Vol. 7 No. 3 (2026): May 2026
Open Access
Peer Reviewed

Microbial Ecology And Intervention Strategies For Suppressing Ganoderma boninense In Oil Palm Plantation: A Systematic Literature Review

Authors

Hilwa Walida , Siti Mardiana , Tri Koryati , Fitra Syawal Harahap

DOI:

10.46729/ijstm.v7i3.1425

Published:

2026-07-02

Downloads

Abstract

Basal stem rot (BSR), caused by Ganoderma boninense, remains one of the most destructive diseases threatening the sustainability of oil palm (Elaeis guineensis) plantations in Southeast Asia. Increasing limitations of chemical control strategies have shifted attention toward microbial-based approaches for disease suppression. This study presents a systematic literature review aimed at synthesizing current evidence on soil and plant associated microorganisms involved in suppressing G. boninense, identifying dominant microbial taxa, antagonistic mechanisms, and the effectiveness of interventions across experimental scales. A systematic review was conducted following PRISMA guidelines using a PICOS framework. Peer-reviewed articles published between 2015 and 2026 were retrieved from major scientific databases. Eligible studies included experimental and observational research evaluating microbial antagonists or microbiome associations related to BSR suppression. Data were extracted using a standardized form and synthesized narratively due to heterogeneity in study design, microbial taxa, and outcome metrics. The findings indicate consistent in vitro antagonistic activity among bacterial groups (e.g., Bacillus, Burkholderia), fungal antagonists (Trichoderma spp.), and actinomycetes (Streptomyces spp.), primarily through enzyme production, antibiosis, volatile compounds, and induced plant defense responses. Microbial consortia generally demonstrated stronger and more stable suppression than single isolates. However, field-scale validation remains limited. Overall, microbial-based strategies show strong potential for sustainable BSR management, but standardized methodologies and long-term field trials are required to support large-scale application.

 

References

[1] Ho, L., Lai, C., Daim, L. D. J., Noh, N. M., Yap, Y., Ibrahim, J., & Teh, C. (2024). Deciphering root-associated microbial communities in asymptomatic oil palm seedlings exposed to Ganoderma boninense: new insight into disease tolerance of oil palms. FEMS Microbiology Ecology, 100, fiae122. https://doi.org/10.1093/femsec/fiae122

[2] Rees, R., Flood, J., Hasan, Y., & Cooper, R. (2007). Effects of inoculum potential, shading, and soil temperature on root infection of oil palm seedlings by the basal stem rot pathogen Ganoderma boninense. Plant Pathology, 56(6), 862–870 https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-3059.2007.01621.x

[3] Lisnawita, L., Safni, I., Lubis, K., Nurliana, & Fadly, F. (2020). Abundance and diversity of bacteria associated with healthy and infected oil palm rhizosphere of Ganoderma boninense in Bahilang, North Sumatra. IOP Conference Series: Earth and Environmental Science, 454(1), 012181. https://doi.org/10.1088/1755-1315/454/1/012181

[4] Yurnaliza, Y., Rambe, D. I., Sarimunggu, L., Purba, M., Nurwahyuni, I., Lenny, S., Lutfia, A., & Hartanto, A. (2020). Screening of Burkholderia spp. from oil palm plantation with antagonistic properties against Ganoderma boninense. Biodiversitas, 21(8), 3431–3437. https://doi.org/10.13057/biodiv/d210803

[5] Eris, D., Nurmansyah, A., Suwardi, Taniwiryono, D., & Widodo. (2025). Inhibitory effects of Serratia surfactantfaciens on Ganoderma boninense: A potential biocontrol strategy for basal stem rot in oil palm. IOP Conference Series: Earth and Environmental Science, 1494(1), 012023. https://doi.org/10.1088/1755-1315/1494/1/012023

[6] Saputra, R., Puspita, F., Hamzah, A., Irfandri, & Suryani, E. (2022). Morphological characterization of Trichoderma spp. isolated from the oil palm rhizosphere in peat soils and its potential as a biological control for Ganoderma boninense in vitro. Jurnal Ilmiah Pertanian, 19(2). https://doi.org/10.31849/jip.v19i2.9405

[7] Ayundra, S. D., Suwandi, S., Herlinda, S., Hamidson, H., Wandri, R., & Asmono, D. (2022). Soil physicochemical properties in respect to plant health in Ganoderma-infested oil palm plantation. Journal of Scientific Agriculture. 9-13. https://doi.org/10.25081/jsa.2022.v6.7446

[8] Budi, M. B. S., Giyanto, & Tondok, E. T. (2022). Isolation of actinomycetes from peatland to suppress the growth of Ganoderma boninense, the causal agent of basal stem rot disease in oil palm. Biodiversitas Journal of Biological Diversity, 23, 5914–5922. https://doi.org/10.13057/biodiv/d231145

