Determination of pathogenicity of Bursaphelenchus species on different pine species under natural conditions in Duzce

Akbulut, Suleyman/0000-0002-1497-3562WOS: 000458305800010The pinewood nematode, Bursaphelenchus xylophilus is a pathogen of conifer forest trees. This pest is characterized by the sudden death of infected pine trees. In this study, pathogenicity tests of six native Bursaphelenchus species (B. mucronatus, B. sexdentati, B. anamurius, B. vallesianus, B. andrassyi and B. hellenicus) on three pine species (Pinus pinaster, P. nigra and P. sylvestris) using two inoculum doses under natural conditions were conducted. For each treatment, 8 trees of each species were inoculated. For each tree species 8 trees were used as control groups. Inoculated trees were monitored for a year after inoculation. Monthly oleoresin flow measurements were carried out and external symptoms (foliage coloration) observed. Nematode inoculated trees did not die at the end of the study. The amount of oleoresin flow differed significantly among tree species. Inoculated Bursaphelenchus species did not cause any significant difference in the oleoresin flow between inoculated and uninoculated trees. We concluded that Bursaphelenchus species used in this study were not pathogenic to pine trees growing under natural forest stand conditions.Duzce UniversityDuzce University [2015.02.02.338]This study is supported by Duzce University, Research Fund Project Number 2015.02.02.338. The authors greatly acknowledged the assistance and permission of General Directorate of Forestry, Bolu Regional Directorate of Forestry. The authors thank to Abdulmutalip Ozturk and Eyup Ozturk for their help during field studies. The authors also kindly thank Dr. W. T. Stamps (University of Missouri-Columbia, USA) for his review of the manuscript