Abstract
The inoculation of Pinus densiflora SIEB. et ZUCC. seedlings with the ectomycorrhizal fungi, Suillus luteus S. F. GRAY and Rhizopogon rubescens TUL., resulted in a slight increase of resistance to subsequent infection by the pinewood nematode, Bursaphelenchus xylophilus (STEINER et BUHRER) NICKLE. Mycorrhizal infection improved growth of seedlings, thereby decreased the mortality of seedlings caused by the pinewood nematode, although the increase in resistance was not statistically significant. Among many factors, the mycorrhizal status of pine trees also should be important in determining the resistance of pine trees to the pinewood nematode in a forest.
