Effect of Ganoderma Infection on the Composition of Acyl Lipids in Oil Palm Leaves

The oil palm industry in South East Asia especially in Malaysia and Indonesia is being threatened by Basal Stem Rot (BSR) caused by Ganoderma spp. One of the limiting factors in controlling the BSR disease is the lack of reliable diagnostic method(s) for early diagnosis. The route of infection and the extent of pathogenicity of the Ganoderma spp. are also critical to the development of effective disease control and plantation management. Fatty acids and their derivatives play important signaling roles in plant defense responses in addition to the major phytohormone-mediated defense pathways. Analysis of the fatty acid composition of 0-, 1-, 2-, 4-, 6-, 8-, 12-, 24- and 48-week - T1 (germinated seedlings inoculated with Ganoderma boninense), T2 (germinated seedlings uninoculated with G. boninense) and T3 (germinated seedlings without any treatment) leaf tissues from the standard, tolerant and susceptible palms have been carried out. The objective of this analysis is to investigate the effects of Ganoderma infection on the fatty acid composition of total lipids in oil palm leaves. These preliminary findings will enhance the understanding of biochemical mechanism in response to infection and in the manifestation of disease symptoms in oil palm.