Ganoderma: Silent Killers of Oil Palms

The fungi Ganoderma boninense, the oil palm industry's disease Public Enemy No. 1 disease causing Basal Stem Rot (BSR) is wreaking havoc. NSTP/ADI SAFRI

I'm back to play devil's advocate. The fungi Ganoderma boninense, the oil palm industry's disease Public Enemy No. 1 disease causing Basal Stem Rot (BSR) is wreaking havoc.

It's zombie apocalypse for oil palms. It spreads silently, devastating yields, killing trees and draining profits. Ganoderma won't just take down your estate - it'll take down the industry.

After discussions with crop protectionist Chung Gait Fee and biotechnologist Dr. Wong Wei Chee, along with some dives into research, I've re-crafted a battle plan - practical, stripped of jargon and built for those who need it. 

A Growing Crisis

Ganoderma isn't new - it's been around since the 1980s, but now even one-year-old palms are falling victim. It spreads through roots and airborne spores, turning infected estates into ticking time bombs.

In 2009/10, BSR affected 3.7 per cent of estates (60,000 hectares). By 2016/2017, it doubled to 7.4 per cent (221,000 hectares). In Sabah, incidence jumped from 2.7 per cent to 8.0 per cent.

Today? Estimates suggest double-digit infection rates, possibly 15 per cent or more. Indonesia is also raising the alarm.

Delaying replanting doesn't buy time - it fuels Ganoderma's spread. And yet Malaysia lags behind. In 2024, only 114,000 hectares (two per cent) were replanted - far from the catch-up needed. 

No Silver Bullet

Sanitation makes all the difference. Sloppy cleanup? Expect up to 40 per cent infection in 15 years. Half-measures? 15-25 per cent. The gold standard? Complete bole and residue removal - cutting infections to 10 per cent.

Before Replanting - Scout and destroy: Survey every block twice before felling, identify infected palms, dig sanitation pits and chop infected wood into small pieces.

During Replanting - Cut, chip, stack: Stack diseased wood on top to let the sun cook it dead. Plough 60 cm deep to bury infected debris. Grow cover crops to speed up decomposition and choke out spores.

First Four (or to 10) Years - Stay alert: Annual block inspections are non-negotiable. Infected palm? Dig it up, remove diseased parts, and leave the hole open for a month. Use disease-tolerant seedlings - you need fighters, not freeloaders.

Mature Palms (Years 5–25) - Stay on guard: Inspect annually; if BSR is present, every six months. Sick trees? No mercy - chop, dig, slice.

Soil Mounding - A Risky Gamble: Like a Band-Aid on a bullet wound, it buys time but let’s Ganoderma linger. Short-term gain, long-term disaster.

Can We Crack the Ganoderma Code?

Scientists are decoding Ganoderma's DNA. But until we understand how it spreads and interacts with its environment, controlling it remains a guessing game.

Early detection is critical - but only if we know how to act on it. Ganoderma spreads slowly but relentlessly, making detection costly and difficult.

The industry is divided. Many believe fertilisers, microbes, pH balance and other factors play a role. Meanwhile, some tech providers claim to have a cure, but if their solutions worked, planters would be lining up. Is the industry sceptical or just tired of false promises?

Breeding disease-resistant palms is underway, but scaling up takes time, and lasting resistance is unproven. Surgical interventions? But do all exposed palms get infected, and does every infection run its course? More questions.

Clean Up or Be Wiped Out

Let's be blunt - there is no cure for Ganoderma yet. No magic potion, no silver bullet. If you don't clean up, it won't just linger—it will spread, strengthen and devour your estate. 

Winning this fight demands a multi-pronged approach while sanitation must be so strict it would make a hospital jealous. Ignore these, and you're rolling out the red carpet for Ganoderma to feast on your plantation.

This isn't just an industry problem - it's a global food security crisis. It's time for real leadership. Put the right people in charge, tear down silos and get R&D out of its echo chamber.  Will we invest in long-term solutions? Whoever cracks the Ganoderma code won't just deserve industry accolades - they'll deserve a Nobel Prize. 

The war against Basal Stem Rot is far from over, but one thing is certain: If sanitation slips, Ganoderma grips. Either you control Ganoderma, or Ganoderma controls you.

* The writer is an industry veteran with C-suite leadership, R&D, training and advocacy experience. He has served at IJM Plantations Bhd, Sime Darby, Malaysian Estate Owners' Association and Malaysia Palm Oil Association. Now, he channels his expertise into writing and driving industry change. The views expressed are his own.