CURRENT CHALLENGES ON PESTS AND DISEASES OF OIL PALM CULTIVATION

Norman Kamarudin, Idris Abu Seman, Ramle Moslim and Mohamed Mazmira
Malaysian Palm Oil Board (MPOB), No. 6, Persiaran Institusi, Bandar Baru Bangi, 43000 Kajang,
Selangor

Abstract

Oil palm is the main industry in crop commodity in Malaysia. It was planted in more than
5.5 million hectares in 2015 and utilising the largest agricultural land area of more than
60%. Despite the rapid growth of the industry, the oil palm remains prone to the threat
by a variety of pests such as insects, vertebrates and diseases. In Peninsular Malaysia
and Sabah, bagworms remain the major insect pest and followed by the rhinoceros
beetle, in replanting areas. Whilst in Sarawak, bunch moth and termite are the major
threats. Sustainable management of the insect pests with long term effects is now in
practice by most plantations. For bagworms, the integrated pest management (IPM)
approach of census and detection followed by application of Bacillus thuringiensis or
selective pesticides, planting of beneficial plants for natural enemies and mass trapping
could possibly reduce the population of bagworms without endangering the
environment. During replanting, good agricultural practices such as planting of cover
crops, proper management of biomass residues and the use of microbes such as
Metarhizium have been practiced successfully to control rhinoceros beetle. In peat
areas, bunch moth and termites remain critical insect pests. Similar approaches are on
hand to minimise their infestation, which include utilising microbial pathogens such as
Beauveria sp and Metarhizium sp. For oil palm diseases, the basal stem rot (BSR) or
Ganoderma is the most devastating disease in Malaysia, including Peninsular, Sabah
and Sarawak. The estimated yield loss due to Ganoderma disease can reach up to RM
1.5 billion. For Ganoderma control, MPOB has introduced the Integrated Ganoderma
Management (IGM) to find solution to the disease which includes sanitation, biological,
fertilizer with beneficial (trace) elements and chemical control. These control measures
are aimed at minimising disease incidence in replanting, prolonging the productive life of
the infected palm, and delaying the progress of Ganoderma infection. Some BSR
disease control methods in existing plantings and management strategies at replanting
have been achieved and are being implemented in several oil palm plantations and
smallholders in Malaysia This paper presents an updated account of some of the
information on major insect pests and diseases of oil palm and at the same time provide
some new insights on the control and management of the major insect pests and
Ganoderma disease in oil palm plantations. Some of the challenges which need to be
addressed include the implementation of proper census and detection methods,
awareness of suitable and effective chemicals for long term control, environmental
manipulation to reduce pest outbreaks and enhanced surveillance of pests and
diseases among smallholders. Increased efforts in these areas would ensure better
management of pests and disease management for a sustainable and long term control
of pest and diseases in oil palm.
1.0 INTRODUCTION

The oil palm is an important commodity crop for Malaysia. However, being planted
largely as a monocrop, the oil palm is prone to the infestation of endemic insect pests
and diseases. Pests and diseases still pose a serious threat to oil palm plantations that
required advanced knowledge and tools for their management. With the increase in
hectarage of oil palm planted areas, there is a major concern on the outbreak of the
pests and diseases which always resulted in significant loss of yields. There are many
pests and diseases of oil palm found in the producing countries. The threat of pests
including bagworms, rhinoceros beetle, bunch moth and termite are and basal stem rot
(BSR) or Ganoderma disease to the oil palm industry in Malaysia warrants new and
more aggressive approaches in finding solution to the pests. These pests usually
become worse with successive generation of oil palm planted on the same land.
Malaysian Palm Oil Board (MPOB) has over the years developed and disseminated
many technologies on pests and Ganoderma disease research related to the
identification, detection, control and management, for the advantage of oil palm
industry. These technologies have been disseminated to the oil palm industry members
through the seminars, field demonstrations and hands-on training, especially bagworm
and Ganoderma. Recently in June 2016, MPOB has launched the standard operating
procedure (SOP) guidelines to control and manage both bagworms and Ganoderma as
part of an awareness campaign to manage and mitigate these two endemic and
devastating pests more effectively. This paper presents an updated account of some of
the information on major insect pests and Ganoderma disease of oil palm and at the
same time provide some new insights on the control and management of these pests in
oil palm plantations.

