The present innovation utilizes fungicidal and/or fumigation treatments, together with a correct nano-carrier system or active agent delivery vehicle to suppress and control the Ganoderma disease on the oil palm. Fungicidal and fumigation treatments have been proved to inhibit the growth of Ganoderma boninense.

Nanotechnology could provide a promising development in the agriculture sector. In particular, nanomaterials in agriculture aim to reduce the chemical product doses sprayed by efficient delivery of active ingredient, increase yield, and minimize the nutrient loses during fertilization. Hence, using nanotechnology platforms, active agents of fungicide and/or fumigant can be encapsulated into a biopolymer matrix for the formation of fungicide and/or fumigant nano-delivery system and transported it to the target more effectively. However, the excessive use of fungicides has raised environmental concerns. Thus, to minimize this toxicity, nano-fungicide and/or fumigant delivery system is introduced in which the fungicide and/or fumigant is encapsulated into a carrier of biopolymer.  They exhibit site-specific delivery systems, increase the bioavailability with prolong circulation time. They also can penetrate into the plant tissue thus allows the efficient delivery of fungicide and fumigant into the target site of the plant tissue.  This could overcome the consumer- and environmental-related problems, and the same time could increase the crop yield production.

Palm oil production is vital for the economy of Malaysia, which is the world's second-largest producer of the commodity. Oil palm is planted in more than 5.5 million hectares which utilizing the largest agricultural land area for more than 60%. However, this tree is threatened by the most devastating disease, Ganoderma disease where the estimated yield losses in Malaysia due to this disease is about RM 1.5 billion. Fungicidal chemical treatments and fumigation can be considered as the immediate short-term control measures. The use of systemic fungicides and soil fumigant, together with a correct technique of application helps to suppress and control of the Ganoderma disease on the oil palm. However, up to this date, no single control was reported could effectively control this disease in the field.  

The use of NANODERMA in combating Ganoderma disease in oil palm cultivation has many advantages such as;

• The controlled release properties will decrease the fungicide wastage and increase fungicide efficacy.
• Reduced leaching and volatilization.
• Low toxicity and green innovation.
• The long circulation time would help in reducing the labor cost

Researcher

Prof. Dr. Mohd Zobir Hussein
Institute of Advanced Technology, UPM
Email: mzobir@upm.edu.my

Date of Input: 02/10/2019 | Updated: 02/10/2019 | asrizam