Malaysian Journal of Sustainable Agriculture (MJSA)

Zingiber officinale, commonly known as ginger, is a valuable crop in Malaysia, recognized for its economic contributions, culinary significance, and medicinal properties. However, recent declines in ginger production, despite high market demand in Malaysia, gingers are largely attributed to diseases caused by numerous pathogens, primarily bacteria, fungi, and viruses. Diseases in ginger, including bacterial wilt, rhizome rot, leaf spot, and mosaic disease, pose significant challenges by reducing both the yield and quality of ginger, negatively impacting local farmers and the agricultural sector in Malaysia. While diseases such as bacterial wilt and rhizome rot exhibit overlapping symptoms, advancements in technology have facilitated diverse diagnostic approaches for their detection, allowing for accurate and rapid diagnoses. For instance, diagnostic methods such as RT-PCR, ELISA, LAMP, and machine learning algorithms are widely used for diagnostic purposes. Moreover, various control approaches have been introduced to manage disease infections including the application of fungicides, bactericides, seed and soil management, as well as physical and biological practices. This article addresses the recent issues concerning emerging diseases in ginger, highlighting advancements in diagnostic instruments and strategies for controlling the spread of these diseases in Malaysia.