A rapid and simplified technique for inducing Ganoderma lucidum infections in coconut and arecanut seedlings

Ganoderma lucidum is a soil borne fungi known to cause Basal stem rot (BSR) or Thanjavur wilt or Ganoderma wilt disease in coconut as well as Foot rot or Anabe roga disease in arecanut plantations. Due to its soil borne nature, effectively managing the disease in field conditions is highly challenging. To combat this issue, the development of resistant or tolerant seedlings is crucial for sustainable production of coconut and arecanut palms. Therefore, a reliable and rapid method to assess resistance of palms to Ganoderma disease is essential. Here we report a rapid inoculation technique wherein seedlings were soaked in 5 days old mycelia cultures supplemented with 0.002% Tween 20 for a period of 60 min. The initial symptoms could be noticed 15 days after inoculation in arecanut and 30 days after inoculation in coconut. The technique ensures consistent infection, allowing disease evaluation as early as two weeks post inoculation with G. lucidum. Our results indicate that this new inoculation technique can be used routinely to screen coconut and arecanut seedlings for BSR disease and to evaluate the resistance of different cultivars to G. lucidum.•Developed a rapid, simple and efficient inoculation technique.•The technique was evaluated for coconut and arecanut seedlings as well as tissue culture plantlets.