Investigation of phytoplasma diseases in corn production areas of Diyarbakir province by molecular methods

Survey were conducted in 2016 in order to investigate possible phytoplasma diseases in the main corn production areas of Diyarbakır province. The presence of 'Candidatus phytoplasma asteris', 'Candidatus phytoplasma solani' and Spiroplasma kunkelii phytoplasms in the collected samples were investigated by Nested-PCR method using universal primers. Positive and negative controls were included in each PCR assay. In the survey studies conducted, it was observed that the proportion of plants showing phytoplasma-like symptoms in maize plants was much less than 1%. The observations were confirmed the laboratory test results. None of the 225 corn samples collected from the Diyarbakır province and its districts were found infected by any phytoplasma diseases screened in this study. According to the test results obtained, it has been understood that phytoplasma-like symptoms observed in maize plants were derived from other biotic or abiyotic disease factors. The fact that phytoplasma and spiroplasma diseases have not been detected in the corn cultivated in the region is considered as an important chance for Diyarbakır's maize cultivation.