Co-Authors:
Buzkan, N., Department of Plant Protection, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Kahramanmaraş Stç Imam, 46100, Kahramanmaraş, Turkey
Karadag, S., Pistachio Research Institute, Gaziantep, Turkey
Kaya, A., Southeast Anatolia Agricultural Research Institute, Diyarbakr, Turkey
Baloglu, S., Department of Plant Protection, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Çukurova, 01330, Adana, Turkey
Minafra, A., Istituto di Virologia Vegetale Del CNR, BARI, Italy
Ben-Dov, Y., Department of Entomology, Agricultural Research Organization, Volcani Center, Bet Dagan, Israel
Abstract:
Vineyards in Turkey were surveyed from July-August of 2006-2007 for the presence of mealybug infestation and the viral agents of leafroll and rugose wood diseases, namely vitiviruses and ampeloviruses, respectively. Plant and insect samples in the main grape-growing regions were collected and processed for nucleic acid isolation. The reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was used to detect the insect-transmitted Grapevine virus A (GVA) and B (GVB) (Vitivirus) and Grapevine leafroll-associated virus-1 (GLRaV-1) and 3 (GLRaV-3) (Ampelovirus). All viruses except GVB were detected in the samples. Planococcus ficus (Signoret) is the only mealybug species found to be widespread in the sampled areas. This is the first epidemiological study of these viruses and their potential vector in Turkey. © 2012 The Canadian Phytopathological Society.