First report of Verticillium dahliae causing Verticillium wilt on kiwifruit in Ordu, Turkey

Abstract

During survey studies conducted in July 2016, symptoms of Verticillium wilt were observed with an incidence of up to 2% in three kiwifruit orchards in Ordu province of Turkey. Infected kiwifruits exhibited leaf chlorosis, scorch and defoliation, and discoloration in vascular tissue of the stem. After surface sterilization with 0.5% sodium hypochloride for 1 min, small pieces of stem tissue taken from diseased plants were rinsed twice in sterile distilled water, and dried on sterile filter papers in a sterile cabinet.