[9] Setyahadi, S., Putri, S. F., & Suhartono. (2019). Screening microbe producing chitinase for inhibiting Ganoderma boninense. IOP Conference Series: Earth and Environmental Science, 230(1), 012100. https://doi.org/ 10.1088/1755-1315/230/1/012100

[10] Fitriana, C. D. A., Wirianata, H., Astuti, Y. M. T., Wilisiani, F., Sukarman, S., Primananda, S., & Utami, W. P. (2024). Macronutrient interactions and microbial population in ultisols and spodosols affecting the incidence of Ganoderma disease. Pertanika Journal of Science & Technology, 32(S4), 23–38. https://doi.org/10.47836/pjst.32.s4.02

[11] Mulyani, R. B., Supriati, L., Djaya, A. A., Nion, Y. A., Sihombing, N., & Wardhana, V. W. (2024). Consortium of biological agencies Trichoderma sp. and mycorrhiza to control basal stem rot (Ganoderma sp.) on oil palm seeds in peat soil media. IOP Conference Series: Earth and Environmental Science, 1421(1), 012023. https://doi.org/10.1088/1755-1315/1421/1/012023

[12] Afandi, M.M., Sitepu S.F & Lisnawita. 2017. Potency of Trichoderma spp. from oil palm rizosphere as biological agent to Ganoderma sp. in vitro. Jurnal Agroekoteknologi FP USU Vol.5.No.2, April 2017 (57): 469- 473

[13] Puspita, F., Dini, I. R., & Sari, D. (2019). Screening of fungi from oil palm rhizosphere in peat soils and the potential as biological agents against Ganoderma boninense. Indonesian Journal of Agricultural Research, 2(2), 37–49. https://doi.org/10.32734/injar.v2i2.918

[14] Assyiffa N.M.R., Natasha N.Z, Hamzah A.Z & Rasdi M.Z. (2017). In Vitro Management of Ganoderma Basal Stem Rot Disease on Oil Palm Using Wild Basidiomycetes Fruiting on the Ground after Rainfall. 7th International Conference on Chemical, Agricultural, Biological and Environmental Sciences (CABES-2017) Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia) Dec. 14-15. https://doi.org/10.15242/DiRPUB.C1217103

[15] Haryadi, D., Hendra, H., Sidhu, M., Panjaitan, T., Samosir, Y., & Sharma, M. (2020). Evaluation of endophytic Trichoderma and other microbes for potential biocontrol of Ganoderma basal stem rot disease on oil palm seedlings. The Planter. https://doi.org/10.56333/tp.2020.005

[16] Fishal, E.M.M., Razak, I.B.A., Bohari, N.H. & Nasir, M.A.A.M. (2022) In Vitro Screening of Endophytic Trichoderma sp. Isolated from Oil Palm in FGV Plantation against Ganoderma boninense. Advances in Microbiology, 12, 443-457. https://doi.org/10.4236/aim.2022.127031

[17] Yusoff, A., M. Ashaari, F. H., Abd Samad, M. A., Ab Wahab, A. F. F., & Bharudin, I. (2021). Identification of soil bacteria with antifungal activity against oil palm pathogens Ganoderma boninense. Sains Malaysiana, 50(12), 3557–3567. https://doi.org/10.17576/jsm-2021-5012-08

[18] Saragih, R., Simanjorang, M., Angrelina, I., Irvanto, D., Retnosari, E., Murgianto, F., & Ardianto, A. (2022). Exploration, identification, and in vitro antagonism test of Trichoderma spp. against Ganoderma spp. At PT Bumitama Gunajaya Agro palm oil plantation, Central Kalimantan. IOP Conference Series: Earth and Environmental Science, 976(1), 012043. https://doi.org/10.1088/1755-1315/976/1/012043

[19] Saputra R, A Hamzah, L P Utami. (2022). Characterization of peatland indigenous bacteria and their potential as biological control agents of Ganoderma sp. the causes of oil palm stem rot disease. IOP Conf. Series: Earth and Environmental Science 978. https://doi.org/10.1088/1755-1315/978/1/012018

[20] Nisa, M., Aini, F., & Maritsa, H. U. (2020). Antagonistic activity of cellulolytic bacteria from the rhizosphere of oil palm (Elaeis guineensis Jacq.) against Ganoderma boninense Pat. Al-Kauniyah: Jurnal Biologi, 13(1), 9–19. https://doi.org/10.15408/kauniyah.v13i1.11704

[21] Darlis D,. M.B.Jalloh , C.F.S Chin, N.K.M. Basri, N. A. Besar, K. Ahmad, Mohd. Rashid Mohd. Rakib.(2023). Scientific Reports 13:10316 https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-023-37507-0