2.0 Insect Pests

2.1 Bagworms

Bagworms are a recurring problem in oil palm plantations, and several factors have
been recognized as the trigger for the outbreaks. Nevertheless, the recurring bagworm
outbreaks only affected the oil palm plantations and several factors have been identified
as causes for the outbreaks. Over reliance and constant use of chemical insecticides to
control bagworm outbreaks, non-existence of beneficial plants in the plantation to attract
natural enemies and reluctance from several oil palm planters to conduct control
operations, with reasons such as not technically well-equipped, limited knowledge and
insufficient funds are some of the causes reported. The population of bagworms without
control often increased up to above its threshold limits, thereby affecting the neighboring
plantations.

The species of bagworm capable of causing outbreaks in the oil palm plantation are
Metisa plana (Walker), Pteroma pendula (Joannis) and Mahasena corbetti (Tams).
From a survey conducted by Norman and Basri (2007), it was reported that M. plana
was still the most widely distributed species followed by P. pendula in the oil palm
plantations in Peninsular Malaysia. The species M. corbetti is rarely reported as a
serious pest in Peninsular Malaysia, but it is a major defoliator and widely distributed in
eastern Sabah and in some locations in Peninsular Malaysia (Norman and Basri, 2007).
Leaves defoliation of approximately 10-13% due to bagworm attack may cause a crop
loss of approximately 33-40% (Basri, 1993). Hence, immediate control of bagworm is a
concern that should be taken seriously.

Integrated pest management (IPM) is an ideal method for controlling bagworm

outbreaks in oil palm plantations. The four main component in the IPM program,
includes the usage of Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) bioinsecticides (Siti Ramlah et al,
2013), planting of beneficial plants to attract the beneficial insects (Basri et al, 1999)
and installation of pheromone traps (Norman et al, 2010). The synergism between all
the four components will ensure efficient control of bagworms in a long-term
perspective. Lack of knowledge on the implementation of IPM systems and the
physiology of the bagworm among the oil palm planters have worsen the situation.
Nevertheless, MPOB without fail has carried out road shows, seminars and lectures in
promoting and disseminating information on IPM of bagworm. This is one of the
challenge that needs to be undertaken in educating the oil palm planters particularly the
smallholders.

Since 2007 to 2015, MPOB has successfully controlled the bagworm outbreaks via Bt
aerial sprays covering more than 100,000 ha of infested area in Perak and Johor. With
the right strategy, the Bt aerial spray in combination with the existence of beneficial
plants and pheromone trapping has successfully reduced the bagworm population
below the threshold level. Nevertheless, severe and extensive outbreak areas still
require repeated application of Bt. The implementation of IPM since 2007 has enable
the industry to avoid loss of approximately RM 18,814,766 due to 40% yield loss caused
by bagworm infestation. More estates are now approaching MPOB for advice and
implementation of IPM to control bagworm.

Bagworm was gazetted as a dangerous pest on 15 November 2013 under the Plant
Quarantine Act 1976 (Federal Government Gazette Act 167). Under this Act, all oil palm
plantation owners and smallholders are required to control the harmful pest or bound to
be penalized. As one of the implementation, from August 2015 until June 2016, MPOB
and Department of Agriculture have conducted series of advisory visits to nine estates
in Southern Perak which were suspected as the source of bagworm infestation. The
execution of the Act has indeed enhanced awareness among the oil palm planters on
the importance in taking immediate control measures to control bagworms.

2.2 Rhinoceros beetle

Rhinoceros beetle, Oryctes rhinoceros (L) is a major insect pest of coconut and oil palm
(Bedford, 2013). A high pest infestation was recorded in new or replanted areas that
has the abundance of rotting plant residues (Norman and Mohd Basri, 1997). These
rotting materials are conducive for breeding of the beetle, contributing high number of
adult beetles which later attack the young planted oil palm. Yield losses due to attack of
rhinoceros beetles can be up to 25%. Various good agricultural practices such as
planting of cover crops, proper management of biomass residues and the use of
microbes such as Metarhizium spp and Oryctes nudivirus (OrNV) have reduced the
infestation of rhinoceros beetle.

The M. anisopliae is a soil fungus highly pathogenic to rhinoceros beetle (Ramle et al.,
2011). The fungus is an effective biocontrol agent for rhinoceros beetle. The fungus can
be applied using different delivery techniques such as by spraying of fresh spore
solutions onto the breeding sites. Mass release of adult-carrying-spores either manually
or using a specially designed auto dissemination trap. Formulated products are sprayed
by using a mist blower or a power sprayer onto beetle breeding habitats. A new
approach was conducted by applying the fungus through an Artificial Breeding Site
(ABS) technique. The OrNV is another potential biocontrol agent of rhinoceros beetle.
The virus infects larvae and adults of the beetle (Zelazny, 1972 & 1973). The OrNV was
released to control rhinoceros beetle in South Pacific Islands and it has successfully
suppressed the beetle population. In Malaysia, four types of OrNV were identified and
the type B is the most pathogenic to rhinoceros beetle. The release of the type B has
further reduced the palm damage as well as and pest population (Ramle et al., 2011).

2.3 Bunch moth

The bunch moth, Tirathaba rufivena and termite, Coptotermes curvignathus are two
main insect pests of oil palm planted on peat (Lim, 2012; Zulkifli et al., 2012). Severe
infestation of bunch moth was commonly found in areas with palm between three to five
years old (Lim, 2012). The infestation can be as high as 50% if no proper control
measures were implemented. Larvae are the destructive stage, infesting mostly on
post-anthesis male inflorescences, female inflorescences and the developing bunches.
Severe infestation has led fruits to rot and subsequently causing the whole bunch to rot.
Field control included the application microbes such as Bt and M. anisopliae (Zulkefli et
al., 2015). In an outbreak situation, planters are advised to use chemical products such
as Chlorantraniliprole and Cypermethrin by spraying method.

2.4 Termites

For termites, infestation of this pest varies from location to location and generally
increased with the age of palms (Lim and Silek, 2001). Control methods rely mostly on
insecticides such as chlorpyrifos or fipronil, either by spraying or drenching at the base
or spear of the infested palms. However, the use of these chemicals should be
minimized to avoid any possible contamination through water runoff. Currently, focus in
termite management has shifted to the use of safer methods especially on the use of
entomopathogenic fungi, Beauveria bassiana and M. anisopliae (Ramle et al., 2011;
Saharul et al., 2015). Field tests showed that these fungi are equally potent to control
termites infesting standing oil palm.
3.0 The Basal Stem Rot (BSR) or Ganoderma Disease

The BSR disease is not new to Malaysia, it has been known to attack oil palm since the
early years when the crop was introduced into this country. The disease was first
reported in 1931 infecting oil palms of over 25 years (Thompson, 1931). The BSR
disease was recorded on oil palm planted in coastal soil in West Peninsular Malaysia
(Khairudin and Chong, 2009), Sabah (Hoong, 2007) and Sarawak (Mohd Rakib et al.,
2014). MPOB has conducted a survey to obtain more information on status of the BSR
disease incidence in Malaysia in cooperation with major oil palm agencies including
plantation groups, government agencies and independent estates. A total of 1061
(45.0%) out of 2356 estates have responded to the survey, with the total areas of over
1.594 million hectares (ha). Only 632 (59.57%) out of 1061 estates reported the
presence of BSR disease (Idris et al., 2011). The incidence of BSR disease in Malaysia
was 3.71% and the areas affected were 59,148 ha. Losses due to Ganoderma disease
is estimated about RM1.5 billion (Arif et al., 2011). A survey on status of BSR disease in
oil palm planted by smallholders participants of Tanam Semula Sawit Pekebun Kecil
(TSSPK) also was carried out by MPOB. The survey presented the incidence of BSR
disease in Malaysia, including the Peninsular, Sabah and Sarawak. A total of 10,292
smallholders was visited with the total areas of 37,359.81 hectares (ha). The total area
affected with BSR disease planted by oil palm smallholders in Malaysia was 3,450.70
ha (out of 37,359.81 ha surveyed) and BSR disease incidence was 9.24% (Mohd Shukri
et al., 2015). From the survey results, it can be seen that the Ganoderma disease pose
a major threat to the oil palm industry in the near future, if no control measures is
implemented.
Based on the morphological characteristics, four species of Ganoderma has been
identified to be associated with BSR disease in Malaysia, they are G. boninense, G.
zonatum, G. miniatocinctum and G. tornatum. U
sing the artificially inoculation techniques, G. boninense, G. zonatum, and G.
miniatocinctum were found pathogenic to oil palm, while G. tornatum not pathogenic,
only found on dead palms, presumed to be saprophytic. Other identified species of
Ganoderma which was isolated from hardwood species present in forest areas and
temperate zones including G. applanatum, G. lucidum, G. oregonense, G. pfeifferi and
G. philippii, all were proven non-pathogenic to oil palm.
The disease can be detected based on the presence of basidiomata or fruiting body of
the Ganoderma on the stem base, frond bases or roots. Symptoms typical of the
Ganoderma infection will only appear on foliage after a substantial portion of the bole is
infected. Oil palm extensively decayed by Ganoderma may fracture at the base and the
palm collapses, leaving diseased bole tissues in the ground. Technologies for the early
detection of Ganoderma have been achieved through a culturing technique using
Ganoderma selective medium (GSM) and molecular multiplex polymerase chain
reaction-deoxyribonucleic acid (PCR-DNA) Kit (Idris et al., 2010). The Multiplex PCR-
DNA Kit allows for early detection and differentiation between the four species of
Ganoderma in oil palm, namely G.boninense, G. zonatum, G. miniatocinctum and G.
tornatum in a single reaction. Other methods of detection are being developed which
includes enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay-polyclonal antibody (ELISA-Pab)
(Madihah et al., 2014), GanoSken TM tomography (Idris et al., 2010), and remote sensing
(Izzuddin et al., 2013).
MPOB has introduced the Integrated Ganoderma Management (IGM) to find solution to
the disease which includes sanitation, biological, fertilizer with beneficial (trace)
elements and chemical control. In existing planting, the inoculum of Ganoderma can be
reduced significantly by removal (destroying) of the diseased palm using
excavator/backhoe. A soil fumigant, dazomet could also effectively eradicate
Ganoderma inoculum within infected stumps. Both methods can reduce the spread of
Ganoderma disease within the field. A fungicide, hexaconazole applied as trunk
injection can be used as curative treatment or prolonging the productive life of
Ganoderma-infected palms. At replanting, underplanting of oil palm either following
coconuts or oil palms is strongly not recommended, especially in Ganoderma areas.
Sanitation by destroying (removal) of the old palms involving pushing over of the old
stand, shredding/chipping into small fragments, excavating roots masses and stumps
with a size of 2m length x 2m width x 1.5m depth, ploughing the new replanting row and
planting new palms along the ploughing areas is highly recommended. By adopting this
technology, incidence of Ganoderma disease on replanted palms could be reduced to
30.8%.
MPOB research in biological agents and fertilizer beneficial (trace) elements as
preventive treatment for controlling of Ganoderma disease has led to the development
of new innovations, techniques and product formulations. Until now, three products are
available in the market and now is ready to be used by the oil palm industry, they are:
i) GanoEF biofertilizer – Endophytic microorganisms were chosen for the
selection of suitable biocontrol agent of BSR disease because they colonize plant
tissues internally and their movement is within the plant system, thus providing holistic
control and often being unaffected by environment changes. The GanoEF biofertilizer
powder contains endophytic fungus, Hendersonia GanoEF1 incorporated with organic
materials. The Hendersonia GanoEF1 has been found strongly antagonistic against
Ganoderma in various laboratory and nursery studies. The Hendersonia fungus
colonizes in oil palm roots and does no harm to the host plant. Using the GanoEF
biofertilizer, the incidence of Ganoderma disease in oil palm seedlings has been proven
to reduce by up to 69.5% (Idris et al., 2012). For the field study, only 4.9% of palms
treated with GanoEF biofertilizer showed symptoms of BSR disease and died,
compared to 83.3% in the untreated palms (Nurrashyeda et al., 2015).

