I refer to the letter Ganoderma threat to oil palm industry .

The writer cited that incurable oil palm disease called Ganoderma Basal Stem Rot (BSR) is a major threat in the oil palm industry and that tt has cost the nation thousands of ringgit in finding a remedial measure.

I had witnessed the spread of the disease in palms as young as 9-10 years old and even in some immature palms during my trips to oil palm estates in Johor. I have also studied through articles and site visits the widespread occurrence of this disease in coastal areas.

However, I disagree that this disease is 'incurable' as my team of researchers has developed a biological control method to counter attack Ganoderma boninensis sp., the predominant species causing BSR.

We have painstakingly observed the improvement of the palm's health for a period of more than one year. The present fruiting body of the disease will decay and more importantly, there were no new fruiting body emerging from the same palm.

It was also important that the surrounding palms were not succumbing to the disease. Since we have visited many estates with similar problems, we have learnt to recognise the adaptability of Ganoderma in different soil environments and thus able to work with dosages of our bio-control agent.

Therefore, I believe that there is a cure for Ganoderma BSR disease, if only we openly understand the concept of survival of the fittest. In this case, lets hope the survivor is our oil palm.