EFFECT OF SALICYLIC ACID IN OIL PALM SEEDLINGS INFESTED WITH Thielaviopsis paradoxa

ABSTRACT

Elaeis guineensis, sometimes referred to as African oil palm is indigenous to the western part of Africa. It is one of the major sources of edible oil around the world. The fungus Thielaviopsis paradoxa plays a crucial role in the destruction of oil palm seedlings due to its ability to degrade lignin, a key component of plant cell walls, contributing to the characteristic black discoloration observed in infected tissues. Salicylic acid, is a phytohormone which is involved in plant defense regulation against pathogens and pests. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of salicylic acid in oil palm seedlings infested with Thielaviopsis paradoxa. The present study was carried out using a total of forty (40) oil palm seedlings, separated into four (4) distinct groups. Group I (normal control); Group II (negative control: infested oil palm seedlings); Group III (positive control: normal oil palm seedlings exposed to only salicylic acid); Group IV (treatment group, containing infested palm seedlings exposed to salicylic acid). The results of this study showed that inoculating young oil palm seedlings with Thielaviopsis paradoxa led to significant reductions in the concentrations of plant biomolecules such as chlorophyll, sugar, starch, vitamins, carbohydrates, protein, and proanthocyanidin. However, on application of salicylic acid, the infested oil palm seedlings noticeably increased the concentrations of the plant biomolecules (p < 0.05). The results of this study show that salicylic acid exhibit both positive and restorative effects on infested plant samples.