Identification, genotypic characterization of causal agent of cherry bacterial canker in Marmara region and determination of suspectibility against different compound

Cherry bacterial branch canker disease caused by Pseudomonas syringae causes serious economic losses in cherry trees. In this study, the diagnosis of 82 isolates, isolated from the cherry production areas in Marmara Region between 2016 and 2018 years, were determined by using classical, biochemical, molecular tests. Genetic characterization and phylogenetic relationship among the isolates were determined by using ERIC-, REP-, BOX-PCR and Multilocus Sequence Analysis (MLSA). Four different housekeeping genes (gyrB, rpoDs, rpoDp and gltA) have been used in MLSA studies. As a result of the study, 63 isolates obtained from diseased plants, were identified as Pseudomonas syringae pv. syringae according to classical, biochemical and molecular analyses. According to MLSA studies, Pseudomonas syringae pv. syringae isolates showed affinity with Pseudomonas syringae pv. atrofaciens and Pseudomonas avellane. DNA sequences of representative isolates were recorded in the NCBI database. In the study, antibacterial activities of copper oxychloride, copper sulphate, copper hydroxide, maneb, mancozeb and Bordeaux mixture (calcium hydroxide+copper sulphate) were also determined in vitro conditions. All preparations used have been found to be effective on in vitro inhibition of bacterial population. In the field studies, copper hydroxide, copper oxychloride, copper sulfate, fosetyl-Al and copper salts + mancozeb were used to prevent disease development and occurrence. As a result of the study, copper hydroxide reduced the disease severity by 85,72% compared to control. Key words: Cherry, copper, MLSA, phlylogenetic