Investigation of biological properties, double-stranded RNA patterns and antigen concentration in Satsuma Owari mandarins infected with Citrus tristeza virus in Aegean region of Turkey

In this study, biological properties and dsRNA patterns of nine Aegean region Turkish isolates of Citrus tristeza virus were investigated. In addition, CTV antigen concentration and effect of tissue sampling time taken from naturally affected Satsuma Owari mandarin plant grown in the field of Balikesir province were also determined. The results indicated that nine isolates graft inoculated to a set of indicator plants did not show any symptoms on sour orange, grapefruit and sweet orange plants or did not cause any stunting when compared with healthy control. However, all isolates showed vein clearing symptoms on Mexican lime. All nine strains showed full length of major dsRNA band of 13.3×106 Da MW on Madam Vinous plant. Moreover, they showed three full lengths of major or minor dsRNA bands with 2.0, 0.8 and 0.5×106 MW. All four different citrus varieties inoculated with KE-5 strain showed full length of major dsRNA. The additional two dsRNA of 0.8 and 0.5×106 MW were also detected as clear as full-length of dsRNA in four hosts, but recovery of these bands were less visible in sour orange. The highest ELISA value was obtained in March and April and then steadily decreased until September and then again gradually increased through December. ELISA value was the lowest in September. DsRNA recovery from a single isolate of CTV EK-2 grown in the field was good in March, April, May and June and it was poor in January, February, July, August, November and December. No dsRNA band was detected in September and October. © 2008 Asian Network for Scientific Information.