The Ability of Endophytic Bacteria in Controlling the Growth of Ganoderma Boninense, a Fungus That Caused Basal Stem Rot in Oil Palm Plantations

Kow, Gi Yen (2022) The Ability of Endophytic Bacteria in Controlling the Growth of Ganoderma Boninense, a Fungus That Caused Basal Stem Rot in Oil Palm Plantations. Final Year Project (Bachelor), Tunku Abdul Rahman University College.

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Abstract

The most harmful sickness in oil palm industries is basal stem root (BSR) that is caused by white-rot fungi, Ganoderma boninense. BSR infection was discovered solely in older oil palm, however, recently it has been found in seedlings and young oil palm. The objective of this project is to report on the use of endophytic bacteria to inhibit G.boninense and to evaluate the potential mechanisms that can be used by endophytes to inhibit G.boninense. Based on the results of Bivi et al. (2010), endophytic bacteria had shown an inhibitory effect to the growth of G. boninense mycelium in dual culture assay and hyphal structure of fungus was observed to be modified after treatment with endophytic bacteria. According to the result of Agrawal and Kotasthane (2012), endophytic bacteria showed a purple zone on colloidal chitin bromocresol purple agar that indicated the positive inhibitory effect to G.boninense in the chitinolytic assay result. In the study of Muniroh et al. (2019), endophytic bacteria had shown a positive result in the indole acetic acid (IAA) production test, implicating the involvement of bacteria in the plant’s pathogenesis and defence mechanisms. According to Muniroh et al. (2019), endophytic bacteria also showed positive results in the phosphate solubilization test which will affect overall plant growth and provide better protection from Ganoderma disease. Based on the result of Muniroh et al. (2019), some endophytic bacteria produce siderophores, a competitor for iron, that cause the colonization of roots, destruction of microorganisms and reduction of iron availability. In conclusion, endophytic bacteria can act as potential biocontrol agents against G.boninense as many studies have demonstrated their high inhibitory effect, notingly at the nursery level. Further testing in possible control is needed to apply in the real plantation such as the optimum amount of phosphorus in fertilizer.