Molecular investigation of citrus stubborn disease in different plants

In this study, determination of weeds and citrus samples by PCR test, which are hosted by citrus stubborn disease, seen in Washington Navel, Valencia orange and Satsuma mandarin orchards grown in Kozan, Yüreğir and Karataş districts of Adana, Tarsus district of Mersin, Erzin district of Hatay and molecular similarity ratios of isolates were investigated. A total of 45 samples showing disease symptoms were collected from 12 citrus orchards.20 of these samples collected from the citrus orchard were weeds and 25 of them were citrus leaf and fruit samples. To determine the molecular characterization of the samples, PCR test was applied and primer P89-r/f was used. 18 out of 45 samples gave positive results. From the weed samples; Portulaca oleracea (Purslane), Euphorbia prostrata (Creeping Euphorbia), Dinebra retroflexa (Sparse Brush Grass), Mercurialis annua (Ground Basil), Conyza canadensis (Healing Grass), Solanum nigrum (Handspice) gave positive results. In order to determine the molecular characterization of the samples, a total of 4 samples, one from each region, were sent for the sequence and a phylogenetic tree was created in order to determine the similarity of the studied isolates with Turkish and foreign isolates. The Spiroplasma citri isolates in the study showed 96% to 100% similarity with the closest isolates in the NCBI data.