On Friday, July 7, 2023, the Biolecture Series #24 was held as part of the regular webinar activities organized by the Faculty of Biology, Gadjah Mada University (UGM). The event focused on the theme “Physiology, Cultivation Techniques, Pest and Disease Control of Potato Plants” and was attended by 52 enthusiastic participants with a keen interest in agricultural development.
The webinar featured three expert speakers in their respective fields. The first speaker was Prof. Dr. Kumala Dewi, M.Sc.St., from the Plant Physiology Laboratory, Faculty of Biology, UGM. She presented on the topic of “Physiology of Potato Plants (Solanum tuberosum L.)” with the aim of understanding the physiology of potato plants and the factors that influence their growth and development, such as potato seeds, temperature, light, soil type, humidity, and nutrition.
The second speaker, Miftahul Huda, S.P., from Nusantara Farming Indonesia, discussed “Potato Seedling: Potentials and Challenges.” In his presentation, Miftahul Huda explained the strategies and technological advancements in potato seedling cultivation, as well as the challenges faced in potato farming, including the issues of Plant Pests and Diseases (PPD) that pose a major challenge in potato cultivation.
The final session was presented by Iswadi Prasetyo from PT. Corteva Agriscience, who addressed “Control of Major Pests and Diseases in Potato Plants.” Iswadi Prasetyo discussed effective pesticide application techniques for controlling pests and diseases in potato plants, emphasizing the importance of proper pest and disease management practices to ensure optimal growth and harvest yields.
The webinar took place from 08:30 AM to 11:00 AM (WIB) and was moderated by Dr. Siti Nurbaiti, S.Si., a young lecturer at the Faculty of Biology, UGM. Following the presentations by the speakers, a discussion and question-and-answer session provided participants with the opportunity to interact directly with the speakers and gain a deeper understanding of the topics discussed.
The event was concluded by Prof. Dr. Budi Setiadi Daryono, M.Agr.Sc., the Dean of the Faculty of Biology, UGM, who expressed his gratitude and appreciation to the speakers for their informative presentations and exceptional experiences, which contributed to the understanding of fundamental science and plant physiology in potato cultivation techniques and PPD control strategies.
“On this date, the Biolecture is celebrating its third anniversary. Hopefully, the Biolecture activities will continue to develop and serve as a source of knowledge and insights for all of us,” expressed Prof. Budi, expressing his hope for the ongoing success of the Biolecture activities.
The event is expected to provide significant benefits for the development of the agricultural sector, particularly in potato cultivation in Indonesia.