Comparing interfertility data with random amplified microsatellites DNA (RAMS) studies in Ganoderma Karst. Taxonomy
The taxonomy of the causal pathogen of basal stem rot of oil palms, Ganoderma is somewhat problematic at present. In order to determine the genetic distance relationship between G. boninense isolates and non-boninense isolates, a random amplified microsatellites DNA (RAMS) technique was carried out. The result was then compared with interfertility data of G. boninense that had been determined in previous mating studies to confirm the species of G. boninense. Dendrogram from cluster analysis based on UPGMA of RAMS data showed that two major clusters, I and II which separated at a genetic distance of 0.7935 were generated. Cluster I consisted of all the biological species G. boninense isolates namely CNLB, GSDK 3, PER 71, WD 814, GBL 3, GBL 6, OC, GH 02, 170 SL and 348781 while all non-boninense isolates namely G. ASAM, WRR, TFRI 129, G. RES, GJ, and CNLM were grouped together in cluster II. Although the RAMS markers showed polymorphisms in all the isolates tested, the results obtained were in agreement with the interfertility data. Therefore, the RAMS data could support the interfertility data for the identification of Ganoderma isolates.
Comparative Studies on Ganoderma (Karst.) from Infected Oil Palm and Coconut Stumps with Special Reference to Their Morphological, Molecular and Isozyme Characteristics
The basal stem rot of oil palm caused by Ganoderma i s the most serious 
disease infecting oil palm in South-east Asia. It is believed that coconut stumps 
which are colonized by Ganoderma can act as sources of inoculum for i nfection to 
healthy palms through root contact. However, it is not known whether the 
Ganoderma infecting oil palm and those colonizing coconut stumps are the same 
species. Therefore, a comparative study was conducted to determine the 
similarities and differences between Ganoderma isolates from infected oil palm 
and coconut stumps, using a multidisciplinary approaches in which morphological. 
biochemical (intracellular and extracellular enzyme systems) and molecular 
characteristics (RAPD, RAMS, RFLP and direct sequencing of the ITS regions + 
5 . 8 S gene of rDNA) were analysed. Based on the morphological characteristics of the basidiomata, Ganoderma 
from infected oil palm and coconut stumps conformed to the description of G. 
boninense in Steyaert's classification system for Ganoderma ( 1 967 and 1975 ). The 
growth on various media and at different temperatures, and the cultural 
characteristics of the isolates from infected oil palm and coconut stumps were 
similar with no significant difference observed between the two groups of 
Ganoderma. However, the isolates were somatically incompatible with one 
another, which indicated that they were genotypically distinct individuals and not 
clones of a genotypic individual. 
The isozyme profiles from intracellular and extracellular enzyme systems, 
and the DNA profiles from RAPD, RAMS and RFLP of the ITS regions + 5 . 8 S 
gene revealed that Ganoderma isolates from infected oil palm and coconut stumps 
were very variable. Nucleotide sequences of the ITS regions + 5 . 8 S gene of rDNA 
from a limited number of isolates also showed that the isolates from both groups of 
Ganoderma were very variable. The Southern hybridization of RAMS gel showed 
that labelled probes from oil palm and coconut hybridized to the common bands of 
1 .2 kb by from primer (CGA)5 and 1 .4 kb band by primer (ACA)5 which indicated 
that the bands of the same molecular sizes are likely to be homologous. 
Cluster analysis based on data from biochemical and molecular characters, 
and phylogenetic analysis of the nucleotide sequence showed that the oil palm 
isolates and the coconut isolates did not cluster separately which indicated that 
isolates of both groups of Ganoderma are closely related.
Taxonomic and Electrophoretic Studies of Selected Species of Ganoderma (Karst.)
Ganoderma, the causal pathogen of Basal Stem Rot, is found 
in association with all major plantation crops in Malaysia, but the 
most severe debilitation caused is when they are found on oil palms. 
It is not known how many species/pathogenic types there are, 
whether a differential degree of virulence existed, and whether the 
fungus is host-specific. Ganoderma taxonomy is still controversial 
and could not effectively aid pathological considerations. This study was carried out to fulfill 4 main objectives. The first was to 
determine the diversity and percentage distribution of sporophore 
types found in association with oil palms. The second was to 
determine a means of inducing sporophore production under 
controlled conditions, starting from mycelial cultures. The third 
was to characterise the samples based on sporophore morphology, 
mycelial types and vegetative compatibility of isolates within and 
between groups. The fourth was to assess the relationship of 
Ganoderma within and between sampling groups using the 
Numerical Taxonomy Systematics computer programme based on 
Roger's Distance Measure (DJ The raw data were obtained from 
isozyme electrophoresis, using mycelial extracts. A morphological 
assessment showed a total of seven colour types found on oil palms 
and coconut stumps in West Malaysia. Four were recognised as G. 
boninense, G. miniatocinctum, G. chalceum and G. tornatum, 
but descriptions for three others (CT3, CT5 and CT7) could not 
be found and were assumed yet to be taxonomically annotated. 
Success with sp orophore induction techniques has aided 
morphological characterisation procedures in this study and its 
viability has introduced a potential basis for a further and more 
intensive conventional systematics investigations. Mycelial 
characterisation did not show any correlation with the variety of 
sporophore colours. Isozyme electrophoresis did not reciprocate the polymorphism exhibited by Ganoderma sporophores, but 
yielded important informations on distance relationships. Acid 
Phosphatase and Malate Dehydrogenase were good marker 
isozymes as they could distinguish successfully, isolates of palmhosts 
from isolates of tree-hosts. No similar marker-isozyme existed 
for isolates within the palm-hosts, although (with the exception of 
EGP series for Cholinesterase) no isolate from oil palm showed 
bands identical to the isolates from coconut stumps and vice versa. 
The resultant dendrogram based on Roger's Distance (D) showed 
three major clusters at 0.31, 0.48 and 0.66. The first major cluster 
divides the population into isolates of palm-hosts vs. tree-hosts. 
Results from numerical analysis showed that host type was a 
stronger basis for a close relationship, and that geographical origin 
and/or a common symptomology was less relevant.