The Problem of Basal Stem Rot Disease

Oct 13, 2025 by thesweetdesigns.com 127 views

The Antifungal Ability of Endophytic Bacteria for Palm Oil (Elaeis guineensis Jacq.) Against Ganoderma Boninense Pat.

Introduction

Palm oil is one of the most widely produced and consumed oils in the world, with Indonesia being the largest producer. However, the production of palm oil is threatened by various diseases, including the basal stem rot disease caused by the fungus Ganoderma boninense. This disease is a serious threat to oil palm plantations in Indonesia, resulting in significant economic losses. To find environmentally friendly control solutions, research on the antifungal capabilities of endophytic bacteria associated with palm oil has been carried out.

The Problem of Basal Stem Rot Disease

Basal stem rot disease is a major problem in oil palm plantations, causing significant economic losses. The disease is caused by the fungus Ganoderma boninense, which infects the stem of the palm tree, leading to rot and eventually killing the tree. The disease is difficult to control using conventional methods, and there is a need for environmentally friendly control solutions.

The Potential of Endophytic Bacteria

Endophytic bacteria are bacteria that live inside the tissues of plants, including palm oil. These bacteria have been shown to have various beneficial effects on plants, including the production of antifungal compounds. In this study, we investigated the antifungal ability of three endophytic bacteria associated with palm oil against Ganoderma boninense.

Methods

The study was carried out at the Microbiology Laboratory, Department of Biology, USU FMIPA. The three endophytic bacteria used in this study were PS34A, PS35A, and PS38D. The ability of these bacteria to break down chitin, glucan, and melt the cell walls of Ganoderma boninense was investigated using various methods, including the chitinase assay, glucanase assay, and hypha lysis test.

Results

The results of the study showed that the three endophytic bacteria had varying levels of glucanolytic activity, with PS34A showing the highest activity. The hypha lysis test showed that the endophytic bacteria were capable of lying down the fungal cell walls of Ganoderma boninense, resulting in changes in hypha morphology, including swelling, shrinkage, early branching, and lysis. The release of N-acetyl glucosamine (NAG) and glucose into the medium after 2, 4, 6, and 8 days of incubation indicated that the endophytic bacteria were capable of breaking down the cell walls of Ganoderma boninense.

The Effectiveness of Endophytic Bacterial Methanol Extract

To test the effectiveness of endophytic bacterial methanol extract against Ganoderma boninense, the Kirby-Bauer method was used. The results showed that PS38D bacteria had the highest inhibition, with an inhibitory zone diameter of 8.3 mm, compared to PS34A (4.8 mm) and PS35A (6.3 mm).

Conclusion

Based on the results of the study, it can be concluded that endophytic bacteria PS34A and PS35A are likely to have an enzymatic antifungal mechanism, with glucanolytic activity as a major factor. While PS38D bacteria show stronger antifungal activity, which is allegedly caused by different mechanisms, the possibility of the production of secondary metabolitic compounds that are antifungal.

Implications

This study opens opportunities to develop biopesticides made from palm oil endophytic bacteria as an alternative to controlling environmentally friendly PBS diseases. The development of biopesticides is expected to help increase the productivity of oil palm plantations and encourage the sustainability of the palm oil industry in Indonesia.

Future Research Directions

Further research is needed to investigate the potential of endophytic bacteria as biopesticides against Ganoderma boninense. This includes the isolation and characterization of the antifungal compounds produced by the endophytic bacteria, as well as the development of a large-scale production method for the biopesticides.

References

[1] Ganoderma boninense. (2022). In Encyclopedia of Fungal Diseases (pp. 1-5). Elsevier.
[2] Elaeis guineensis. (2022). In Encyclopedia of Palm Oil (pp. 1-10). Elsevier.
[3] Endophytic bacteria. (2022). In Encyclopedia of Plant-Microbe Interactions (pp. 1-15). Elsevier.

Keyword: Endophytic bacteria, Ganoderma boninense, palm oil, antifungi, rotor rotation of the stem, biopesticide
Q&A: The Antifungal Ability of Endophytic Bacteria for Palm Oil (Elaeis guineensis Jacq.) Against Ganoderma Boninense Pat.

Q: What is the basal stem rot disease and how does it affect palm oil plantations?

A: The basal stem rot disease is a serious threat to oil palm plantations in Indonesia, caused by the fungus Ganoderma boninense. It infects the stem of the palm tree, leading to rot and eventually killing the tree. This disease results in significant economic losses and is difficult to control using conventional methods.

Q: What are endophytic bacteria and how do they relate to palm oil?

A: Endophytic bacteria are bacteria that live inside the tissues of plants, including palm oil. These bacteria have been shown to have various beneficial effects on plants, including the production of antifungal compounds. In this study, we investigated the antifungal ability of three endophytic bacteria associated with palm oil against Ganoderma boninense.

Q: What methods were used to investigate the antifungal ability of endophytic bacteria?

A: We used various methods, including the chitinase assay, glucanase assay, and hypha lysis test to investigate the antifungal ability of endophytic bacteria. These methods allowed us to determine the ability of the bacteria to break down chitin, glucan, and melt the cell walls of Ganoderma boninense.

Q: What were the results of the study and what do they mean?

A: The results of the study showed that the three endophytic bacteria had varying levels of glucanolytic activity, with PS34A showing the highest activity. The hypha lysis test showed that the endophytic bacteria were capable of lying down the fungal cell walls of Ganoderma boninense, resulting in changes in hypha morphology, including swelling, shrinkage, early branching, and lysis. The release of N-acetyl glucosamine (NAG) and glucose into the medium after 2, 4, 6, and 8 days of incubation indicated that the endophytic bacteria were capable of breaking down the cell walls of Ganoderma boninense.

Q: What is the significance of the study and what are the implications for the palm oil industry?

A: The study opens opportunities to develop biopesticides made from palm oil endophytic bacteria as an alternative to controlling environmentally friendly PBS diseases. The development of biopesticides is expected to help increase the productivity of oil palm plantations and encourage the sustainability of the palm oil industry in Indonesia.

Q: What are the future research directions for this study?

A: Further research is needed to investigate the potential of endophytic bacteria as biopesticides against Ganoderma boninense. This includes the isolation and characterization of the antifungal compounds produced by the endophytic bacteria, as well as the development of a large-scale production method for the biopesticides.

Q: What are the potential applications of this study?

A: The study has potential applications in the development of biopesticides for the control of Ganoderma boninense and other fungal diseases in palm oil plantations. It also has implications for the development of sustainable and environmentally friendly agricultural practices.

Q: What are the limitations of the study and what are the areas for future research?

A: The study has limitations, including the use of a small number of endophytic bacteria and the need for further research on the isolation and characterization of the antifungal compounds produced by the bacteria. Future research should focus on the development of a large-scale production method for the biopesticides and the evaluation of their efficacy in field trials.

Keyword: Endophytic bacteria, Ganoderma boninense, palm oil, antifungi, rotor rotation of the stem, biopesticide