Molecular detection of virus diseases in the important pepper cultivation areas in Malatya region

Surveys were carried out in 2016 and2017 in order to determine and molecularly characterize Potato virus X (PVX), Potato virus Y (PVY) and Pepper mild mottle virus (PMMV) in pepper fields of Battalgazi and Arapgir districts of Malatya. RT-PCR test was performed to 140 pepper samples showing virus-like symptoms such as chlorosis, leaf deformation and speckling. As a result of the molecular tests, no viruses have been found in collected pepper samples. In the study, molecular characterization of two PVY isolates (PVY-1 and 2), which were used as positive control in the investigation of viruses by molecular methods, was performed. In the genome of these isolates, the sequence of 359 bp for PVY-1 and 398 bp for PVY-2 were determined. Nucleotide and amino acid sequences of PVY isolates were recorded to Gene Bank with the accession numbers: MK833915 and MK833916. In comparison studies of the nucleotide sequences carried out in gene bank, it was determined that PVY-1 and PVY-2 isolates are the most identical with PVY-NTN strain. As a result of the phylogenetic analysis, carried out with the help of computer program, PVY-1 and PVY-2 isolates were exhibited a similarity of 94% and 95% with world isolates, respectively.