Marker-assisted selection (MAS) offers a powerful method for optimizing the development of diseaseresistant oil palm (E. guineensis Jacq.). An efficient and cost-effective approach involves investigating the genetic basis of resistance by directly exploiting data from ongoing breeding programs. Our results on Fusarium wilt, caused in Africa by Fusarium oxysporum F. sp. elaeidis, and on Basal Stem Rot (BSR), caused by Ganoderma boninense in Southeast Asia, illustrate the potential of this approach for identifying the genomic regions responsible for oil palm disease resistance. They provide key information not only on the genomic regions targeted by MAS, but also on the complexity of the genetic architecture of disease resistance, the genetic sources of favourable alleles, and the potential relationships between different traits of interest. MAS leverages as well knowledge of pathogens. In this context, the G. boninense–oil palm pathosystem is attracting increasing interest within the scientific community. An early inoculation test, enabling the induction of BSR in young seedlings under controlled conditions, allowed the identification of resistance Quantitative Trait Loci (QTL). This method, commonly used for selecting partially resistant progeny, allows for functional studies on the interactions between G. boninense and oil palm. Pathogen's genetic diversity data have led to a better understanding of the importance of sexual reproduction, scale of spore dispersal and of the demographic dynamics of the species in South- East Asia. A transcriptomic study performed on artificially inoculated oil palms showed that G. boninense expresses enzymes already known to be involved in the aggressiveness of other white rot fungi like CAZymes wood decay enzymes and detoxification proteins. The complete genome sequence of G. boninense further enhances our knowledge.
- CIRAD's advanced research towards marker assisted selection of high yielding resistant oil palm (E. guineensis Jacq.): Integrating plant genetics, phytopathology and genomics approaches
- Sébastien Tisne - Université de Montpellier, Institut Amélioration Génétique & Adaptation des Plantes méditerranéennes & tropicales - AGAPAurélie Daval - Université de Montpellier, Institut Amélioration Génétique & Adaptation des Plantes méditerranéennes & tropicales - AGAPNorbert Billotte - Université de Montpellier, Institut Amélioration Génétique & Adaptation des Plantes méditerranéennes & tropicales - AGAPFlorence Jacob - PalmElit SAS (France)Michaël Pernaci - PalmElit SAS (France)Jacques Dossa - Institut National de Recherche Agricole du BéninCharles Poncet - Institut National de Recherche pour l'Agriculture, l'Alimentation et l'EnvironnementDavid Lopez - Université de Montpellier, Institut Amélioration Génétique & Adaptation des Plantes méditerranéennes & tropicales - AGAPMarie Denis - Université de Montpellier, Institut Amélioration Génétique & Adaptation des Plantes méditerranéennes & tropicales - AGAPFrédéric Breton - Université de Montpellier, Institut Amélioration Génétique & Adaptation des Plantes méditerranéennes & tropicales - AGAPAlexandre Vaillant - Université de Montpellier, Institut Amélioration Génétique & Adaptation des Plantes méditerranéennes & tropicales - AGAPMaxime Mercière - SocfinIndra Syahputra - SOCFINDOMichel Gomes - Université de Montpellier, Institut Amélioration Génétique & Adaptation des Plantes méditerranéennes & tropicales - AGAPStéphanie Sidibé-Bocs - Université de Montpellier, Institut Amélioration Génétique & Adaptation des Plantes méditerranéennes & tropicales - AGAPLétizia Camus-Kulandaivelu - Université de Montpellier, Institut Amélioration Génétique & Adaptation des Plantes méditerranéennes & tropicales - AGAP
- Plant and Animal Genome Conference (PAG 33) (San Diego, United States, 09/01/2026–14/01/2026)
- 99199930609311
- Institut Amélioration Génétique & Adaptation des Plantes méditerranéennes & tropicales - AGAP
- English
- Conference proceeding
- hal-05535727