The basal stem rot (BSR) disease in oil palm is caused by the wood decaying fungi, Ganoderma boninense (Figure 1). It is a serious disease especially in the replanted areas from old oil palm and coconut and remain as a major disease of oil palm in South-east Asia. Ganoderma produces enzymes that degrade the oil palm tissue which causes problems to the uptake of water and other nutrients to the upper parts of the palm tree (Idris et al., 2003).

Based on the 2009-2010 BSR survey of oil palm estates, about 3.71% incidence of disease was reported (or 59418 ha out of 1594286 ha). For small holders, a BSR ground survey was conducted in 2011-2013 for oil palms of more than 25 years. About 8.05% (or 2744.96 ha out 34067.88 ha) of BSR disease incidence was recorded.

Main Research: Mohd Ikmal Hafiz