Basal stem rot of oil palm: Disease development in mineral and peat soils

Abstract

Abstract Basal stem rot (BSR) of oil palm, caused by Ganoderma boninense, is a major disease of economic concern in Southeast Asia, especially in Indonesia and Malaysia. The disease causes palm death and the reduction in the oil palm stand, results in lower yields and serious economic losses. In Indonesia, incidence of BSR has been reported in both mineral and peat soils. To control BSR in peat and mineral soils, an understanding of disease development is necessary. Disease developmental studies were conducted at two oil palm plantations in North Sumatra, representing mineral and peat soils. Palms with mild BSR infection were recorded and disease progression monitored. After 37 months, critical symptoms of basal stem rotting were observed. The percentages of palms with advanced disease symptoms in mineral and peat soils were 62.5% and 90.6%, respectively. The observations indicated that BSR symptoms developed faster in oil palms planted in peat soil compared to those in mineral soils.