Ganoderma Pathogenesis in Oil Palm Systems

Ganoderma boninense is a soil-borne, hemibiotrophic white-rot fungus that causes basal stem rot (BSR) in oil palm, a disease responsible for substantial yield declines and economic losses in tropical plantations. The pathogen infects host roots and advances through the lower stem, initially adopting a biotrophic phase in which it evades host defences, before switching to a necrotrophic phase marked by extensive cell death and tissue decay. Infection is mediated by an arsenal of carbohydrate-active enzymes that degrade lignocellulosic barriers, coupled with manipulation of plant hormone pathways and reactive oxygen species to overcome host resistance. The persistent inoculum in soil and basidiospore dispersal complicate control measures, which range from cultural sanitation and chemical treatments to breeding for resistant genotypes. Recent integration of multi-omics approaches has begun to unravel the molecular dialogue between G. boninense and oil palm, offering new avenues for early detection, targeted intervention and the development of sustainable management strategies that balance productivity with environmental stewardship.

Research from Nature Portfolio

Recent studies have demonstrated that selected non-pathogenic polypore fungi indigenous to Borneo exhibit pronounced antagonistic activity against G. boninense. In vitro dual-culture assays identified isolates of Trametes elegans and Trametes lactinea that achieved over 70% inhibition of radial mycelial growth. Volatile organic compounds released by these fungi reduced pathogen proliferation by around 50% in dual-plate assays. In planta trials on oil palm seedlings confirmed effective suppression of basal stem rot symptoms, highlighting the potential of native polypores as biological control agents to complement existing disease management practices.

Ganoderma Pathogenesis in Oil Palm Systems publication trend

The graph below shows the total number of articles in ganoderma pathogenesis in oil palm systems across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).

Technical terms

Basal stem rot: A destructive disease of oil palm characterised by decay of the lower stem and root tissues caused by Ganoderma species.

Hemibiotrophic pathogen: A microbe that initially establishes a biotrophic (living tissue) interaction before switching to a necrotrophic (killing host cells) lifestyle.

Polypore fungi: A group of wood-degrading basidiomycetes that form shelf-like fruiting bodies, some of which can antagonise pathogenic fungi.

Carbohydrate-active enzymes (CAZymes): Enzymes that synthesise, modify or break down complex carbohydrates, playing key roles in fungal degradation of plant cell walls.

Volatile organic compounds (VOCs): Low-molecular-weight chemicals emitted by organisms, which can inhibit the growth of pathogens or act as signals in host–microbe interactions.

References

1. Metabolomics-Assisted Breeding in Oil Palm: Potential and Current Perspectives. International Journal of Molecular Sciences (2024).
2. Ganoderma boninense: general characteristics of pathogenicity and methods of control. Frontiers in Plant Science (2023).
3. Exploring the potential of Bornean polypore fungi as biological control agents against pathogenic Ganoderma boninense causing basal stem rot in oil palm. Scientific Reports (2023).
4. An In-Depth Study of Phytopathogenic Ganoderma: Pathogenicity, Advanced Detection Techniques, Control Strategies, and Sustainable Management. Journal of Fungi (2024).
5. Transciptome profiling at early infection of Elaeis guineensis by Ganoderma boninense provides novel insights on fungal transition from biotrophic to necrotrophic phase. BMC Plant Biology (2018).
6. Insight into plant cell wall degradation and pathogenesis of Ganoderma boninense via comparative genome analysis. PeerJ (2019).