Effect of electron beam irradiation on the pine wood nematode, Bursaphelenchus xylophilus

Abstract

Purpose

Reproduction inhibition of the pine wood nematode (PWN) by electron beam (e-beam) irradiation both in vitro and in vivo was tested to determine if ionizing radiation could control the PWN by reducing survival and preventing reproduction, thus reducing the risk of pine wilt disease (PWD) spread.

Materials and methods

E-beam (10 MeV) irradiation treatment at different doses (0–4 kGy) was applied to PWNs in a Petri dish. Treatment of pine wood logs infested with PWNs was performed at 10 kGy. Mortality was determined by comparing the survival rates before and after irradiation treatment. DNA damage by e-beam irradiation (0–10 kGy) in the PWN was determined using the comet assay.

Results

E-beam irradiation increased mortality and suppressed reproduction with increasing doses. The lethal dose (LD) values (kGy) were estimated as follows: LD₅₀ = 2.32, LD₉₀ = 5.03, and LD₉₉ = 9.48. E-beam irradiation of pine wood logs significantly suppressed PWN reproduction. Comets of e-beam-irradiated cells showed an increased tail DNA level and moment with an increasing dose.

Conclusion

This study suggests that e-beam irradiation could be used as an alternative method for the management of pine wood logs infested with PWNs.

Keywords:

• Phytosanitary
• ionizing radiation
• Pinus spp. Monochamus spp.
• pest management

Acknowledgments

The authors thank Dr. Y.M. Lim at the Advanced Radiation Technology Institute for helping with e-beam irradiation.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the National Institute of Forest Science [FE0703-2023-01-2023].

Notes on contributors

Junheon Kim

Junheon Kim, PhD, is a research official of Forest Entomology and Pathology Division, National Institute of Forest Science. Seoul, Republic of Korea.

Sujin Lee

Sujin Lee, is a PhD student of Department of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, Entomology and Plant Pathology, Mississippi State University, Starkville. MS, USA.

Hae-Jun Park

Hae-Jun Park, PhD, is a principal researcher of Advanced Radiation Technology Institute, KAERI, Jeongeup, Jellabukdo, Republic of Korea.