Investigating biotic and abiotic components in Blenheim soil series (Typic Quartzipsamment) responsible for suppressing Basal Stem Rot (BSR) incidence in oil palm

Disease-suppressive Blenheim soil (DS-BhS) records lower incidences of Ganoderma basal stem rot (BSR) compared to disease-conducive Bernam soil (DC-BeS). The potential of DS-BhS in suppressing Ganoderma BSR incidence is of great interest. DS-BhS exhibits higher prokaryotic and eukaryotic diversity, soil pH, calcium content, actinomycete counts, disease-suppressive microbial taxa, and metabolically diverse bacterial taxa compared to DC-BeS. The naturally occurring microbiota in the DS-BhS aids in disease suppression. Introducing biocontrol agents isolated from DS-BhS to sterilized DS-BhS does not restore its suppressiveness, highlighting the importance of intact soil microbial biomass and activity for effective Ganoderma control.