FIRST REPORT OF APPLE CHLOROTIC LEAF SPOT VIRUS IN QUINCE (CYDONIA OBLONGA MILL.) IN TURKEY

Apple chlorotic leaf spot trichovirus (ACLSV) has been widely reported in stone fruits and apple trees in Turkey; however, there are no reports in quince regarding ACLSV. In a preliminary survey for the assessment of the sanitary status of quince in Ankara province, some virus symptoms including yellow rings, lines and spots were observed on the leaves of quince trees. During the surveys, 36 orchards were sampled at vegetation period of 2005−2006. From 36 orchards 189 leaf samples were collected and tested. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA) were conducted for Apple chlorotic leaf spot trichovirus (ACLSV), Apple mosaic ilarvirus (ApMV) and Apple stem pitting virus (ASPV). Twelve of the one hundred eighty nine samples showing virus symptoms reacted positively to ACLSV. Some of these samples were mechanically inoculated to a standard series of herbaceous plants. ACLSV was also recovered by sap transmission tests. Therefore, serological test results were confirmed with biological assays. This is the first report of ACLSV in quince in Turkey.