Nano formulation for controlling basal stem rot disease in oil palm via trunk injection
A novel nano-formulation designed to combat basal stem rot (BSR) disease in oil palm, leveraging electrostatic attraction with fungal cell membranes for targeted bioactive delivery. In vitro results show comparable efficacy to leading chemical fungicides, with glasshouse trials underway to validate field performance and residue profiles.
Overview
This solution is a new nano-formulation developed to control Basal Stem Rot (BSR) disease in oil palm, a devastating infection caused by the fungus Ganoderma boninense. The formulation is designed for trunk injection delivery and exploits the electrostatic attraction between nano-sized droplets and the charged lipids of fungal cell membranes. This targeted interaction enables efficient delivery of bioactive compounds directly to the pathogen while enhancing formulation stability. The technology addresses a critical challenge for the palm oil industry, where BSR causes significant yield losses and tree mortality.
Technical specifications
- Mechanism of action: Nano droplets bind electrostatically to charged lipids in fungal cell membranes, disrupting healthy Ganoderma boninense cells and causing severe structural damage to mycelium.
- In vitro performance: Achieved 62.50% growth inhibition at 1.0 mg/ml after 7 days of incubation, comparable to the chemical fungicide hexaconazole at 60.83%.
- Microscopic evidence: Treated fungal mycelium displayed disrupted, uneven, shrivelled, and severely damaged cell structures.
- Delivery method: Trunk injection into oil palm seedlings, targeting the pathogen within the host.
- Particle characteristics: Small-sized particles that improve formulation stability and bioactive compound delivery efficiency.
Technology readiness level
The formulation has completed in vitro validation with strong efficacy results comparable to commercial chemical fungicides. The next stage involves glasshouse trials at Universiti Putra Malaysia using oil palm seedlings inoculated with Ganoderma boninense via rubber wood block inoculum. Trials will follow a Split Plot Design and measure Disease Severity Index, Disease Incidence, and Percent Disease Reduction. Additional assessments will quantify residue ranges, decline rates, Supervised Trial Median Residue values, and maximum residue limits to establish good agricultural practice guidelines. The technology is currently at an early-to-mid stage of development, progressing from laboratory validation toward controlled environment testing.
About Universiti Putra Malaysia
Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) is a comprehensive public research university in Serdang, Greater Kuala Lumpur, with a campus that integrates classroom, laboratory, and field-testing environments. Companies engage through co-located labs, on-campus testbeds, and university-run farms that enable prototyping and trials close to production supply chains. Health system integration and proximity to Putrajaya’s ministries and the Cyberjaya tech corridor facilitate collaboration and timely access to partners. Research is supported by competitive funding from Malaysia’s Ministry of Higher Education, the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation, and international sponsors. A dedicated technology transfer office manages IP, licensing, and startup support, connecting companies with faculty expertise and specialized facilities.
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