INTEGRATED MANAGEMENT OF GANODERMA DISEASE OF Abstract The Basal Stem Rot (BSR) disease caused by Ganoderma spp., a basidiomycete fungus, is not new to Malaysia, the disease has been known to attack oil palm since the early years when the crop was introduced into this country. In 2010, the incidence of BSR disease was 3.71% and affected areas was 59,148 hectare. Losses due to Ganoderma disease is estimated about RM1.8 billion (USD 0.569 billion). The disease can be identified from the dry rot at the base of palm trunk and the presence of basidiomata of the Ganoderma fungus. The Ganoderma Selective Medium (GSM) developed can be used to confirm the disease. The progress on development of techniques for early detection of Ganoderma has been achieved through enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay-polyclonal antibody (ELISA-PAb), molecular Multiplex DNA-polymerase chain reaction (DNA-PCR) Kit and GanoSken tomography. With development of these techniques, there is potential of a diagnostic test for detection of Ganoderma in oil palm, which would be of value not only to farmers but also to Quarantine Department. For the control of Ganoderma, integrated sanitation, biological and chemical control are suggested. These control measures are aimed at minimising disease incidence in replanting, prolonging the productive life of the infected palm, and delaying the progress of Ganoderma infection. A pressure injection was developed for pressure-injecting fungicides quickly and efficiently. With this technique fungicides could be applied precisely to the infected sites, ensuring better delivery of the chemical with minimal wastage. A fungicide, hexaconazole (at 4.5 g active ingredient) applied as trunk injection can prolonging the productive life of Ganoderma-infected palms. Soil mounding can also prolong life of Ganoderma-infected palms. The inoculum of Ganoderma can be eradicated significantly by destroying the diseased palm. Soil fumigant dazomet (at 485 g active ingredient) could also effectively eradicate Ganoderma inoculum within infected stumps, therefore reducing the spread of Ganoderma within the field. Underplanting of oil palm either following coconuts or oil palms is strongly not recommended, especially in Ganoderma areas. Sanitation by removal of the old palms involving pushing over of the old stand, shredding into small fragments, excavating roots masses and stumps by digging a 2m x 2m x 1.5m pit, ploughing the new replanting row and planting new palms along the ploughing areas and away from former planting points in order to minimise root infection through root contact is recommended. By adopting this technology, incidence of Ganoderma disease on replanted palms could be reduced to 30.8%, 15 years after planting. Commercial product of GanoEF biofertilizer contains endophytic fungus Hendersonia GanoEF1 incorporated into organic and inorganic fertilizers as a formula for Ganoderma prevention and vegetative growth of oil palm has been successfully produced. Encouraging results on the use of other biological agents were also reported, however more field trials needs to be investigated. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |