15 December 2022 - The Deputy Director of Institute of Plantation Studies, Prof. Dr. Wong Mui Yun was invited as an expert panel to attend the “IRRDB Special Meeting of the Experts on the Pestalotiopsis Leaf Disease” organized by the International Rubber Research and Development Board (IRRDB) which took place at the Conference Room, Level 1, Natural Rubber Building, Kuala Lumpur. A total of six IRRDB member countries which are also the main rubber-producing countries including Malaysia, Indonesia, Vietnam, India, Thailand, and Sri Lanka presented their findings related to the major leaf fall disease in rubber which is caused by the fungal pathogen Pestalotiopsis.

Pestalotiopsis infecting the leaves, stalks, and fruit of rubber trees. However, the infection is more serious on the leaves, where severe infection resulting in continuous defoliation up to 90 percent. Apart from that, this infection may also affect and reduce the latex production up to 60 percent. In this special meeting, Prof. Dr. Wong had actively participated in the presentation and open discussion session related to the latest findings of related research, as well as preventive measures to control the spread of this disease.

Date of Input: 11/01/2023 | Updated: 11/01/2023 | ainzubaidah