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 LC 10 and LC 30 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.