The Faculty of Agriculture, Universitas Gadjah Mada, held an international guest lecture on Monday, March 2, 2026, at the Venture Room, 6th Floor of the AGLC Building. The event featured three distinguished scholars from leading universities in Japan: Dr. Sota Yamamoto from Kagoshima University, Dr. Nabeshima Tomoyuki from Yamagata University, and Dr. Sota Koeda from Kindai University. During the session, the speakers presented several research topics related to recent developments in horticultural science and plant diseases in the Asia–Pacific region. The topics included Dispersal Routes of Chili Peppers in the Asia–Pacific Region, which discussed the historical and geographical pathways of chili pepper distribution in the Asia–Pacific; Studies on Cuticle Cracking in Cherry Tomato Fruit, which examined the phenomenon of cuticle cracking in cherry tomatoes; and Genetic Diversity of Begomoviruses and Resistance-based Disease Management in Vegetables, which highlighted the genetic diversity of Begomoviruses and strategies for disease management based on plant resistance. The scientific discussion was moderated by Dr. Adyatma Irawan Santosa and Enik Nurlaili Afifah from the Faculty of Agriculture UGM. read more

Three of the fastest graduates from the 2022 cohort of the Plant Protection Study Program, Faculty of Agriculture at Universitas Gadjah Mada, were officially conferred their degrees on February 25, 2026, in a solemn graduation ceremony. The three graduates are Agis Fauzi Gufron from Jember, Sofyan Ibrahim from Klaten, and Ashim Syarif Krisnaputra from Yogyakarta. Their achievement in completing their studies within a notably short period has drawn particular attention within the faculty.

All three students were supervised by Prof. Dr. Ir. Fransiscus Xaverius Wagiman, S.U., a senior academic who is entering retirement this year after decades of dedicated service in the field of plant protection. Under his guidance, the students demonstrated strong dedication, academic consistency, and effective time management throughout their coursework and thesis completion. read more

(UGM) presented a research proposal titled “Profiling and Exploration of the Potential of Endosymbiotic Microbes for the Control of Sugarcane Stem Borer Pests” at a meeting held on 4 February 2026. This activity forms part of an effort to develop more sustainable pest management strategies through molecular biology and insect microbiology approaches.

The research is led by Dr. Suputa, S.P., M.P. and Dr. Prayogo Probo Asmoro, S.P., M.Si from the Department of Plant Protection, Faculty of Agriculture, UGM. The study aims to identify and explore the potential of endosymbiotic microbes that inhabit the bodies of sugarcane stem borer pests, which are expected to be utilized as an alternative and environmentally friendly pest control method. read more

A coordination meeting regarding the preparation for the accreditation of the Plant Protection Study Program was held on 5 February 2026 in the Meeting Room of the Department of Plant Protection, Faculty of Agriculture, Universitas Gadjah Mada. The meeting focused on the accreditation process conducted by the Lembaga Akreditasi Mandiri Pendidikan Tinggi Ilmu Pertanian (LAM-PTIP) for the Plant Protection Study Program. The event was attended by all lecturers and administrative staff within the department as part of a collective effort to prepare the accreditation documents comprehensively. read more

PT Indo Rempah Lestari reported the presence of brown spot symptoms on leaf samples of vanilla plants cultivated in the company’s greenhouse area. The leaf samples exhibited brown spots on the leaf surface as well as small black dots within the leaf tissue while the leaves were still fresh.

According to the plantation manager, Joko Lestari, the observed symptoms were not limited to leaf spots but also included discoloration of the leaves, which turned yellow and subsequently dried out. This condition developed more rapidly in the leaves than in the plant stems, while the position of the stems remained relatively unchanged. read more