Mortality and movement behaviour of Bursaphelenchus xylophilus under different dosages of copper sulphate

Abstract

The effects of in vitro exposure to different concentrations of copper sulphate for different durations on the mortality and locomotor behaviour of Bursaphelenchus xylophilus were evaluated. Copper sulphate showed strong effects against the nematode B. xylophilus at a low concentration (5 mg/l). The median lethal concentration (LC₅₀) at 8, 24, 48, and 72 h were 31.634, 7.353, 6.557, and 5.568 mg/l, respectively. Mortality rate of B. xylophilus after treatment with various concentrations of copper sulphate for 6, 8, 24, 48, and 72 h were significantly different compared with control animals exposed to distilled water (P < 0.01). Locomotor activity of the nematodes decreased with increased duration of exposure and was completely lost after 8 h of exposure to 100 mg/l copper sulphate. Our results indicate that copper sulphate is effective against B. xylophilus and restricts their harmful effects on plants at least in part by inhibiting their movement.