Residual Dynamics of Fluopyram and Its Compound Formulations in Pinus massoniana and Their Efficacy in Preventing Pine Wilt Disease

TL;DR

This study evaluates fluopyram and its formulations as effective and long-lasting alternatives to traditional chemicals for preventing pine wilt disease in pine trees.

Contribution

The study introduces fluopyram and its compound formulations as novel, long-lasting alternatives to conventional nematicides for pine wilt disease prevention.

Findings

Fluopyram showed stronger translocation and higher residual levels in pine trees compared to emamectin benzoate and avermectin.

Fluopyram and its compound formulation provided nearly 100% disease prevention at 90 days and 50% efficacy at 480 days post-injection.

Fluopyram-based treatments outperformed conventional agents in both short- and long-term disease prevention.

Abstract

Injecting chemical agents into tree trunks is a key method for preventing pine wilt disease (PWD). However, the long-term use of conventional trunk injection agents such as emamectin benzoate (EB) and avermectin (AVM) may lead to nematode resistance. Therefore, it is crucial to evaluate the potential of new-generation nematicides, including fluopyram (FLU) and its compound formulations, as alternatives to EB and AVM in PWD prevention. In this study, four trunk injection agents, i.e., 5% FLU microemulsion (ME), 2% AVM + 6% FLU ME, 5% EB ME, and 5% AVM emulsifiable concentrate (EC), were injected into Pinus massoniana trunks, and their residual dynamics over time and preventive effects on PWD were compared. Results showed that all agents were transported to various parts of the trees within 90 days post-injection, with FLU showing significantly stronger translocation compared with EB and AVM. At 660 days post-injection, the active ingredient levels of 5% FLU ME in apical branches remained significantly higher than those of the other three agents at both tested doses (30 and 60 mL). Artificial inoculation with 10,000 Bursaphelenchus xylophilus nematodes per tree at 90 days post-injection showed that trees injected with 5% FLU ME and 2% AVM + 6% FLU ME had nearly 100% disease prevention rates at both doses, outperforming 5% EB ME and 5% AVM EC. A second nematode inoculation at 480 days post-injection showed that 2% AVM + 6% FLU ME showed 50% efficacy, outperforming 5% EB ME (25% efficacy). These findings offer a foundation for developing alternative trunk injection strategies for future PWD management in China.

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