Addressing Ganoderma Disease in Oil Palm Plantations: A Review of Effective Management Strategies and Implementation Challenges

Basal stem rot (BSR) caused by Ganoderma boninense is the most serious biological threat to oil palm plantations in Southeast Asia, with annual losses reaching hundreds of millions of dollars. This study aims to formulate effective control strategies through a qualitative literature review of 79 publications from the period 2020–2025 and the integration of practitioner experiences. The results affirm that comprehensive sanitation is the main foundation, while early detection technology and biological agents are only effective when supported by operational discipline. The greatest obstacles occur among smallholders due to financial and institutional limitations. This study recommends strengthening mandatory sanitation standards, subsidies for smallholders, and reforming extension services to ensure the sustainability of palm oil production.