Microsatellite analysis on oil palm (Elaeis guineensis) tolerance to Ganoderma boninense

Palm oil plants (Elaeis guineensis) are nowadays an economically significant crop. Oil palm plantations in Asia, especially in Indonesia and Malaysia encounter the threat of basal stem root (SBR) diseases caused by Ganoderma boninense. The research aimed to analyze the microsatellite markers of oil palm tolerance to G. boninense. The plant material used in this observation was two cross-series of genetic material belonging to PT Socfin Indonesia. The materials have been known as the level of resistance to Ganoderma, the first is cross-series of 15-year-old oil palm in the field, and the second is a new cross-series for early detection in the nursery stage. The quality and quantity test showed that DNA was successfully isolated and can then be used for DNA amplification. The seven primers with DNA banding patterns clearly detected visible in one band. The target genes associated with resistance to SBR disease are found in almost all individual oil palm plants. Furthermore, the low PIC (Polymorphic Informative Content) value of the seven primers except for the Rgen_Pto primer showing the high PIC in the leaf tissue and mature plant roots, suggested the potential molecular marker of this primer for selection of tolerant palm against G. boninense.