Behind the green expanse of palm oil plantations, a deadly threat lurks from beneath the ground. It’s not a pest that damages the leaves or extreme weather that hinders pollination, but rather the fungus Ganoderma Boninense. Secretly, the fungus attacked the roots, spread to the trunk, and hollowed out the palm tree from the inside until it collapsed helplessly.
Ganoderma is not an ordinary fungus, as it is the main cause of basal stem rot and the most destructive disease in oil palm plants. The initial symptoms of this disease are usually yellowing leaves, drooping fronds, and slowed plant growth. Then this fungus began to spread thru the stem tissue, eventually causing the plant to slowly die.
Ganoderma is able to kill oil palm trees relatively quickly, causing the total population of trees per hectare (SPH) to drop drastically and resulting in a significant decrease in fresh fruit bunch (FFB) production. Basal stem rot disease caused by Ganoderma is a bitter reality that has posed a risk to oil palm farmers and companies in recent years.
Why is the spread of Ganoderma difficult to control?
Ganoderma is comparable to cancer for oil palms; it metastasized systemically through the soil and roots. Once a plant is infected, a remedy is nearly unattainable. On the other hand, Ganoderma infections are also difficult to detect due to the fungus attacks the base of the trunk, which located underground.
The warm and humid conditions in the plantations accelerate fungal growth, allowing it to thrive across nearly all palm oil production regions in Indonesia. Therefore, if not prevented early on, Ganoderma can affect the productivity of oil palm plantations, whether owned by the people or managed by companies. One fallen tree may trigger a domino effect on other trees, even across the entire plantation area. As a result, the potential losses are significant and may threaten the long-term sustainability of the plantation.
Losses due to Ganoderma are not merely a technical issue in plantations. For palm oil farmers, decreased productivity means reduced daily income, which directly affects their livelihoods. Meanwhile, for plantation companies, production losses can reach millions of tons of fresh fruit bunches per year, impacting the supply chain, labor, and contribution to the local economy.
Thus, Ganoderma is not only a biological threat, but also a social and economic one. If left unchecked, this disease has the potential to weaken the strategic palm oil sector, which has long been a pillar of the country’s foreign exchange earnings and a source of livelihood for millions of people.
Astra Agro Innovation Prevents Ganoderma Spread Through Superior Seedlings
The spread of Ganoderma, which is concerning the industry, has received special attention from PT Astra Agro Lestari Tbk (Astra Agro). This is what led Astra Agro’s Research and Development (R&D) team to believe it was necessary to update the previous superior varieties by adding resistance to Ganoderma. Astra Agro conducted in-depth research on the fungus that attacks oil palm plants. After various tests, research, and development, Astra Agro successfully produced three new superior oil palm seedling varieties that are resistant to Ganoderma disease.
The three varieties are named DxP AAL Nirmala MRG, DxP AAL Lestari MRG, and DxP AAL Sejahtera MRG. Astra Agro released these three new varieties after they were declared approved by the Plantation Crops Variety Release Meeting held by the Directorate General of Plantations in Bogor on Thursday, May 16, 2025. The main advantage of this latest variety is that it is moderately resistant to or tolerant of basal stem rot caused by the fungus Ganoderma.
Another equally important advantage is preventing parthenocarpy, commonly referred to as shriveled fruit. Interestingly, these three latest varieties will not produce shriveled fruit, which will have a positive impact on the resulting productivity. Similarly, the sex ratio, or the proportion of female flowers to the total number of flowers, is also important. The sex ratio in this latest variety is quite balanced, ranging from approximately 75% to 88%, which can support natural pollination in the field without manual assistance.
Despite having new advantages, these three varieties still possess the advantages of previous varieties, such as fresh fruit bunch (FFB) production and higher oil content. For your information, Astra Agro has a total of 6 types of seedlings. Previously, in 2020, Astra Agro successfully created three flagship varieties to support the competitiveness and productivity of oil palm plantations, named AAL Lestari, AAL Sejahtera, and AAL Nirmala.
The Director of Plantation Seed Development at the Indonesian Ministry of Agriculture, Ebi Rulianti, stated during the Astra Agro seed release hearing that it is certain there is no land or soil in Indonesia free from Ganoderma. The oil palm varieties DxP AAL Nirmala MRG, DxP AAL Lestari MRG, and DxP AAL Sejahtera MRG are suitable for release or approval because they are considered a solution for managing basal stem rot caused by Ganoderma boninense.
According to her, Ganoderma disease may not be completely eradicated, but its impact can be minimized. With the release of new varieties by Astra Agro, it is hoped that the company and farmers will be able to achieve optimal production despite the silent and hidden threat of Ganoderma.
For Astra Agro, protecting palm oil plantations from the threat of ganoderma is one of the steps to support sustainability. The company wants to ensure that future generations not only inherit palm oil plantations that are resistant to disease, but also a well-preserved environment and economic benefits for the community. In line with its commitment to prosper with the nation, the company continues to protect nature and nurture hope.
