Diseases and Their Prevalence on Pomegranate Orchards in Ayd？n Province

This study was conducted to determine the presence and prevalence of fungal and bacterial diseases of pomegranate orchards in the counties of Ayd？n province between the years 2009 and 2011. For this purpose, surveys were performed in 96 pomegranate orchards from flowering period to the end of the harvest in 16 counties. Results indicate that 4,7 % of the total of trees examined (17125) showed wilting symptoms. Fruits were 8,1 % of fruits showed rotting, while 8,8 % suffered loss of market value due to cracks developed prior to harvesting. Samples collected and isolations were made from plant root and crowns of displaying wilting symptoms. Among isolates, 64,4% were identified as Fusariumspp., while 13,6% were Cytospora spp., 3,4% were both Cytosporaand Fusarium. Trichothecium roseum (1,7%). Rhizoctonia solani, Phytophthorasp., Gliocladium sp. and Alternariasp. were also obtained infected plants. However, 10,2% of the isolates were unidentified. Pathogencity studies carried out with Fusarium and Cytosporaspecies revealed that all Cytosporaspecies were pathogens while 69,5% of Fusariumspecies were found to be pathogens. Isolates of infected fruits revealed that Altenariaspp. showed the highest incidence levels at 28,3 % followed by Aspergillus spp. at 19,6 %, Penicilliumspp. at 13,1 %, Coniella granatiat 8,7 % and Cytospora spp. at 8,7 %. Others identified as Gliocladiom spp., Trichodermaspp. and Fusariumspp. As a result ofsurveys carried out in Ayd？n province, no evidence of bacterial diseases was found in pomegranate trees