Pathotypes of the Pinewood Nematode Bursaphelenchus xylophilus

Abstract

An isolate of Bursaphelenchus xylophilus from Pinus sylvestris in Missouri infected and reproduced in 2-3-year-old seedlings of P. sylvestris and to some extent in seedlings of P. nigra. Wilting, however, occurred only in P. sylvestris. B. xylophilus isolated from P. strobus in Vermont infected and reproduced only in P. strobus seedlings. P. taeda seedlings were resistant to both of these isolates. Phytotoxin production was seen only in susceptible seedling species-nematode combinations. Significant water loss occurred only in those seedlings that were wilted because of infection by a compatible nematode isolate. Our results suggest that these isolates are pathotypes of B. xylophilus.

Keywords: Pinus nigra; Pinus strobus; Pinus sylvestris; Pinus taeda; nematode pathotypes; pathology; phytotoxin; pinewood nematode; resistance; susceptibility.