IPB Professor Scientific Oration: Prof. Dr. Ir. Widodo, MS

Saturday 25 February 2023, a scientific oration by IPB University professors was held which was held at the Graha Widya Wisuda Building (GWW), one of the professors giving the speech was the professor of the Department of Plant Protection, Faculty of Agriculture - IPB Unversity namely Prof. Dr. Ir. Widodo, MS. In his oration Prof. Widodo presented material entitled "Ecological Approach in Plant Health Management: Dealing with Cases of Stem Rot Disease (Ganoderma boninense Pat.) in the Oil Palm Rejuvenation Program"

The following is a summary of Prof.'s scientific oration. Widodo:

Although the existence of base stem rot disease (BPB) caused by Ganoderma boninense has been known to exist in commercial oil palm plantations for more than 90 years and there have been many research results related to this problem, practically this disease is still the biggest problem in production to date.

The writing in this manuscript discusses various factors that influence BPB disease development and its management ecologically by prioritizing pre-emptive strategies through thorough understanding of the fundamental characteristics of the causes. Based on data up to 2020, this disease is one of the important factors causing a decrease in palm oil productivity in Indonesia. BPB disease problems are increasing from time to time due to the accumulation of inoculum sources in the field and the influence of several environmental factors, especially the soil environment, both abiotic and biotic. Due to the characteristics of G. boninense which is a weak pathogen, all environmental factors that reduce plant fitness can trigger the development of BPB disease. The main environmental factor that triggers the development of the disease is soil health problems, namely the depletion of nutrients that are not matched by adequate intake (abiotic) and reduced abundance and diversity of biodiversity (biotic), especially beneficial soil microbes that act as biological control agents ( bio-protection), a producer of growth hormones (bio-stimulant) and as a bio-fertilizer (bio-fertilizer). Improving soil health from the aspect of soil nutrient adequacy can be carried out through a massive and organized program to restore the nutrients contained in empty fruit bunches, especially for independent smallholder oil palm plantations. Meanwhile, actions can be taken to increase the role of beneficial microbes that have the functions mentioned above, either through the introduction of tested species in nurseries and plantings or through habitat management by planting certain intercrops that are suitable and have economic value or ground cover plants. Given the vast area of oil palm, the role of humans as a determining component of disease epidemics, and the need for good planning in management with a pre-emptive strategy, the involvement of various stakeholders (multi-stakeholders) is essential for the successful management of BPB disease and maintaining sustainability. future palm oil production.

The full scientific oration can be downloaded at the following link: Professor Prof. Scientific Oration. Dr. Ir. Widodo MS

The following is the video of the Professor's Scientific Oration Prof. Dr. Ir. Widodo