INCIDENCE OF GRAPEVINE PINOT GRIS VIRUS IN THE WESTERN BLACK SEA REGION, TURKEY AND PHYLOGENETIC ANALYSIS BASED ON COAT PROTEIN AND MOVEMENT PROTEIN GENES

The aim of this research was to detect the presence of GPGV and to perform phylogenetic analysis of the isolates obtained from different vineyards in Turkey based on the partial coat protein and movement protein gene.A total of 418 grapevine samples were systematically collected from vineyards situated in Amasya, orum, and Tokat during the 2017 growing season.These regions hold commercial importance in viticulture in the Western Black Sea Region of Turkey.The collected samples were subjected to comprehensive testing for the presence of Grapevine Pinot gris virus (GPGV).Detection was performed using Reverse Transcription-Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) based on the CP and MP gene regions.The infection rate was estimated at 15.87% based on the results of the molecular assays.Seven PCR products were selected and sequenced from both the partial CP and MP gene regions.According to the phylogenetic analysis, all GPGV isolates which belong to the movement protein region obtained in this study, 3 other Turkish isolates and 2 Czech Republic isolates showed the highest similarity.However, the GPGV isolates which belong to the coat protein region were closely grouped with the other Turkish and Slovenian isolates.This study revealed, for the first time, the existence of Grapevine Pinot gris virus (GPGV) in vineyards in the Western Black Sea Region of Turkey, and provided additional Turkish isolates which suggest new insights into genetic variability research.