Population dynamics of Fusarium species on oil palm seeds following chemical and heat treatments

Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. elaeidis may be present naturally on or within oil palm seeds, thus there is a risk of introducing the disease into previously wilt-free regions. A low proportion of infested seed was shown to give rise to infected plants. Populations of Fusarium spp. on seeds significantly declined after routine processing to induce seed germination, but the pathogen was not eradicated. However, vacuum infiltration and soaking for 7 days with captafol effectively eradicated the pathogen. The significance of F. oxysporum on oil palm seed as a potential inoculum source is discussed.