The Department of Agronomy, Faculty of Agriculture Universitas Gadjah Mada (Faperta UGM), welcomed a visit from lecturers and students of the Seed Technology Study Program, Payakumbuh State Agricultural Polytechnic (PPNP), West Sumatra. The visit was part of a field trip and industrial tour involving 22 students accompanied by two lecturers. During their time at the UGM Department of Agronomy, the PPNP delegation was introduced to a range of seed technology tools at the Seed Technology Sub-Laboratory and biotechnology equipment at the Breeding Sub-Laboratory, including advanced DNA and RNA analysis tools for extraction, Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR), and further analysis.

Head of the Department of Agronomy UGM, Rani Agustina Wulandari, S.P., M.P., Ph.D., emphasized that this visit served as an excellent opportunity for PPNP students to deepen their understanding of seed technology, plant breeding, and biotechnology. The visit, held on Monday, 26 August 2024, was attended by other key faculty members, including Prof. Dr. Rudi Hari Murti, S.P., M.P., Head of the Seed Technology Laboratory; Prof. Dr. Ir. Aziz Purwantoro, M.Sc., Head of the Master’s Program in Plant Breeding; and Agus Budi Setiawan, S.P., M.Sc., Ph.D., a member of the smart farming management team at UGM Faculty of Agriculture.

Several topics were explored during the visit, including agro-innovation, seed technology activities, plant breeding, smart farming, and biotechnology.

“Given their purpose of learning more about seed technology practices, plant breeding, smart farming, and biotechnology, we guided them through our laboratories and introduced them to the smart farming melon greenhouse located atop the Rachmiwaty Building,” Rani explained.

Rani also noted that during the discussion session, the PPNP students expressed a strong interest in pursuing master’s studies in the Plant Breeding program at the UGM Department of Agronomy. They received detailed explanations about the department’s facilities, educational activities, and accomplishments, along with the new student registration process for the Faculty of Agriculture UGM.

Following this visit, both institutions discussed potential collaboration, starting with opportunities for further studies at the UGM Faculty of Agriculture, both for master’s and doctoral programs, as well as training sessions provided by the Faculty of Agriculture UGM for the Seed Technology Study Program at PPNP. Both UGM and PPNP expressed their commitment to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including: SDG 1:No Poverty, SDG 2:Zero Hunger, SDG 4:Quality Education, SDG 10:Reduced Inequalities, and SDG 17:Partnerships for the Goals

Writer: Hanita Athasari Zain, Ghorizatu Shofra
Editor: Desi Utami
Photo: Documentation by UGM Department of Agronomy

The Faculty of Agriculture at Universitas Gadjah Mada (Faperta UGM) held an Open Senate Meeting as the highlight of the 78th Anniversary celebration. The meeting took place at the Prof. Harjono Danoesastro Auditorium on Friday, 27 September 2024. During the event, the Dean of the Faculty of Agriculture UGM, Ir. Jaka Widada, M.P., Ph.D., presented a report on the achievements of the faculty over the past year, including innovations in research and community engagement carried out by the faculty.

The Senate Meeting was inaugurated by Prof. Dr. Ir. Irham, M.Sc., Chairperson of the Senate of the Faculty of Agriculture UGM. In addition to faculty members, staff, and students who attended as participants, the Rector of Universitas Gadjah Mada, Prof. dr. Ova Emilia, M.Med.Ed., Sp.OG(K)., Ph.D., was also present. She expressed her appreciation for the achievements of the Faculty of Agriculture UGM, emphasizing that these successes are the result of the hard work and contributions of senior pioneers and the academic community. The Rector highlighted that the agricultural sector is a cornerstone in providing quality food, playing a crucial role in supporting national food security and the economy.

Prof. Ova emphasized three main pillars crucial for exceptional progress in agriculture. First, the importance of being oriented towards societal needs rather than self-interest. Second, agricultural technologies must align with community cultures to ensure acceptance and proper implementation. Third, collaboration is the key to success, both internally within the campus and externally with outside stakeholders and global communities.

