Description
In order to develop an artificial heat treatment to eliminate the pinewood nematode (PWN), Bursaphelenchus xylophilus, from coniferous bark, an industrial equipment, based on hot steam was build up which enables continuous bark treatment for more than 30 min with temperatures above 80ºC. Biological assays were performed using experimental units (bags) with Pinus pinaster bark and wood chips containing more than 100 000 PWN (.60% third dispersal juvenile s tage). The bags were heat treated for 30 min and the temperature inside monitored by temperature probes. The total number of live nematodes was quantified immediately after treatment and after incubation (25ºC for 15 days) and in both situations no nematodes were detected revealing efficacy in eliminating PWN from coniferous bark.
; Santos, José António dos 
