Faded Bacteria Disease

Faded bacterial disease is one of the important diseases in the patchouli in West Sumatra, North Sumatra, and Nanggroe Aceh Darussalam (NAD). The disease is caused by the Ralstonia solanacearum bacterium and can reduce production of patchouli until 60% to 80% so that become a constraint in increasing of patchouli product. Pathogenic control can be done by using resistant varieties, namely Sidikalang, cultivation techniques (fertilization, organic, and mulsa), biological pesticides (Pseudomonas fluorescens and Bacillus spp.), Vegetable pesticide (Serai), chemical control (bakterisida), and limit the spread of pathogenic from infected areas to other areas.

To control of fading bacterial diseases must be conducted with the integrated control combining various techniques. Patchouli commodity (Pogostemon cablin Benth) is an important export commodity in Indonesia. Patchouli oil exports reached 1,276 tons with a value of U.S. $ 19,264 million (Directorate General of Agriculture 2006). Indonesian patchouli oil is the largest exporter in the world to supply nearly 90% of the world needs of patchouli oil (Asman 1996). Therefore, the patchouli oil is expected to increase sources of income from the state sector non fuel and gas.

Patchouli oil has a good prospects to meet the needs of perfume and cosmetics industry. Patchouli oil can also be used as an antiseptic, insecticide, and aromatherapy. Patchouli alcohol is the main components of patchouli oil and is used as an indicator of patchouli oil quality.

One of the diseases causes among other is faded disease bacteria which can reduce production from 60% to 80% (Asman et al. 1993). This disease has spread to almost all patchouli production centers in West Sumatra, NAD, and North Sumatra, even of late have been found in West Java and central Java. This faded bacteria also attack other young plant like papaya, tomato, spinach, potato and other vegetable plant.