AbstractThis chapter describes CABI's initiatives in promoting integrated pest (insects, pathogens, weeds and nematodes) management, briefly covering contributions in terms of pest diagnosis and advisory services, rational pesticide use, biological control and biological pesticides, soil and seed health, farmer participatory training and research, technical support to the Global IPM Facility, agricultural biotechnology, and information generation and dissemination.

The structure of disease surveys and protocols for sampling of infected crops are presented. Factors that determine the basic structure of a survey, which include the techniques to be used and the skills required, are mentioned. Tabulated data on disease symptoms associated with likely pathogens are provided.

AbstractThis chapter presents the results of trials conducted to investigate the efficacy of sanitation in basal stem rot (BSR; Ganoderma sp.) management at Bah Lias Research Station in North Sumatra, Indonesia, over a period of several years. The trials were designed to assess the relative importance of various tissue remnants (from stumps, trunks and roots) from the old palm stand as potential sources of inoculum at replanting. Molecular fingerprinting techniques became available which allowed confirmation of the origin of the pathogen in infected seedlings. Disease development and overt symptom appearance depended on the size of palm when it becomes infected, its continued growth vigour and the size of the inoculum. Small seedlings close to large disease sources were rapidly killed. Larger, rapidly growing plants were also affected, but often did not die quickly. The results confirmed that the times of greatest significance for BSR control are: (1) soon after planting, when suitable inocula remain in the ground from the previous planting (oil palm stumps or root debris); and (2) later in the planting cycle, when root contact is made with Ganoderma-colonized sections of palm trunks resting on the ground in rows (windrows).

This history of Ganoderma taxonomy phylogeny development of detection methods Ganoderma in southern South America - an approach to its systematics status of Ganoderma on oil palm in Indonesia Ganoderma diseases of tea - current status in Malaysia status of Ganderma diseases of forest trees in India the spread of Ganoderma from infective sources in the field some insects associated with Ganoderma fruiting bodies the use of soil amendments for control potential biocontrol agents for control in the field in Indonesia breeding for resistance to Ganoderma wilt of coconut in India.

This chapter describes a preliminary comparison of methods for assessing the biodegradation of oil palm stem (OPS) by macroscopic fungi in vitro as a first step in developing a practical process in vivo. Many of the methods described (enzyme assays, growth assessment, weight loss determination, ergosterol analysis, respirometry analysis and enzyme digestibility analysis) have been used in conjunction with OPS for the first time. Although the studies were conducted on OPS, most of the results could also probably be applied to oil palm boles, which cause similar problems to OPS, although they are even more difficult to treat as they are firmly embedded in the soil by the root system. This chapter reflects the experiences of the authors in southeast Asia, and in particular Indonesia and Malaysia.

AbstractThis chapter presents the results of a long-term survey of root diseases in an Acacia mangium plantation in Peninsular Malaysia conducted to monitor their occurrence and spread, and discusses the preliminary results of pathogenicity tests with the associated fungi (Ganoderma philippii, Phellinus noxius and Amauroderma parasiticum).

AbstractThis chapter presents evidence for the involvement of basidiospores in the epidemiology of basal stem rot (Ganoderma boninense [Ganoderma orbiforme]) of oil palm. The three phases to the implementation of the control strategy (control during establishment, control during the growing cycle and control during replant) are described based on a control strategy developed and implemented in both Milne Bay in Papua New Guinea and in the Solomon Islands.

Abstract This chapter focuses on the development of a rapid molecular diagnostic method for the detection of Ganoderma pathogenic to oil palm through the EU-STABEX-funded programme at the Papua New Guinea Oil Palm Research Association. The internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region of oil palm-associated isolates, selection of primer sites, evaluation of primer combination and their diagnostic capabilities are described. The ITS-based approach provides a single diagnostic method for the taxon which is independent of the infraspecific variation seen for many other characters. The results support the hypothesis that the basal stem rot organism occurs in a saprobic state on other dead palms, particularly coconuts.

Abstract This chapter serves as an introduction to the plant pathogens belonging to Ganodermataceae and their systematics. It provides a history of Ganoderma taxonomy and nomenclature, and describes the morphological features and cultural characteristics of Ganoderma species. Information on the taxonomy and illustrations of Ganoderma lucidum complex are also presented.