Characterization of an emerging isolate of watermelon mosaic virus in Turkey

A watermelon mosaic virus isolate (WMV-Tr) was obtained from a naturally infected watermelon (Citrullus lanatus (Thunb.) Matsum. and Nakai) plant with mosaic, mottle and leaf deformation symptoms collected in the major cucurbit-growing area in Adana province of Turkey during a survey conducted in May 2009. DAS-ELISA and RT-PCR showed the presence of watermelon mosaic virus (WMV, Potyvirus) in the sample. WMV-Tr was characterized biologically and its partial coat protein genome sequence was established. WMV-Tr had biological properties similar to those reported for the WMV isolates from different parts of the world. WMV-Tr belonged to molecular group 3, containing Asian isolates of WMV as well as isolates currently emerging in different parts of the world including Europe. This suggests recent emergence of Group 3 isolates in Turkey. © 2015 Friends Science Publishers