Monitoring of xylem embolism and dysfunction by the acoustic emission technique in Pinus thunbergii inoculated with the pine wood nematode Bursaphelenchus xylophilus

Xylem dysfunction progresses rapidly in Pinus thunbergii infected with pine wilt disease. The present report deals with the timing and process of the extensive dehydration of tracheids by embolism and the subsequent desiccation of the xylem with disease development. An ultrasonic acoustic emission (AE) technique was used to detect embolisms in the xylem of pine trunks. In most of the P. thunbergii saplings inoculated with the pathogen Bursaphelenchus xylophilus, the AE frequency suddenly increased in the second week after inoculation. The high-frequency AE continued for about 3 days and into the nights. Harvesting of specimens at this time revealed that white air-filled patches, representing the dehydrated and dysfunctional areas, had just emerged in the sapwood. The AE events in the night must be due to something other than embolisms in healthy trees. Frequent embolism of tracheids, which was suggested by the elevation of the AE frequency, might occur due to the decrease in the tensile strength of xylem sap. This hypothesis is supported by previously reported data. Host cells that had reacted to infection with B. xylophilus produce and release chemicals which can lower the surface tension of xylem sap. During the second increase of AEs, most of which occurred in the third week, xylem desiccation and needle yellowing progressed. Needle fading then became distinct, and the tree was close to death when the AE frequency dropped during the fourth week. By monitoring the AE, the first physiological abnormality that took place very early after infection was detected.