Assessment of Basal Stem Rot Disease Distribution in Palm Oil Plantation Using Geographical Information System

Abstract

The concurrent advances in global positioning systems (GPS) and Geographical Information Systems (GIS) techniques have provided powerful analysis tools for precision agriculture. This study will focus on how Geographical Information System (GIS) can help to assess the distribution Basal Stem Rot Diseases (BSR) on oil palm plantation. Basal Stem Rot (BSR) is caused by Ganoderma Boninense, and it is the most serious disease for oil palm trees in Malaysia. The fungus infects oil palm trees, initially causing yield loss and finally killing the trees. Various factors were previously reported to influence incidence of BSR, such as previous crops, techniques for replanting, types of soils, density and the age of trees. At present, effective and sustainable management strategies to control BSR are hampered mainly by a lack of understanding of mechanisms of disease establishment, development and spread. The study aims to apply spatial analysis methods to investigate the behaviours of BSR. Data for analysis were obtained from oil palm plantation at Teluk Intan, Perak, Malaysia.