Detection of the alfalfa mosaic virus in pepper fields in Adana and Mersin

Our region is located close to the widely reported Kahramanmaraş and Şanlıurfa pepper growing area where we have inverstigated to see the presence of Alfalfa Mosaic Virus (Alfalfa Mosaic Virus AMV) on pepper plants. The research was emphaised on identification of AMV by serological , biological and moleculer assaysThe study was conducted in 2010 and 2011.Samples were collected from the infected pepper and clover plants leaves exspressing the virus like diseases symptoms . 327 pepper and 30 alfalfa plant samples were collected and examined by DAS-ELISA method, Among the samplestested ,the rate of infection was found as a 6.4% and 53.3% on pepper and alfalfa plants respectively.The mechanically inoculated pepper plants exspressed as light ,calico and mosaic types of symptoms on the leaves. The germinated pepper seedlings did not give any type of symptoms hovewer the retardation on the pepper plants were observed.The infected pepper plants and their seeds samples tested by PCR showed a specific 351 bp bands of AMV in agarose gels.