Investigation of bursaphelenchus species on broadleaved species in Izmit Forest District Directorate

The pinewood nematode, Bursaphelenchus xylophilus (Steiner and Buhrer) Nickle, (Nematoda: Aphelenchoididae) is a pest of conifer forest trees. This pest, known as the causal agent of pine wilt disease which is characterized by the sudden death of infected pine trees, is one of the serious exotic pest around the world. This exotic pest causes considerable losses in eastern Asia countries such as Japan, China, South Korea, Taivan. In 1999 and 2010, it was detected forest lands of Portugal and Spain respectively. Due to serious damage of B. xylophilus the studies on the genus of Bursaphelenchus have increased during the last 20 years. To determine the presence of B. xylophilus in our country, different Bursaphelenchus species were found on coniferous trees. However, there is no study in our country for the detection of the presence of species belonging to the genus Bursaphelenchus on deciduous trees. This study was carried out to determine the Bursaphelenchus species on decidious trees. Nematode sampling studies were conducted in deciduous forest sites of 13 Forest Sub-Directorates of İzmit Forest District Directorate. For sampling of Bursaphelenchus species, wood chip samples (about 300-400 grams) were taken from both sides of the selected trees by using hand auger drilling from breast height (1.30 m) or comfortable height. Nematode isolations from wood chips were done by using modified Tray method. In this study, a total of 988 samples were collected. From these samples, 128 contained nematodes. But most of them were from either different families or genus of nematodes. In total, laboratory cultures of 22 different species were established and species identification studies were carried out. According to identification results Bursaphelenchus mucronatus was only found from the genus Bursaphelenchus. Paraphelenchus acontioides and Aphelenchoides heidelbergi different from Bursaphelenchus were identified first time for Turkey. In addition, 5 different Aphelenchoides species were noticed. Due to absences of molecular ID's of 5 species in GenBank, the identification of these 5 species has not been completed yet. Identified 3 species and additional 5 new species will be new records from deciduous trees of Turkey. After completion of identification work of 5 Aphelenchoides species, they will be first record from broadleaved trees in Turkey. Some species may have a potential of being a new species for the world Aphelenchoid fauna. New studies are required to find different Bursaphelenchus and Aphelenchoides species from broadleaved trees in Turkey.