A novel fluopyram‐abamectin trunk‐injection formulation: enhanced translocation and efficacy against pine wilt disease

BACKGROUND: The pine wood nematode (Bursaphelenchus xylophilus) is a major quarantine pathogen causing pine wilt disease (PWD) and severe losses in pine forests across Asia and Europe. Trunk injection is a key control strategy, but field performance could be achieved by broadening injectable formulation options, incorporating complementary modes of action, and extending the practical application window to include the pine growth season. Therefore, developing new, highly effective trunk-injection formulations is an important step toward improving PWD management. RESULTS: To this purpose, we developed a novel trunk-injection agent, code-named 'Federal-3', as the focus of this investigation. It features a synergistic fluopyram-abamectin core that is innovatively enhanced with a small-molecule vaccine and a specialized adjuvant. Comprehensive evaluation demonstrated that Federal-3 formulations showed significantly higher nematicidal activity than the single-ingredient formulations. Penetration and translocation of the formulation were evaluated across four pine species under relatively low (7-10 °C) and relatively high (25-35 °C) temperature conditions. Federal-3 showed improved penetration efficiency under relatively high-temperature conditions, achieving complete absorption within 16 h under relatively high temperatures, translocation to treetops within 24 h, and uniform distribution throughout canopy within 30 days. In 3-year field trials, the Federal-3 formulation maintained effective residues. CONCLUSION: By integrating a triple-action strategy of 'synergistic formulation, optimized translocation, and immune activation', Federal-3 improves penetration efficiency under relatively high temperatures and enables rapid uptake, efficient systemic movement, and sustained protection. This agent represents an efficient and reliable innovative solution, advancing PWD management towards proactive prevention and sustainable control. © 2026 Society of Chemical Industry.