In News
- Researchers from Kerala have identified two new species of fungi from the genus Ganoderma that are associated with coconut stem rot.
About
- Researchers have genotyped the two fungi species, named Ganoderma keralense and G. pseudoapplanatum and identified genetic biomarkers.
- This discovery was based on morphological characters, DNA sequences of the Kerala collections and phylogenetic analyses by comparing DNA of all Ganoderma species known worldwide.
- The DNA barcodes have been made publicly available in DNA sequence repositories so that future studies can use them for the early detection of the pathogen.
- Species-specific disease prevention strategies can now be developed.
What is Basal stem rot(BSR)?
- The disease is caused by Ganoderma boninense.
- It is a major disease in oil palm plantations and there is no effective fungicide to control this disease.
- It is a disease that has a significant impact on oil palm crops in Malaysia and Indonesia.
- The butt rot or basal stem rot of coconut is known by several names in different parts of India:
- Ganoderma wilt (Andhra Pradesh), Anaberoga (Karnataka) and Thanjavur wilt (Tamil Nadu)
- Symptoms:
- The infection begins at the roots, but symptoms include discolouration and rotting of stems and leaves.
- In the later stages, the flowering and nut set decreases and finally the coconut palm (Cocos nucifera) dies.
- A reddish-brown oozing is seen.
- This oozing has been reported only in India.
- Losses
- This causes a huge loss: By some estimates made in 2017, in India, around 12 million people are said to depend on coconut farming.
Source: TH
