Detection and Partial Molecular Characterization of Tomato chlorosis virus Isolates from Tomato Production Greenhouses in Antalya Province Using hsp70h Gene

Abstract

Tomato chlorosis virus (ToCV) has been spreading in tomato production area of the world, particularly in the Mediterranean countries in recent years. The presence of the virus in Turkey was detected in Fethiye in 2008, but the presence of the virus in most important tomato production region, Antalya Province, is not yet known. In this study, a survey was conducted in Antalya Merkez and Kumluca districts and 50 samples were collected from 12 different tomato production greenhouses. After total nucleic acid isolation, all samples were tested for the presence of the ToCV by amplification of the heat shock protein 70 homologue gene (hsp70h) with gene-specific primers using nested RT-PCR method. The nested PCR test revealed that 25 of 50 tomato samples (50%) were infected with ToCV. These results showed the presence of ToCV in Antalya province for the first time and demonstrated that the virus is widely distributed in the region. The hsp70h genes of two isolates from Antalya Merkez and Kumluca districts were sequenced and used for comparison and phylogenetic analysis with each other and hsp70h genes of ToCV isolates from different tomato production area of the world retriwed from GenBank databases. As results of these analyses up to 5% genetic difference was determined among ToCV isolates from different regions and ToCV isolates were phylogenetically divided into two main groups. It was also determined that the phylogenetic groups formed may be associated with geographical origin of ToCV isolates.