Influence of fungi on multiplication and distribution of the pine wood nematode, Bursaphelenchus xylophilus, in axenized Pinus thunbergii cuttings

Abstract

Influence of fungi on multiplication and distribution of the pine wood nematode (PWN), Bursaphelenchus xylophilus, was investigated in Pinus thunbergii cuttings. Axenized nematodes and/or one of two fungi isolated from healthy and PWN-killed P. thunbergii were inoculated together into autoclaved cuttings. A close relationship between the existence and distribution of fungal hyphae, and the multiplication and distribution of PWN was observed. The PWN did not multiply when only axenized nematodes were inoculated in the absence of fungi. When fungi were present, PWN population size increased markedly. The number of nematodes was high at sites where fungal hyphae were distributed. It is suggested that the restriction of a large portion of the nematode population near the inoculation site during the early stage of disease development is closely related to restricted distribution of fungal hyphae.