Future Basal Stem Rot, Oil Palm Mortality and Climate Scenarios for Oil Palm Compared to Climate Scenarios for Alternative Crops
Round 1
Reviewer 1 Report
Comments and Suggestions for AuthorsThe author reported the Future Basal Stem Rot, Oil Palm Mortality and Climate Scenarios for Oil Palm Compared to Climate Scenarios for Alternative 3 Crops. Although the ms is interesting it masked by several contradictory statements as listed below.
Contradictions
The author stated that “OP have greater potential for food security and sustainability than annual crops, referencing Cox et al. [23], but contradictorily concluded that soybean, which is an annual crop could replace OP. Please reconcile how an inferior perennial could becomes the preferred climate-resilient alternative.
According to authors literature review, large tropical areas may become unsuitable for soybean under climate change [29]. But proceeded to conclude that soybean remains highly suitable in Indonesia, Malaysia, and Thailand, which are tropical.
Ecoclimatic Index (EI) Percentages
It quite confusing how the WSC values and trend lines exceeded 100% in many instances (103% in the case of Malaysia and Thailand). If the EI scaled ranges 0–100 and WSC is obtained from weighted suitability, then the values above 100% are invalid. Right? Authors need to explain this further or recheck the calculating of WSC and regression lines.
Materials and Methods
“The percentages of suitable climates were assessed visually to provide percentage suitabilities for growing OP as determined by the colours of the maps”
Visual observation could be subjective and may not be reproducible. Concerns
How pixel areas were quantified?, Were GIS softwares was used?, How was the inter-observer bias avoided?
Authors also asserted that Ganoderma boninense may be mycotoxigenic, but also stated that this reports do not confirm production. Please clearly separate hypothesis from demonstrated fact. However, no evidence is available currently to show that Ganoderma boninense can produce mycotoxins.
It will also be interesting to analyze yield equivalence, economic feasibility, land-use implications, or deforestation risk.
Minor typos where observed …. Malysia”, “Sundra”
Comments for author File: 
Comments.pdf
Author Response
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Author Response File: Author Response.pdf
Reviewer 2 Report
Comments and Suggestions for AuthorsThis manuscript modeled the impact of climate change on the distribution of basal stem rot and oil palm mortality in Indonesia, Malaysia, and Thailand. Climate suitability for oil palm will decrease by 2100. Climate change will allow the cultivation of soybeans and maize, but not common beans. The presented method can be used for other crops.
L.86. “CC climate” = “changing climate climate.” Rephrase please.
L.145-146. To calculate basal stem rot and oil palm mortality in Indonesia, Malaysia, and Thailand, data from [11], [12], and [13] were used, respectively. However, these references present studies for Malaysia [11], Kalimantan, the Philippines, Papua New Guinea, Myanmar, and Thailand [12], and Malaysia [13]. Clarify please.
L.179-181. For maize and soybeans, climate maps from [30] and [24] were used, respectively. However, these references present studies for common beans [30] and canola [24]. Clarify please.
Table 2. This data is best presented graphically as maps.
Author Response
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Author Response File: Author Response.pdf
Reviewer 3 Report
Comments and Suggestions for AuthorsThis research topic is undoubtedly very important and practically significant, and the relevance of such studies is undeniable. The productivity and quality of important agricultural crops, especially in a changing climate, requires immediate solutions. This is the focus of this work, which includes a search for microorganisms that can (or will) help plants adapt to changing climates, water regimes, and nutrient availability.
As the first, pioneering studies with microorganisms, there is sufficient data for this work, but the author needed to think ahead to solve the problem using new strains of microorganisms, including fungi, which are increasingly used in fields with agricultural industrial crops.
In addition to soybeans and corn, for which Thailand's climate is not ideal (unless new, sustainable, and productive varieties are developed), the focus should be on helping oil palms adapt, for which Thailand's climate is currently the most optimal.
Another research option is the development of new original fertilizer mixtures for oil palms, as well as soybeans and corn.
Author Response
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Author Response File: Author Response.pdf
Reviewer 4 Report
Comments and Suggestions for AuthorsThe topic is important and potentially valuable, especially for climate adaptation planning in tropical agroecosystems. However, documents have already been presented that offer comparative and standardized approaches across crops in the face of climate change. The document should emphasize its contribution to existing knowledge. However, the manuscript has major methodological weaknesses that limit the reliability of its conclusions. Paterson, R. R. M. (2019). Ganoderma boninense disease of oil palm to significantly reduce production after 2050 in Sumatra if projected climate change occurs. Microorganisms, 7(1), 24. This article presents some previous results of this prediction. What new contribution would this article make? Single older climate models are used and SSP/RCP frameworks are not considered The figures are difficult to interpret; the colors of the bars are not clear, and the lines are too thick, making the figures difficult to read. Line 214 mentions that the WSC trend line decreases from 103% to 65%. How is it possible to have a percentage of 103% if the WSC is calculated up to 100%? Figure 5 presents the changes in the WSC, BSR OPM in Thailand; however, only three data points are presented: 2015, 2050, and 2100. For the other locations, data from 2015, 2050, 2070, and 2100 are available. This could underestimate the results obtained, the discussion, and the conclusions. The conclusions do not consider, and are not sufficiently supported by, economic, agronomic and sociopolitical factors that would suggest that soybean crops could replace oil palm.
Author Response
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Author Response File: Author Response.pdf
Round 2
Reviewer 1 Report
Comments and Suggestions for AuthorsAlthough the author have responded to most of the comments, I recommend further improving the section addressing mycotoxins. There is growing evidence that certain mycotoxins can be transferred into the extracted oils. Please read https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodcont.2025.111582 to enrich the mycotoxin background and the potential of mycotoxin being found in oil..
Author Response
Comment 1. Although the author have responded to most of the comments, I recommend further improving the section addressing mycotoxins. There is growing evidence that certain mycotoxins can be transferred into the extracted oils. Please read https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodcont.2025.111582 to enrich the mycotoxin background and the potential of mycotoxin being found in oil..
Response 1. Thank you for the reference which was very interesting. A citation to the paper has been included and the paragraph rewritten somewhat.
Reviewer 4 Report
Comments and Suggestions for AuthorsThe paper was significantly enhanced by addressing the comments made on the text, which clarified the scope of the work. Several graphs were refined to provide a clearer presentation of the results. Additionally, the inclusion of new paragraphs and targeted corrections substantially increased the overall quality of the paper.
Author Response
Comment 1. The paper was significantly enhanced by addressing the comments made on the text, which clarified the scope of the work. Several graphs were refined to provide a clearer presentation of the results. Additionally, the inclusion of new paragraphs and targeted corrections substantially increased the overall quality of the paper.
Reply 1. I agree and thank the reviewer for these comments.
