Pathogenicity of Bursaphelenchus sexdentati,Bursaphelenchus leoni and Bursaphelenchus hellenicus on European pine seedlings

In Greece extensive pine wilting is associated with the presence of nematodes of the genus Bursaphelenchus. In order to check the pathogenicity of Bursaphelenchus sexdentati, Bursaphelenchus leoni and Bursaphelenchus hellenicus, inoculation tests were carried out on 3‐year‐old seedlings of Pinus brutia, Pinus halepensis, Pinus nigra, Pinus pinaster and Pinus sylvestris. For inoculations, 6000 nematodes in 0.5 ml of water were used per seedling. Bursaphelenchus sexdentati proved to be highly virulent causing mortality of up to 100%, followed by B. leoni whereas B. hellenicus was nonpathogenic.