Grapevines in central Anatolia region of Turkey were surveyed for the prevalence of grapevine leafroll viruses. The field study and collection of samples were conducted in nine major grapevine-growing areas. Samples collected from 622 vines were tested for Grapevine leafroll-associated virus 1, 2, 3 and 7 (GLRaV-1, -2, -3 and -7). According to diagnostic tests and surveys, 27 of 41 cultivars and 95 of 622 samples (15.27%) were found to be infected at least one virus. GLRaV-1 (8.36%) was found to be the most frequently encountered virus associated with leafroll disease of grapes, followed by GLRaV-3 (5.78%), GLRAV-7 (3.86%) and GLRAV-2 (2.41%).

The Medicago sativa–falcata complex includes the economically important forage legume alfalfa and its primary gene pool. The complex includes both diploid and tetraploid taxa, which are usually designated as distinct subspecies. The relationships among wild diploid members of the complex have been clarified using molecular markers, but the relationship among unimproved tetraploid germplasm is poorly understood. Our aim was to investigate the population genetic structure of the tetraploid Medicago sativa–falcata complex to deduce the amount and pattern of genetic diversity using genome‐wide simple‐sequence repeat (SSR) markers. We used 70 tetraploid accessions (280 genotypes) from the USDA National Plant Germplasm Collection that were collected from throughout the entire natural distribution range of the species and that represented putative wild populations. Population genetic analyses were conducted to determine the patterns of demarcation among accessions and germplasm groups. Model‐based cluster analysis indicated that tetraploid alfalfa has two main groups corresponding to the subspecies sativa and falcata. Medicago sativa subsp. ×varia produced a hybrid pattern in between M. sativa subsp. sativa and M. sativa subsp. falcata. The studies also revealed that there is a spatial genetic structure among subsp. falcata accessions, implying that extensive sampling from different localities for curation of alfalfa genetic resources is important.

ABSTRACT:Leafroll is one of the most important virus diseases of vineyards of Central Anatolia region. Grapevine leafroll associated viruses GLRaV-1 and GLRaV-3 are the most frequently encountered viruses related with leafroll disease of grapes. The effect of leafroll disease on yield and fruit quality was studied. The disease caused in the average 31.22% decrease of berry weights and 28.72% reduction in total soluble solids, while titratable acidity was increased by 24.39%. The reaction of local cultivars to mixed infections of GLRaV-1 and GLRaV-3 was evaluated and Parmak, Kara dirmit, Kara gevrek and Gül üzümü cultivars were considered to be the most sensitive local cultivars to GLRaV-1 and GLRaV-3.

The genus Medicago is an important component of legumes and includes the model legume barrel‐clover (Medicago truncatula Gaertn.) and widely cultivated forage crop alfalfa (M. sativa L.). The complex taxonomic group known as the M. sativa species complex, or M. sativa–falcata species complex, includes a number of taxa along with cultivated alfalfa that naturally distributed throughout northern Eurasia. Largely because of the millennia‐long economic importance, the taxa have been in the center of attention. In the context of the efforts to understand taxonomic units included in the complex, a wide range of tools have been exploited. The early tools available were morphological traits such as flower color, pod shape, and pollen shape. The large conflict and discrepancy among researchers regarding the statue of the taxa sourced from the fact that a few genes controlled each of the morphological traits used. Thus, the morphology‐based classification was proved to be contradictory. As the molecular tools became available and the research intensified, the initial species status generously granted to the taxa was questioned, and all the taxa denoted as species earlier were relegated to subspecific level. We are aiming to provide an up‐to‐date comprehensive picture for the complex in the light of recent molecular studies.

To investigate the relationship of IL-1β and IL-6 cytokine gene polymorphisms with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) in 61 patients admitted to the neurology clinic in Kafkas University Hospital with insomnia problem who were diagnosed with OSAS in sleeping labs, and 80 healthy subjects not associated with the syndrome.