Detection of mirafiori lettuce big vein virus in lettuce growing areas of Antalya province

This study was conducted for detection of mirafiori lettuce big vein virus (MiLBVV) in the fields where the lettuce production in Antalya province in 2019-2021 years. A total 240 plant samples were collected from fields and all samples were tested for MiLBVV using specific antiserum in a double antibody sandwich enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (DAS-ELISA). 44 samples were found to be infected with MiLBVV. MiLBVV infection ratio was determined in %18.33 of field samples. 29 samples with a high absorbance value out of 44 samples that tested positive as a result of the DAS-ELISA test were used for total RNA isolation and Reverse Transcription Polimerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) studies. In RT-PCR studies, specific primer pairs were used for MiLBVV and 469 bp fragments of MiLBVV representing the coat protein region was amplified and observed under the UV light. The respected size of band for MiLBVV was observed on agarose gel electrophoresis. In order to determine the fungal structures of the vector fungus Olpidium spp. for lettuce roots were stained in trypan blue solution and examined the fungal spore structures with a light microscope. In this study, the presence of MiLBVV was revealed for the first time in lettuce production areas in Antalya province.