumpkin, melon, watermelon, cucumber collected between West and East Mediterranean regions of Turkey. The PM agents were maintained on susceptible cucumber variety, Baccara. The maintained PM pathogen is identified as Podosphaera xanthii in microscopic, morphological and molecular studies. A total of 34 local, wild and commercial cucurbit species were inoculated with P. xanthi. The inoculated cucurbit plants were examined by trypan blue, diamino benzidine and 3,3'-dihexyloxacarbocynin iodide (DiOC6) staining methods during first 3 days post inoculation (dpi). On the other 7th, 14th and 21st dpi, disease developments were scored according disease scale, susceptible and resistant cucurbits’ genotypes were found. The pathogenicity test results revealed that VT18, Meltem F1, Poyraz F1 and 348 commercial cucumber varieties and Adana courgette, Kaledran cucumber 1 and Kaledran cucumber 2 landraces were the most resistant cucurbit genotypes. However, these pathogenicity tests have also resulted Kaledran melon 2 was the most susceptible landrace genotype against P. xanthii. In future studies, these resistant local, wild, and commercial genotypes will be able to use against destructive PM pathogens as sources of resistance.

The study was conducted on ACLSV (Apple Chlorotic Leafspot Virus) isolates found in samples collected from temperate zone fruit orchards in Adana and Mersin provinces and districts in the Eastern Mediterranean region of Turkey. Reported as a natural host, Styrax officinalis bush was included in the study as a different host isolate (Kayseri). Leaf and cortical samples have been tested with commercial ELISA kits for the presence of common viruses. In order to verify DAS-ELISA results, the total RNAs were used in RT-PCR test and only positive responses were obtained from ACLSV-specific antiserum and primers. ACLSV isolates obtained from different hosts in the Eastern Mediterranean region were subjected to molecular variation analyses. Possible recombination sites of ACLSV were identified in the partial sequences of coat protein genes via comparison of ACLSV sequences from the GenBank database. As a result, for the first time recombinat or variant ACLSV isolates were reported in the region. Coat Protein Nucleotide sequences based on phylogenetic trees showed that these isolates were grouped and conserved signatures of type B6 clusters. This paper confirmed that Styrax officinalis as a natural ACLSV reservoir.