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Assessing risks of pine wood nematode Bursaphelenchus xylophilus transfer between wood packaging by simulating assembled pallets in service
Author(s) -
Sousa E.,
Naves P.,
Bonifácio L.,
Henriques J.,
Inácio M. L.,
Evans H.
Publication year - 2011
Publication title -
eppo bulletin
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.327
H-Index - 36
eISSN - 1365-2338
pISSN - 0250-8052
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-2338.2011.02512.x
Subject(s) - bursaphelenchus xylophilus , xylophilus , kiln , pallet , pine wood , pinus pinaster , nematode , wood drying , pulp and paper industry , solid wood , botany , horticulture , composite material , biology , moisture , materials science , ecology , mechanical engineering , layer (electronics) , engineering , metallurgy
The risks of Bursaphelenchus xylophilus (pine wood nematode) transfer in relation to wood material were assessed. Combinations of infested and non‐infested adjacent boards, long‐blocks and blocks of Pinus pinaster , simulating assembled pallets, were assessed. For the recipient wood, pieces with natural moisture content (MC), heat‐treatment (56°C for 30 min in the core) and kiln‐drying to <20% MC were tested, along with in‐service boards from pallets. Donor and recipient wood materials were kept in direct contact at 25°C or 10°C, with nine replicates per treatment. Bursaphelenchus xylophilus was found to transfer rapidly at 25°C when the wood had an MC above fibre‐saturation point (>30%). Nematode reproduction was rapid and sustained, gradually declining to zero at 40 weeks. Bursaphelenchus xylophilus did not transfer to kiln‐dried or to in‐service wood with an MC below fibre‐saturation point, or to wood at 10°C. The key factors determining nematode transfer were the ambient temperature, the nematode load of the donor wood and the MC of the recipient wood, with a ‘barrier’ of 20% MC below which it becomes unsuitable for nematode transfer. This finding indicates that there is a limited risk of spread of B. xylophilus in treated and untreated solid wood packaging materials.