Electronic nose application in Ganoderma detection?

Abstract

The paper present a review of several studies on the detection of Ganoderma disease in oil palm. The disease known as 'Basal Stem Root' or BSR is currently a diesease of high economic importance as it has incurred high economic losses interm of revenue to the oil palm industry in South East Asia. The methods engaged in BSR detection are generally lab intensive and time consuming. Arrays of electronic sensors often dubbed as 'electronic noses' have been utilized to differentiate aromas of food and related materials. In addition, e-noses have also been used in medical diagnosis and microbial contamination studies in the environment. This technology is sensitive and accurate and gives quick results. It is fairly new and is still in the development phase, both in respect agriculture is yet to be exploited and this paper investigates the possibility of e-nose being used as a tool in the early detection of BSR.