Effects of the plant volatile trans-2-hexenal on the dispersal ability, nutrient metabolism and enzymatic activities of Bursaphelenchus xylophilus

Bursaphelenchus xylophilus causes pine wilt disease (PWD), which severely damages pine species. The plant volatile trans-2-hexenal has strong activity against nematodes, although the precise mechanism of this inhibitory action remains unclear. In this paper, the fumigant effects of the LC10 and LC30 of trans-2-hexenal on B. xylophilus were demonstrated. The trans-2-hexenal treatments significantly inhibited the dispersal ability of nematodes. The results also indicated that trans-2-hexenal affects the metabolism of nutrients and the activity of digestive enzymes. Among detoxifying enzymes, after treatment with trans-2-hexenal, glutathione S-transferase activity increased significantly and general esterase activity decreased significantly. Based on these results, trans-2-hexenal disturbs the normal physiological and biochemical activities of this nematode. These results provide valuable insight into the nematicidal mechanisms of trans-2-hexenal.