Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi as a possible biocontrol agent for Malaysian oil palm industry

Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) are obligate symbionts, giving mutual benefit to both the plant host and fungus. The commercially produced soil-based mixed inoculum, Draz-M, has been widely applied in the Malaysian agricultural sector such as oil palm, cocoa, rubber, forest plants, vegetables, fruit trees and tobacco. Draz-M has been found to prolong productivity of 25-year old Ganodemra-infected oil palms between 42 and 68 per cent in yield (4). Twenty-three year old Ganodemza-infected palms treated with mixed AMF inoculum produced new fronds and inflorescence after 3 months of inoculation. The nursery stage of oil palm inoculated with mixed AMF inoculum showed significant growth of plant, root biomass and increased mycorrhizal infection and spore number.