Abstract
At a global scale, the sustainability of forests is endangered by multiple invasive species, including the pine wood nematode (Bursaphelenchus xylophilus), a quarantine pest. International laws and standards require that all exported wood coming from countries in which B. xylophilus is present be chemically or physically treated. Since a major fumigant, methyl bromide, was banned, there has been a need to generate data for alternative fumigants, such as ethanedinitrile (EDN), for this purpose. Since the field screening of fumigants (i.e., the application of various doses to and exposure times of naturally infested wood logs) is prohibitively expensive, the aim of this study was to develop a quick and inexpensive laboratory method. Here, we suggest and describe an innovative method based on sawdust cultures for EDN efficacy screening. In the validation part of this study, we demonstrated (i) the high survival of the nematodes in the sawdust and (ii) the high efficacy of EDN against this pest under in vitro conditions; 100% mortality was observed after 6 h of EDN exposure to a dose of 25 g/m3. In particular, our newly developed model system could be used for the initial screening of various doses of and exposure protocols for EDN and similar types of fumigants developed with the intention of regulating B. xylophilus occurrence in exported wood. It is believed that the validated method may help to develop new and effective EDN fumigation procedures and thereby contribute to the long-term protection of forests worldwide.
Highlights
The sustainability of forests is endangered by multiple invasive species [1]
The pine wood nematode (Bursaphelenchus xylophilus; (Steiner and Buhrer) Nickle, Nematoda), a serious pest of European and Asian Pinus conifers, is not an exception. The outbreak of this phytoparasitic nematode in Portugal [3] led to the adoption of immense control measures, including the establishment of a clear cut zone [4], the current situation, with a recent B. xylophilus detection in Spain [5] and common occurrence of B. xylophilus beetle vectors (Monochamus sp.) in Europe, provides a chance for this pest to further expand on this continent [6]
It is impossible to perform research on the efficacy of ethanedinitrile against B. xylophilus in naturally infested logs under conditions found in the Czech Republic in a fumigation chamber, as the pest is not present in this country and the transport of infested wood would present an unacceptable phytosanitary risk
Summary
The sustainability of forests is endangered by multiple invasive species [1]. An effort to develop an alternative method utilizing chemical treatments exists Research on this topic intensified after methyl bromide was banned [9], as this substance was routinely used as a wood fumigant. EDN, in particular, has certain advantages when used as a wood fumigant: it penetrates wood fairly well and is heavier than air and other gasses; it is easy to apply and seal under a sheet (e.g., on lumber stored in stockpiles covered with plastic sheets). It decomposes rapidly into nontoxic products [15] and does not interact with the treated wood. EDN has potential as a phytosanitary alternative to methyl bromide (MB) for the treatment of logs [18]
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