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. [Display omitted] •trans-2-Hexenal showed fumigant toxicity against Bursaphelenchus xylophilus.•trans-2-Hexenal inhibited the dispersal ability of B. xylophilus after fumigant treatment.•Activities of digestive enzymes in B. xylophilus were affected by trans-2-hexenal fumigant treatment.•The metabolism of nutrients and the activity of digestive enzymes of B. xylophilus were affected by trans-2-hexenal fumigant treatment.•The activity of glutathione S-transferase increased and the activity of general esterase decreased after treatment with trans-2-hexenal.