[22] Nurjannah, N., Kartina, K., & Adiwena, Muh. (2019). Selection and identification of soil and endophytic fungi as an effort to mitigate Ganoderma attacks on oil palm plants (Elaeis guineensis Jacq.). Jurnal Borneo Saintek, 2(1), 14–19. https://doi.org/10.35334/borneo_saintek.v2i1.631

[23] Naidu, Y., Idris, A. S., Madihah, A.Z., & Norman, K. (2016). In vitro Antagonistic Interactions Between Endophytic Basidiomycetes of Oil Palm (Elaeis guineensis) and Ganoderma boninense. J Phytopatho. https://doi.org/10.1111/jph.12498

[24] R.D.P Pane, R. Farrasati, N.H Darlan, S. Rahutomo, H. Santoso, E.N Ginting, I. Pradiko, F.Hidayat. (2022) Study of soil bacteria and fungi population in oil palm with big hole planting system. Berkala Penelitian Hayati. Volume 27 Number 2.

[25] Widiantini, F., Yulia, E., & Nasahi, C. (2019). Antifungal activity of methanol-extracted secondary metabolites of rhizobacteria isolated from rhizosphere of oil palm trees against Ganoderma boninense Pat. IOP Conference Series: Earth and Environmental Science, 334(1), 012037. https://doi.org/10.1088/1755-1315/334/1/012037

[26] Puspita, F., Nugroho, T. T., & Saputra, R. (2022). Biological control agents potential and molecular identification of endophytic Trichoderma isolates originated from oil palm tissue against Ganoderma boninense Pat. Jurnal Ilmiah Pertanian, 19(2), 48–55. https://doi.org/10.31849/jip.v19i2.9402

[27] Rahma, R., Kuswinanti, T., & Rosmana, A. (2019). Characterization of Chitinolytic Endophyte Bacteria as Biocontrol Agents of Ganoderma boninense Pathogen on Oil Palm. Buletin Palma, 20(1), 35. https://doi.org/10.21082/bp.v20n1.2019.35-43

[28] Rifai, I., Yanti, Y., & Nurbailis, N. (2019). Mechanism of Indigenous Rhizobacteria Isolate Growth Inhibition of Ganoderma boninense. International Journal of Environment, Agriculture and Biotechnology, 4(5), 1518–1522. https://doi.org/10.22161/ijeab.45.36

[29] Yanti, Y., Nurbailis, N., & Rifai, I. (2021). Identification of potential indigenous rhizobacteria isolates as biocontrol agents of Ganoderma boninense. Jurnal Agro Industri Perkebunan, 57–63. https://doi.org/10.25181/jaip.v9i1.1494

[30] Anggita, S. A., Munif, A., Nawangsih, A. A., & Tryono, R. (2020). The endophytic bacteria of oil palm and areca nut are beneficial as antagonist of Ganoderma boninense and potential as plant growth promoter. IOP Conference Series: Earth and Environmental Science, 457(1), 012055. https://doi.org/10.1088/1755-1315/457/1/012055

[31] Trisawa, I. M., Manohara, D., Soetopo, D., & Siswanto. (2022). In vitro antagonistic activity of soil microbes isolated from oil palm to Ganoderma zonatum. IOP Conference Series: Earth and Environmental Science, 974(1), 012052. https://doi.org/10.1088/1755-1315/974/1/012052

[32] Mardiah, I. (2018). Identification of Endophytic Bacterial Isolated from Oil Palm Plants with Anti-Fungal Acitvity against Ganoderma boninense. Pharmacology and Clinical Pharmacy Research, 3(2), 41. https://doi.org/10.15416/pcpr.v3i2.20005

[33] Yanti, Y., Rifai, I., Pratama, Y. A., & Harahap, M. I. (2019). Selection and identification of soil and endophytic fungi as an effort to mitigate Ganoderma attacks on pre nursery oil palm plants (Elaeis guineensis Jacq.). Jurnal Agro, 6(2), https://doi.org/10.15575/4665

[34] Maritsa, H., & Riany, H. (2022). Screening of antagonistic actinobacteria as biocontrol agent against Ganoderma boninense. Jurnal Silva Tropika, 6(1), 60–67. https://doi.org/10.22437/jsilvtrop.v6i1.23471

[35] Supriyanto, Purwanto, S.H. Poromarto, Supyani. (2020). Evaluation of in vitro antagonistic activity of fungi from peatlands against Ganoderma species under acidic condition. Biodiversitas 21(7) 2935-2945. https://doi/10.13057/biodiv/d210709

[36] Rupaedah, B., Eko Prasetyo, A., Hidayat, F., Asiani, N., Wahid, A., Nurlaila, & Lutfia, A. (2024). Evaluation of microbial biocontrol agents for Ganoderma boninense management in oil palm nurseries. Journal of the Saudi Society of Agricultural Sciences, 23(3), 236–244. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jssas.2023.12.001

