DETERMINATION OF VIRUSES IN IMPORTED FRUIT PROPAGATION MATERIALS

The study was carried out to determine viral agents in the samples of imported fruit propagation materials with Phytosanitary Certificate dependant upon Turkish Regulation on Agricultural Quarantine in 2000−2005. A total of 114 fruit propagation material samples (rootstock and seedling varieties) were tested by Double antibody sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (DAS-ELISA) and Compound Direct ELISA serological method. In this study, 26 apple rootstock samples and 17 apple seedling samples were tested for presence of Apple mosaic virus (ApMV) and Apple chlorotic leaf spot virus (ACLSV), 5 pear rootstock samples and 6 pear seedling samples were tested for presence of Apple chlorotic leaf spot virus (ACLSV). Eight cherry rootstock samples, 25 cherry seedling samples, 8 peach rootstock samples, 11 peach seedling samples, 6 plum rootstock samples and 2 plum seedling samples were tested for presence of Prunus necrotic ringspot virus (PNRSV), Prune dwarf virus (PDV), Plum pox virus (PPV), Cherry leaf roll virus (CLRV), Tomato ringspot virus (ToRSV), Peach rosette mosaic virus (PRMV) and American plum line pattern virus (APLPV). As a result of the tests, PNRSV was detected in 1 plum rootstock sample, PDV was found in 2 cherry seedling samples and PPV was present in 3 samples (peach rootstock, cherry rootstock and seedling). Mixed (complex) infections (PDV+PPV) were seen in 1 cherry seedling sample. The same samples were found free from CLRV, ToRSV, PRMV and APLPV. Apple and pear rootstock and seedling samples were found free from tested viruses. According to ELISA results, 6.13% of fruit propagation material samples desired to be imported in Turkey was found infected with one or two viruses.