Ganoderma - the scourge of oil palms Elaeis guineensis in the coastal areas Peninsular Malaysia

Gurmit Singh, . Ganoderma - the scourge of oil palms Elaeis guineensis in the coastal areas Peninsular Malaysia. pp. 421-444. ISSN 0126-575X

Basal stem rot caused by the Basidiomycete fungus Ganoderma boninense and possibly other species of Ganoderma is the most important disease of oil palms in Malaysia. The fungus initially invades one or more roots and then moves into the stem causing a dry rot which eventually leads to death of the palm. The disease is currently confined to the coastal areas where incidence can reach as high as 85 per cent by the time palms are replanted at twenty-five years. In plantings from jungle or rubber the disease only becomes evident when the palms are ten to twelve years old but on replants from coconuts or oil palms it can set in as early as twelve to twenty-four months but more usually when palms are four to five years old. Soil factors such as pH conductivity and nutrition can effect disease development. These together with the physical and microbiological properties of the soil and water relations needs more detail investigations. As with most soil-borne diseases control of the disorder posses major constraints. Clean clearing of the old stand of coconuts and oil palms during replanting has helped but the incidence in the replants continues to be high to warrant concern. In the existing stands surgery practised in the seventies has been re-introduced in older palms but the operation is now mechanised. In young palms where surgery is usually ineffective the infected palms are removed to control secondary spread of the disease. Other aspects of disease control and management currently under study include screening of systemic fungicides for their prophylactic and curative properties biocontrol through soil amendments and flood-fallow to weaken or kill the fungus in the soil.

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Abstract

Basal stem rot caused by the Basidiomycete fungus Ganoderma boninense and possibly other species of Ganoderma is the most important disease of oil palms in Malaysia. The fungus initially invades one or more roots and then moves into the stem causing a dry rot which eventually leads to death of the palm. The disease is currently confined to the coastal areas where incidence can reach as high as 85 per cent by the time palms are replanted at twenty-five years. In plantings from jungle or rubber the disease only becomes evident when the palms are ten to twelve years old but on replants from coconuts or oil palms it can set in as early as twelve to twenty-four months but more usually when palms are four to five years old. Soil factors such as pH conductivity and nutrition can effect disease development. These together with the physical and microbiological properties of the soil and water relations needs more detail investigations. As with most soil-borne diseases control of the disorder posses major constraints. Clean clearing of the old stand of coconuts and oil palms during replanting has helped but the incidence in the replants continues to be high to warrant concern. In the existing stands surgery practised in the seventies has been re-introduced in older palms but the operation is now mechanised. In young palms where surgery is usually ineffective the infected palms are removed to control secondary spread of the disease. Other aspects of disease control and management currently under study include screening of systemic fungicides for their prophylactic and curative properties biocontrol through soil amendments and flood-fallow to weaken or kill the fungus in the soil.

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Item Type:	Article
Additional Information:	16 plates; 18 tables; 15 ref. Summary (En)
AGROVOC Term:	ELAEIS GUINEENSIS
AGROVOC Term:	GANODERMA
AGROVOC Term:	LLANURA COSTERA
AGROVOC Term:	MALASIA PENINSULAR/ PROPIEDADES FISICO-QUIMICAS SUELO
AGROVOC Term:	ORGANISMOS TRANSMITIDOS POR SUELO
AGROVOC Term:	CONTROL DE ENFERMEDADES
Depositing User:	Ms. Norfaezah Khomsan
Last Modified:	24 Apr 2025 05:55
URI:	http://webagris.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/20115

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