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PROMOTING BIO-TOOLS FOR SUSTAINABLE OIL PALM

MANAGEMENT

MOHD KAMAL AHMADMalaysian Agri Hi-Tech Sdn Bhd (MYAGRI)

“Manila Declaration of Green Productivity”

1) Industrial development to be supported by technological advancement with focus on indigenous capacity to develop green products that support natural conservation.

2) Reorientation of agricultural development in applying environmental friendly methods.

3) Major industry which contributes significantly to national income and employment need to be the leader in green productivity

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MICROBESMalaysia is a blessed country with mega biodiversities.

Over one million species of microbes can be potentially harnessed.

Currently only 5-10% of these microbes have been identified and studied.

Microbial Kingdom is divided into four different major groups of interests.

There are: virus, bacteria, fungi and protista.

MICROBIAL KINGDOM

BACTERIA

VIRUS

FUNGI

PROTISTA(ALGAE)

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1. VIRUS 2. BACTERIA

4. PROTISTA3. FUNGI

algaefungal spores

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Microbes are differentiated through their specificity 1) Functions 2) Host specificity3) Range

Further differentiated bya) level of virulenceb) effectiveness

These factors are based on the environment in which these microbes are isolated.

POTENTIAL USE OF MICROBES

In the sustainable plantation management , such bio-tools are used:

1) Bio-fungicide2) Bio-pesticide3) Bio-fertilizer4) Bioremediation

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Bio-control involves the application of one organism to control another organism.

The concept of antagonismOne microbe suppresses the growth of the other via

i. Predatoringii. Inhibiting the growthiii. Out-competing the other.

BIO-CONTROL(bio-fungicide and bio-pesticide)

BIO-CONTROL(bio-fungicide and bio-pesticide)

Problem Bio-control Agent Note

Rat

Moth

Fusarium and Pythium

Bagworm

Ganoderma

Rhinoceros beetle

Sarcocystis singaporensis

Cordyceps militaris

Pseudomonas fluorescens

Bacillus thuringiensis

Trichoderma harzianum

Metarhizium anisopliae varmajor

Protozoa

Fungus

Bacteria

Bacteria

Fungus

Fungus

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Sarcocystis singaporensis

Sarcocystis singaporensis(parasitic protozoon)

Rattus, Bandicota and Nesokia indica. Sporocysts

Python reticulatus

Cyste

feces

infection

ingestionsporocysts

Cordyceps militaris

Cordyceps militaris growing on dead nettle caterpillar

Darna pallivitta

Cordyceps militaris

This fungus parasitises and kills moth pupae, and can be

used for nettle caterpillar in oil palm (Mitchel, 2000). It is an ascomycete that invades the

pupae in the ground. Eventually the fungus will fruit,

sending out unmistakable bright orange fruiting bodies above the ground (Mitchel,

2000).

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Pseudomonas fluorescens

Fusarium sp

Some P. fluorescens strains (CHA0 or Pf-5 for example) present bio-control

properties, protecting the roots of some plant species against parasitic

fungi such as Fusarium or Pythium, as well as some phytophagousnematodes (Loper 2005).

Bacillus sppBacillus subtilis

Bacillus thuringiensis var kurstakii

Bacillus species as a group offer several advantages over other bacteria for protection against root pathogens

because of their ability to form endospores, and because of the broad-spectrum activity of their antibiotics. It is known that formation of biofilms by B. subtilis is a complex process that

includes secretion of surfactin, a lipopeptide antimicrobial agent against pathogens; while Bacillus thuringiensisvar. Kurstakii is widely used for its toxin

production which is antagonistic to bagworms in oil palm (Ellis, 2005).

.

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Trichoderma spp

Several strains of Trichodermae.g. Trichoderma viride,

Trichoderma asperellum, Trichoderma harzianum,

Trichoderma hamatum - have been developed as bio-control agents against fungal diseases

of plants. The various mechanisms of action include antibiosis, parasitism, inducing

host-plant resistance, and competition (Harman, 2006)..

Beauveria bassiana

Colletotrichumcoffeanum

Beauveria bassiana is a fungus that occurs naturally in soils throughout the world. It

causes a fatal disease in various insects by acting as a parasite; it thus belongs to the entomopathogenic fungi. It can be developed as a bio-control against Metisa plana in the oil

palm.

Metisa plana(Bagworm)

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Oryctes rhinocerosRhinoceros beetle

Metarhizium anisopliae var major

Metarhizium anisopliae is a soil-inhabiting fungus that attacks a variety of insect

pests with its ‘green muscardine’ spores. This entomopathogenic fungus was first described in 1883 by Sorokin, but was

earlier used as a microbial agent against insects in 1879 by Elle Metschnikoff. Once the insect's skin is exposed to these living

spores, they germinate and start to penetrate the blood vessels. The fungus then invades the body cavity, producing toxins that cause paralysis. The insect

dies in two days.