“I sincerely hope that this 78th Anniversary celebration of the Faculty of Agriculture, which carries the theme ‘Optimizing Land Utilization and Adapting to Global Climate Change to Achieve Food Sovereignty,’ can serve as a reflection and ignite a renewed spirit among us all to realize a better future for Indonesian agriculture,” said Prof. Ova.

As the peak event of the 78th Anniversary celebration, this meeting is expected to strengthen the Faculty of Agriculture UGM’s commitment to producing high-quality graduates and enhancing its contributions to national agricultural development. The event also underscores the faculty’s efforts to support several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs): SDG 1:No Poverty, SDG 2:Zero Hunger, SDG 12:Responsible Consumption and Production, SDG 13:Climate Action, and SDG 17:Partnerships for the Goals.

Writer: Alkhansa Khairunnisa, Ghorizatu Shofra
Editor: Hanita Athasari Zain
Photo: UGM Faculty of Agriculture Media

The Faculty of Agriculture Universitas Gadjah Mada (Faperta UGM) held the 14th National Seminar on Agricultural Research as part of the 78th Anniversary of the Faculty of Agriculture UGM on Saturday, 21 September 2024. During the event, participants were divided into eight classes focusing on specific agricultural fields. One of them was the Microbiology Class, held at the Agrotropical Learning Center (AGLC) of the Faculty of Agriculture UGM. This class highlighted the potential of microbes in supporting sustainable agriculture.

Fourteen participants joined the Microbiology Topic, which was divided into two sessions to present their research findings. Following the presentations, discussion sessions allowed participants to share their opinions. The research topics in this class varied widely, including two noteworthy studies by faculty members of the UGM Department of Agricultural Microbiology. These studies explored plant-growth-promoting bacteria for duckweed and microbes inducing rice resistance to biotic and abiotic stresses.

Desi Utami, S.P., M.Env.Sc., Ph.D., presented her study titled “Exploration of Plant Growth-Promoting Bacteria for Duckweed Growth”. She highlighted the significant potential of Plant Growth-Promoting Bacteria (PGPB) to enhance duckweed growth. Duckweed, an aquatic plant, can act as a phytoremediation agent for wastewater, offering advantages such as rapid growth and high protein content. Her research revealed that the bacterium Bacillus pumilus MRB4 demonstrated the best results.

“This study shows that inoculation with Bacillus pumilus MRB4 significantly increased the quantity and dry weight of duckweed (Lemna minor). The high PGPB activity of this bacterium, particularly in its high molecular weight protein fractions, indicates the presence of specific compounds that stimulate plant growth. Protein P26, isolated from MRB4, is strongly suspected to be the growth-promoting compound,” explained Desi.

Meanwhile, Susanti Mugi Lestari, S.P., M.Si., Ph.D., presented her research on Microbes Inducing Resistance in Gamagora Rice against Biotic and Abiotic Stresses. She explained that UGM’s Faculty of Agriculture successfully developed an inbred superior rice variety called Gamagora, suitable for cultivation in both wetland and dryland environments. Gamagora rice demonstrates resilience against various stresses, including pest attacks (biotic) and extreme environmental conditions (abiotic).

“The key to Gamagora rice’s resistance lies in the utilization of specific microbes, including Enterobacter flavescens and ACCD-producing endophytic bacteria isolate PCM8. These bacteria enhance plant resistance to stresses, thereby reducing dependency on chemical fertilizers and pesticides,” stated Susanti.

The 14th National Seminar on Agricultural Research exemplifies UGM’s commitment to supporting several SDGs: SDG 1:No Poverty, SDG 2:Zero Hunger, SDG 3:Good Health and Well-being, SDG 4:Quality Education, SDG 12:Responsible Consumption and Production, SDG 13:Climate Action, SDG 15:Life on Land, and SDG 17:Partnerships for the Goals.

Writer: Karina Nisa Intan Kusuma, Ghorizatu Shofra
Editor: Hanita Athasari Zain
Photo: UGM Faculty of Agriculture Media