Detection of Alfalfa Mosaic Virus (AMV) in Potato Production Areas in Hatay Province of Turkey

Symptomatic potato plants were found to be infected with Alfalfa mosaic virus (AMV) during the studies in potato growing areas in Hatay province in 2009 and 2010. Suspected plant samples were taken from different potato cultivars and weeds in 2014-2015 due to determine of the presence and prevalence of AMV and its other hosts in the fields. Potential vector species as Aphis fabae Scopoli, A. gossypii Glover, A. solanella Theobald, Myzus persicae (Sulzer), Macrosiphum euphorbiae (Thomas) and Rhopalosiphum padi L. were intensively found on weeds in the potato fields. Potato leaf samples showing yellow spots and patterns, and then severe chlorosis were detected by serological (DAS ELISA: Double antibody sandwich-Enzyme linked immunosorbent assay) and biological indexing methods. AMV was detected in Physalis angulata by the rate of 15.3% in 2014. Although, AMV infection was found in low levels in symptomatic potato plants in 2014 and 2015 (5.4% and 4.6%), AMV is important in Amik plain due to the virus can be transmitted by vector aphids to weeds and other crops mainly growing in Amik plain such as alfalfa, tomato and pepper or from these sources to potatoes. AMV infection began to be affected potatoes grown in Hatay during the last few years. Seed tubers infected by AMV are thought to be the source of the virus infection of potatoes growing in Hatay-Turkey. For monitoring of the status of the virus in potato fields over the years, the studies on AMV infection on potatoes, weeds and other hosts are in progress.