PHRAME progress reports

Objectives for years 1 and 2

To develop and agree protocols for sampling and study of the biology of pinewood nematode (Bursaphelenchus xylophilus) and its vectors in the genus Monochamus.
To develop and implement procedures for collection and mass production of different geographic sources of pinewood nematode.
To develop techniques for identification of nematodes and to use the information to assess possible pathways for movement of B. xylophilus into Europe.
To develop techniques and carry out studies on the pathogenicity of different strains of pinewood nematode in seedling trees and in standing trees in the affected zone in Portugal.
To set up a Consortium website and to develop a comprehensive literature database.
To develop models to link tree growth processes to environmental factors as a prelude to a new Pest Risk Analysis model.

Summary:

Sampling protocols for vectors were developed and surveys carried out in Portugal, Spain and Austria.
Surveys for Bursaphelenchus spp. were carried out in Austria, Portugal, Spain, France and UK.
Eco-climatic data, including maps, National Forestry Inventory, land use cover, forest fire outbreaks and hazards are being gathered.
Extensive literature surveys have been used to assess potential methods for accurate early detection of wilt expression in standing trees. Tests to measure water/nutrient flow, electrical resistance and sound and oleoresin flow have been evaluated.
Cultures of B. xylophilus have been established and include two populations from Portugal, one from China, one from Canada and several other Bursaphelenchus spp. from China, Italy, Germany and Turkey.
Protocols for inoculation of seedling trees were developed and tests carried out on 13 conifer species (9 of Pinus, 2 of Larix, 1 each of Abies and Picea).
Reference isolates of B. xylophilus have been obtained from China, Canada, Japan, Korea, Portugal and USA and further work to obtain isolates from Mexico and Taiwan is underway.
Revision of papers and other information on pinewood nematode has been completed.
A secure website to allow data transfer and confidential information flow between partners has been set up.

Summary:

Using standard protocols from year 1, vector surveys were carried out in Austria, Germany, Portugal and Spain.
Further surveys for Bursaphelenchus spp. were carried out in Portugal, Spain and France.
Portuguese data on temperatures (a range of parameters), soil characteristics, fire outbreaks, tree felling, incidence of B. xylophilus, evapotranspiration as well as satellite imagery have been gathered.
Further experiments on electrical conductivity were carried out in Portugal at Tróia and Companhia das Lezírias.
Strains of B. xylophilus from USA (2), Portugal (2) and Korea (3) were maintained and included in the permanent collection.
Three inoculation trials in climate chambers (1210 seedlings) to test relative pathogenicities of the Portuguese strain of B. xylophilus were performed.
No further strains of B. xylophilus have been obtained. Culturing of existing strains continues, although one strain from Taiwan could not be retained because of contamination.
Further additions of papers and other information on pinewood nematode have been made to the bibliographic database.
Considerable effort has gone into development of a process-based approach to understanding the mechanisms that lead to wilt expression in trees where nematodes have been introduced during maturation feeding.

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