[37] Widiantini, F., Nugraha, G. T., Yulia, E., & Nasahi, C. (2024). Antagonistic effects of bacterial rhizosphere of oil palm in biocontrol of basal stem rot disease (Ganoderma boninense Pat.). Hayati Journal of Biosciences, 31(6), 1071–1081. https://doi.org/10.4308/hjb.31.6.1071-1081

[38] Muzaimah S A., Idris A S, Madihah, A Z; Dzolkhifli, O; Kamaruzzaman, S & Cheong, P C H. (2015). Isolation Of Actinomycetes From Rhizosphere Of Oil Palm (Elaeis guineensis Jacq.) for antagonism against Ganoderma boninense. Journal of oil Palm research 27 (1)

[39] Yurnaliza, Y., Nurwahyuni, I., Lenny, S., & Lutfia, A. (2024). Bioprospecting study of plant growth promoting rhizospheric bacteria from oil palm plantation as biological control agent of Ganoderma boninense. Pakistan Journal of Biological Sciences, 27(5), 256–267. https://doi.org/10.3923/pjbs.2024.256.267

[40] Hassan, T. M. S. T., Ali, N. S., & Yusop, M. R. (2023). Induced biochemical changes in Ganoderma boninense infected Elaeis guineensis seedlings in response to biocontrol treatments. Pertanika Journal of Tropical Agricultural Science, 46(1), 129–151. https://doi.org/10.47836/pjtas.46.1.08

[41] Anothai, J., & Chairin, T. (2020). Soil physicochemical properties closely associated with fungal enzymes and plant defense enzymes in Ganoderma-infected oil palm orchards. Plant and Soil, 456(1), 99–112. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11104-020-04705-y

[42] Goh, Y. K., Zoqratt, M. Z. H. M., Ayub, Q., & Ting, A. S. Y. (2020). Determining soil microbial communities and their influence on Ganoderma disease incidences in oil palm via high-throughput sequencing. Biology, 9(12), 424. https://doi.org/10.3390/biology9120424

[43] Anuar, M. S. K., Hashim, A., Sundram, S., Rahman, S. R. A., Ho, C.-L., Wong, M.-Y., Saidi, N., Wasoh, H., & Yusof, M. T. (2024). Characterization of the synergistic effect of fungal isolates in suppressing Ganoderma boninense and enhancing oil palm growth. Journal of Basic Microbiology, 65. https://doi.org/10.1002/jobm.202400312

[44] Japanis, F. G., Chan, Y., & Chong, K. (2021). Evaluation on the effectiveness of combination of biocontrol agents in managing Ganoderma boninense of oil palm. Malaysian Journal of Microbiology. https://doi.org/10.21161/mjm.190497

[45] Elfina, Y., Sukendi, S., Efriyeldi, E., & Sutikno, A. (2024). Ability Test of Bacillus spp. in Inhibiting Ganoderma boninense Pat. the Causal Agent of Oil Palm Basal Stem Rot Disease in Vitro. Agro Bali: Agricultural Journal, 7(2), 575–590. https://doi.org/10.37637/ab.v7i2.1816

[46] Haryadi, D., Hendra, H., Sidhu, M., Panjaitan, T., & Chong, K. P. (2021). Nursery evaluation of potential endophytic Trichoderma spp. from North Sumatra, Indonesia, as a biocontrol agent against Ganoderma boninense. Indian Phytopathology, 74(3), 803–808. https://doi.org/10.1007/s42360-021-00348-w

[47] Seman, I. A., & Aripin, S. M. S. (2021). Nursery and field evaluation of Streptomyces nigrogriseolus GanoSA1 to control basal stem rot in oil palm seedlings. The Planter, Kuala Lumpur, 97 (1141): 219-236.

Author Biographies

Hilwa Walida, Department of Agrotechnology, Faculty Science and Technology, Labuhanbatu University, Labuhanbatu Indonesia

Author Origin : Nigeria

Siti Mardiana, Department of Agrotechnology, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Medan Area, Medan, Indonesia

Author Origin : Nigeria

Tri Koryati, Department of Agrotechnology, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Amir Hamzah Medan, Indonesia

Author Origin : Indonesia

Fitra Syawal Harahap, Department of Agrotechnology, Faculty Science and Technology, Labuhanbatu University, Labuhanbatu Indonesia

Author Origin : Indonesia

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

How to Cite

Hilwa Walida, Siti Mardiana, Tri Koryati, & Fitra Syawal Harahap. (2026). Microbial Ecology And Intervention Strategies For Suppressing Ganoderma boninense In Oil Palm Plantation: A Systematic Literature Review. International Journal of Science, Technology & Management, 7(3), 422–433. https://doi.org/10.46729/ijstm.v7i3.1425