Symptoms such as severe mosaic, yellowing and necrosis of leaves have been observed in iris (Iris spp.) plants for many years. In this study, the presence of potyvirus species that can cause similar symptoms in iris plants was investigated. Field surveys were carried out in the province of Bilecik in the South Marmara region-Türkiye in the year 2022. In the study, a total of 41 iris plants were collected, including 34 symptomatic and 7 asymptomatic ones. Potyvirus infections were detected by conventional molecular methods using degenerate primers for amplification of the partial NIb (nuclear inclusion protein b) gene region specific to the genus Potyvirus. As a result of the molecular assays, potyvirus infection was detected in 6 plants showing symptoms caused by viruses. After nucleotide sequencing of the 6 Potyvirus fragments obtained, the infections were determined to be caused by iris severe mosaic virus (ISMV). These isolates showed over 94% nucleotide similarity among themselves and 82-99% similarity with the global isolate. Phylogenetic analyses showed that Potyvirus species were successfully separated among themselves according to the NIb gene region obtained with these degenerate primers.

This study was conducted with the aim of determining the results of effective fungicides against Rhizoctonia solani AG 4 and their combinations with different doses of activators, as well as identifying an environmentally friendly method of combating the disease using low fungicide doses. The effect of different doses of two fungicides, found to be effective against the fungus in in vitro conditions, in combination with Lactobacillus acidophilus, Arthrobacter sp., and Harpin Protein was initially determined through pot experiments under greenhouse conditions. The effects of two combinations, which were found to be successful in pot experiments, were investigated against the disease under field conditions in Antalya and Ankara. According to the trial results in field conditions, the highest efficacy was observed with the combination of Arthrobacter sp.-(Prothioconazole+Spiroxamine) at the recommended dose (100 mL da-1), with a percentage of 90.77. This was followed by the combination of Arthrobacter sp.-(Prothioconazole+Spiroxamine) at a reduced fungicide dose (50 mL da-1), which achieved an efficacy of 88.37%. When used alone against the disease, Arthrobacter sp., Lactobacillus acidophilus, and Harpin Protein exhibited low efficacy values of 46.20%, 39.73%, and 23.40%, respectively, placing them at the lower end. As a result, it has been concluded that the application of Arthrobacter sp.-(Prothioconazole+Spiroxamine) at the 1st lower dose (50 mL da-1) can be effective in combating Rhizoctonia solani AG 4 in turf areas as an environmentally friendly control practice due to the use of low fungicide doses.

The main purpose of the study was to clarify the effect of selenium (Se) on DNA damage and DNA methylation in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) plants exposed to polyethylene glycol (PEG)-induced drought stress under in vitro tissue culture. Random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) and coupled restriction enzyme digestion-random amplification (CRED-RA) were utilized to explain the DNA damage grade and variations in DNA methylation patterns, respectively. The outcomes indicate that drought stress gives rise to a rise in RAPD profile variations (as DNA damage) and a decrease in genomic template stability (GTS) rate and DNA methylation changes. According to the RAPD data, the greatest GTS value was computed at 56.9% (5% PEG 6000), and the lowest GTS value was 41.2% (15% PEG 6000), demonstrating the adverse effects of PEG 6000. However, DNA damage can be reduced by treatment with sodium selenate (2, 4, and 6 µM of Na2SeO4) together with PEG (5%, 10%, and 15% PEG 6000)-induced water deficits. Moreover, according to CRED-RA analysis, PEG-induced DNA methylation rates were changed after treating different doses of Se. These data demonstrate that Se dose-dependently modulates both DNA damage and methylation alterations induced by drought in wheat.