Basal Stem Rot Disease of Oil Palm in Indonesia

Abstract Elaeis guineensis is the world’s most productive crop for oil production and is extensively cultivated across tropical regions, including Asia, Africa, and Latin America, with Malaysia and Indonesia being among the top producers. In Indonesia and Malaysia, palm oil is used to produce a wide range of goods, such as food, cosmetics, and biodiesel, thereby supporting numerous economies and producing export income. However, oil palm production is influenced by several factors, including climate changes, pests and diseases. One of the most devastating disease affecting stakeholders and smallholders’ oil palm plantations in Indonesia, Malaysia, and other oil palm-producing countries is basal stem rot (BSR) disease. At least 15 species of biotrophic Basidiomycete fungi have been found associated with BSR in different parts of the world, with Ganoderma boninense being the predominant causal agent of the disease in oil palm. BSR disease is detrimental because most infected oil palm trees typically cease fruit production and eventually collapse. As there is no single effective control method to prevent the disease development, integrated disease management strategies should be employed to successfully manage the disease, focusing on minimizing the incidence of BSR after replanting. Information © The Authors 2025