ii) EMBIOTM actinoPLUS – The actinomycetes have the ability to effectively

suppress many plant diseases. Streptomyces sp., a soil actinomycete, has potential as
biological control agent (BCA) against Ganoderma disease (Sharifah et al., 2015). Two
treatments were involved: seedlings untreated with EMBIO TM actinoPLUS (T1, control)
and seedlings treated with EMBIO TM actinoPLUS (T2). Vegetative growth results
indicated that seedlings treated with EMBIO TM actinoPLUS containing Streptomyces
GanoSA1 gave positive effect on frond height, number of leaves and chlorophyll content
without harm the growth of oil palm seedlings. The effectiveness of EMBIO TM
actinoPLUS to suppress the disease development of Ganoderma-infected oil palm was
studied in nursery condition artificial inoculation using rubber wood block sitting method.
Nursery trial showed that seedlings treated with EMBIO TM actinoPLUS lower has a lower
percentage of dead seedlings, 43.3% as compared to the untreated seedlings of 73.3%
(Idris et al., 2014). For the field study, only 6.6% of palms treated with EMBIO TM
actinoPLUS showed symptoms of BSR disease and died due to Ganoderma infection
compared to untreated palms of 75.0% (Shariffah et al., 2015).

iii) GanoCareTM fertilizer with beneficial elements- Plant nutrients are primary
components of disease control in many crops. The importance of applications of
balanced nutrients such as nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K), calcium (Ca),
magnesium (Mg), sulphur (S), iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), copper (Cu) and boron (B)
are critically available nutrients for oil palm and so incorporating these elements in
fertilizers to control the disease may prevent Ganoderma attack. Beneficial elements
have positive effects on growth development, yield and disease resistance, which have
been observed in a wide variety of plant species. The effects of beneficial elements are
mainly associated with its high level of deposition in plant tissues, therefore enhancing
their strength and rigidity (Hanafi et al., 2014). Beneficial elements are also potential in
enhancing host resistance to plant diseases by stimulating defense reaction
mechanisms. The GanoCare™ organic has been developed using organic material and
beneficial nutrients in reducing risk of Ganoderma in oil palm (Idris et al., 2014). This
new formulation incorporates chemical fertilizer into GanoCare™ and named as
GanoCare™ OCSpecial for controlling Ganoderma disease and increase vegetative
growth in oil palm. The GanoCare™ OCSpecial was formulated using balanced
nutrients, which include macronutrients, micronutrients and beneficial elements, mainly
for the prevention of Ganoderma disease, growth of oil palm and improve soil fertility
(Idris et al., 2015). GanoCare™ OCSpecial contains N, P, K and Mg; powdered empty
fruit bunches (EFB) and beneficial elements such as iron, manganese, copper and
silicon. Four formulations of GanoCare™ OCSpecial were developed, they are
OCSpecial 1 (for seedlings in nursery), OCSpecial 2, OCSpecial 3 and OCSpecial 4 (for
field palms). The effectiveness of GanoCare TM to control the disease development of
BSR disease oil palm was studied in nursery and field trials. Nursery trial indicated
seedlings treated with GanoCareTM had lower dead seedlings of 36.0% as compared to
the untreated seedlings of 90.0%. For the field study, only 4.7% of palms treated with
GanoCareTM showed symptoms of BSR disease and died due to Ganoderma infection
compared to the untreated palms of 83.3%.

4.0 CONCLUSION

The oil palm remains prone to the threat by a variety of pests such as insects,
vertebrates and diseases. For bagworms, the integrated pest management (IPM)
approach could possibly reduce the population of bagworms without endangering the
environment. During replanting, good agricultural practices have been practiced
successfully to control rhinoceros beetle. Bunch moth and termites infestation can be
minimized with microbial pathogens. The basal stem rot (BSR) or Ganoderma can be
managed more effectively with the Integrated Ganoderma Management (IGM), which
includes sanitation, biological, fertilizer with beneficial (trace) elements and chemical
control. BSR disease control in existing plantings and management strategies at
replanting have been achieved and implemented in Malaysia. It is hoped that efforts in
these areas would ensure better pests and disease management for a long term,
sustainable control of pest and diseases in oil palm.

10. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

The authors thank the Director-General of MPOB for his permission to publish this
paper.

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