Research on the effectiveness of using saturated steam treatment to eradicate Bursaphelenchus xylophilus in Pinus massoniana logs

• Published in: Journal of plant diseases and protection (2006) Vol. 132; no. 4
• Main Authors: Wang, Qianqing, Zhang, Jian, Jiang, Jinghui, Wang, Jin, Chen, Ruiyao, Zhao, Liyuan
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Berlin/Heidelberg Springer Berlin Heidelberg 01.08.2025
• Subjects: Biomedical and Life Sciences; Life Sciences; Original Article; Plant Pathology; Plant Physiology; Plant Sciences; Saturated steam treatment; Log; Lethal temperature; Pine wood nematode
• ISSN: 1861-3829; 1861-3837
• DOI: 10.1007/s41348-025-01107-z

This study investigates the mortality rate of pine wood nematodes (PWNs) in logs treated with saturated steam at quarantined log processing sites. The aim is to mitigate the spread of PWNs during log transportation and enhance the high-value utilization of logs. Peeled Pinus massoniana logs were selected as the research subjects and were treated with saturated steam under various conditions. The treatment protocols involved setting the log core temperatures at 45 °C, 56 °C, and 65 °C with holding times of 30, 45, and 60 min. The mortality rates of PWNs at different locations within the logs, from the sapwood to the pith, were determined. The results indicated that within the target temperature range (45–65 °C), the mortality rate of PWNs was positively correlated with the log core temperature. At a log core temperature of 45 °C, the mortality rate of the nematodes gradually decreased. When the log core temperature reached 56 °C, the mortality rate of PWNs was 100% in the sapwood up to 1/4 of the log diameter and 99.68% between 1/4 and 1/2 of the log diameter. At a log core temperature of 65 °C for more than 0.5 h, the mortality rate of PWNs was 100% within the entire log. When the temperature in the sapwood up to 1/4 of the log diameter reached 56.5 °C, the mortality rate of PWNs was also 100%.