Detection and Characterization of Phytoplasmas in Some Cucurbits (Cucurbitaceae) and Bindweed (Convolvuluceae) in Hatay Province of Turkey

Aims: During a disease survey conducted in 2019, typical symptoms including yellowing of the leaves, stunting, shortening internodes, proliferation auxiliary shoots (witches'-broom), bunchy appearance growth at ends stems (rosetting), virescence flowers or sterility, phyllody, small and deformed leaves fasciation were observed on suspected cucurbit plants growing Hatay province. Therefore, this study was carried out to determine phytoplasma infection(s) crops bindweed province Turkey.Methods Results: In total; 4 pumpkins (winter squash: Cucurbita moschata Duchesne), 12 summer squash (Cucurbita pepo L.) 2 (Convolvulus arvensis samples collected from fields Some (2 pumpkins, 10 bindweeds) exhibited related phytoplasmas. Total nucleic acid extracted by CTAB method. PCR amplification 16S rDNA with specific primer pairs; F1/R0 followed R16F2n/R2 confirmed presence. Expected size amplicons ~1.2 kb obtained infected symptomatic cucurbits (12/12) (1/2), but not asymptomatic (0/4). The sequences deposited NCBI GenBank (MT163353, MT163393, MT163396, MT163469).Conclusions: After sequencing phylogenetic analyses it revealed that isolates had 99% sequence identity “Candidatus trifolii” (16SrVI) isolate solani” (16SrXII).Significance Impact Study: There is lack knowledge status infections natural hosts Turkey. According our knowledge, first report member 16SrVI group, Candidatus trifolii associated infection winter squash-pumpkin (C. moschata) pepo)