UMS research on o alm cancer,

UMS
pE.
Kan
11-II"aolc{
Yaw Chong
research
on
o
1
i
The Vice ChancellorpraisedAgri-
liioteach
Marketing
and Kam
Cheong Plantations for have jointly
KOTA KINABALU:
funds
Malaysian
committed
totalling
oil
RM153,200 in researching for a betpalm plantations
ter
in
lose about US$500
ýN,
alternative
managing
ý
Ganoderma boninense. "
(about
million
-"lmmw
"More importantly,
RM1,600 million)
the trust
ý_ý
given to UMS as one of the leading
a year to a devasdisease
higher learning institutions
in
tating
Dr Chong:
Malaysia, " the Vice Chancellor
known as Basal
Lead researcher.
Stem Rot (BSR) or
pointed out.
"Basal Stem Rot (BSR) caused by
in plain language, cancer of oil palm,
Ganoderma boninense remains the
caused by Ganoderma boninense,
major disease threatening the prowith no remedy reported so far.
ductivity of oil palm in Southeast
The crippling disease with no
in sight threatens a key eco- Asia, "
said Dr Chong, a main driver
solution
in Malaysia which
of the R&D research project in
nomic sector
for 39pc of palm oil proUMS'
Oil
Sustainable
Palm
accounts
duction and 44pc of world exports Research Unit.
"The loss due to this disease is
or 12pc and 27pc of the world's
total production and exports of oils great and can reach as high as RM2
and fats, plus its employment of a billion a year in Malaysia, " Dr Chong
pointed out.
million people.
"The focus in managing this disCancerous attacks which often
trees
to
in
oil
palm
collapse
ease
mainly falls in two categories
cause
their prime is definitely bad news to which are the detection and control
of this devastating pathogen, " he
Sabah which has committed 1.5 million. hectares of land use to oil palm.
added.
"Numerous detection and conThe earnest search for an innovative and effective answer to halt the trol methods currently are available
in the market but none has shown
advances of ganoderma is on.
On Tuesday, Universiti Malaysia to be promising, " Dr Chong
Sabah (UMS) represented by its lead- asserted.
Engano 211 is a product of
ing research microbiologists such as
Dr Chong Khim Phin and his R&D Singapore and distributed by AgriBiotech Marketing Sdn Bhd.
team signed a Letter of Agreement
(LOA) with Kam Cheong Plantation
It is a combination of organic
Bhd
Agri-Bioteach
Sdn
and
acids and has shown some qualitaMarketing Sdn Bhd, a company
tive results and symptoms in limitthe
essential
advocates
which
needs ing the colonisation of Ganoderma
in treated oil palms, company
of planters to protect plants from
diseases and to grow crops in a man- sources claimed.
However, more thorough investiner that enhances the health of the
furgation needs to be carried out to
soil, plant and environment.
"I am delighted to know our
ther quantify, understand and scienSustainable Palm Oil Research Unit
tifically prove the effectiveness of
(SPOR) has been proactive to work
this product and to promote the
product to greater height for the
together with the oil palm industry
hand
in
benefit
in
tackling
imporhand
this
of the industry, Dr Chong
definitely
is
opined.
issue
which
going to
tant
The project came as a result of
benefit the industry, " said UMS Vice
Agri-Biotech taking the first move to
Chancellor Professor Datuk Dr Mohd
through
UMS approach UMS and Kam Cheong
Harun Abdullah,
Plantations to carry out a holistic
Datuk
Abdullah
Mohd
Registrar,
research for the product.
Said, at the LOA signing ceremony.
, ý`
alm
cancer,
_
The presentation
of mock
cheque for
RM153,000
to UMS.

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