DETECTION OF SOME VIRUSES OF STONE FRUITS IN PURPLE LEAF PLUM (PRUNUS CERASIFERA) AS ORNAMENTAL PLANT IN THE EASTERN MEDITERRANEAN REGION OF TURKEY

Field inspection and sample collection were carried out in purple leaf plum (Prunus cerasifera) which is planted as an ornamental tree in Adana, Hatay and Mersin provinces in the eastern Mediterranean Region of Turkey during early spring and early autumn in 2004. A total of 57 samples (shoots and leaves) having different symptoms such as reduced growth, few and small leaves with green ring mottle, vein clearing, yellow or necrotic spots, chlorosis or discoloration were collected and tested for the presence of Apple chlorotic leaf spot trichovirus (ACLSV), Apple mosaic ilarvirus (ApMV), Cherry leaf roll nepovirus (CLRV), Prune dwarf ilarvirus (PDV), Prunus necrotic ringspot ilarvirus (PNRSV) and Plum pox potyvirus (PPV) by using DAS-ELISA. According to serological assays, the most common virus was PDV with the rate of 4/57. It was followed by PNRSV (3/57) and ACLSV (1/57). Mixed or single infections with ApMV and PPV were not detected in the samples. Although, P. cerasifera trees infected with different important viruses were far from commercial pome and stone fruit orchards, they seemed to be unhealthy as ornamental plants in the cities, and they must be as reservoirs of these viruses for susceptible ornamental or fruit species in the region. Further studies are necessary to investigate other common ornamental species (mother plants or production materials, especially) for the presence of the main viruses by sensitive methods.