MYAGRI R&D 2006

Metarhizium anisopliae

BIO-FERTILIZER

1) Enhancing nutrient uptake - Arbuscular Mycorrhiza Fungi (AMF)2) Promoting plant growth - Trichoderma spp.3) Symbiotic nitrogen fixation - Rhizobium spp.4) Non-symbiotic nitrogen fixation - Azotobacters5) Phosphate solubilisation - Phosphate solubilising bacteria (PSB)6) Promoting plant growth – Flavobacterium, Kluyvera, Serratia

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Arbuscular Mycorrhiza Fungi

Enhancing nutrient uptake

There are over 141 species of identified Arbuscular Mycorrhiza Fungi (AMF). Better palm vigor has lead to higher productivity of 8-10% in palms in difficult soils and improved defense against the Ganoderma proliferations in oil palm (MYAGRI R&D, 2007). As AMF fungal hypha extends more than 100-fold of the root lengths, it assists in transferring of better nutrients and water to the plant. It increased drought tolerance, infection of disease fungi and high soil acidity. The root systems are further improved in managing soil borne pathogen and root rotting conditions (Chen, 2006)..

Trichoderma spp

Promoting plant growth

Besides its bio-control properties, several Trichoderma spp. also act as plant growth promoters (PGP). The symbiotic relationship established between crops and Trichoderma spp. benefits in better nutrient and water uptake (Harman, 2006).

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Rhizobium spp.

Symbiotic nitrogen fixation

Rhizobium spp. as a symbiotic bacteria is able to fix atmospheric nitrogen and converting it into the form that can be taken by the plants. Rhizobium spp. has been reported as able to fix 50-300kg of N/ha, and it works best with the leguminous plants (Chen, 2006).

Azotobacters

Non-symbiotic nitrogen fixation

Without even needing to establish a symbiotic relationship with the plant, Azotobacters fix atmospheric nitrogen about 15-20 kg N/ha (Chen 2006).

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Phosphate Solubilizing Bacteria

Thiobacillus

Bacillus polymyxa

Bacillus megaterium

Phosphate solubilisation

Phosphorus tends to be fixed in acidic and calcareous soil, phosphate solubilising bacteria (PSB) helps to transform the phosphorus into a soluble form via production of specialisedorganic acids. In annual crop, PSB has been reported to increase yield by up to 200-500kg/ha, and a saving of 30-50kg/ha superphosphate is indicated (Chen, 2006).

Plant Growth Promoting Bacteria

Serratia

Kluyvera

FlavobacteriumPromoting plant growth

These bacteria are either capable of fixing targeted nutrients like nitrogen, phosphorus or iron and/or producing plant hormones such as auxins, cytokinins, ethylene and gibberellins. The applications of these PGRB increase the level of tolerance to environmental stresses such as high salinity, drought, heavy pesticide load and metal toxicity (Bashan & de-Bashan, 2005).

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BIOREMEDIATION

Conversion of green waste into organic fertiliserBacillus spp., Actinomycetes and Trichoderma spp.

Waste water treatmentAzospirillum spp.

Establishment of Oil Palms in sandy, dry and arid area

Arbuscular Mycorrhiza fungi

1. Conversion of green waste into organic fertilizer

Actinomycetes

T. harzianum

Bacillus subtilisA balance conversion of green waste from the oil

palm mill into organic fertiliser with C:N ratio less than 20, can be achieved through application of a group of Bacillus spp.,

Actinomycetes and Trichoderma spp.

(MYAGRI R&D, 2007).

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2. Wastewater treatment

Azospirillum spp.

Azospirillum spp. has been demonstrated to

enhance the capability of microalgae proliferation and metabolism which

allows the bioremediation of waste

water treatment (Hillel, 2005).

3. Establishment of plants in sandy, dry and arid areas

Plant growthpromoter

Arbuscular MycorrhizaFungi

Root infected with AMF

Revegetation of these areas can be enhanced using the

combinations of plant growth promoting bacteria and

arbuscular mycorrhiza fungi which can lead to soil

stabilization, reduce dust pollution and prevent soil

erosion (Hillel, 2005).

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12 Years of Strength Building in

Microbiological Products

PROBLEMS AND POTENTIALS

Capabilities to isolate and taxonomically identify Isolates with poor virulence and effectiveness Formulating these microbes into a product requires Developing the right and optimum dosageLogistics Delivery systems Lack of certified microbiological labs Transfer of microbes cross continents

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1. The microbes are viable.

2. Quantity or units of the active ingredient can be quantified on the basis of weight or volume.

3. Declaration of any `helper microbes’ or contaminants.

4. Particle size (if required).

5. Moisture content.

6. Species declaration.

7. Host specificity.

8. Proper QCA Protocol.

GOOD MICROBIOLOGICAL PRODUCT

CONCLUSIONEffective and quality microbial products have promising future as they are less dependent on the oil and gas sector and practically manageable renewable resources and often produced in good controlled environment and quality monitoring.

Beneficial microbes can be efficiently integrated in the cultural practice of plantation management without sacrificing the overall productivity.

A more proactive efforts in determining best practices by integrating these bio-tools and current methods need to be seriously considered for the economical and environmental benefits of the plantation industry.