Semarang – Biotechnology Study Program, Diponegoro University on Friday, November 10, 2023 held a public lecture entitled “Biotechnology Application to Increase Plant Productivity”. This topic was brought directly by Ir. Masturb, M.Si., Ph.D who is the head of the Center for Research and Development of Biotechnology and Agricultural Genetic Resources.
Ir. Mastur said that Biotechnology refers to any technological application that uses biological systems, living organisms, or derivatives thereof, to create or modify a product or process for a specific use. The utilization of Biotechnology with the richness of plant biodiversity in Indonesia has great potential to accelerate food self-sufficiency and the fulfillment of basic nutrients for the community.
In order to accelerate this goal, Ir. Mastur said that in vitro Biotechnology, Molecular Biotechnology, transgenic and genome editing can be used for plant breeding activities to increase productivity. In vitro biotechnology such as anther culture, Protoplast fusion, mutation can be used to select and produce superior seeds. Biotechnology molekuker example is the use of molecular markers to select the most superior mother plant. Transgenic technology is used to insert superior genes in the target plant so that the parent plant can be obtained with superior properties as well. An example is PRG potato plants that are resistant to pests that cause blight. While genome editing is a cutting-edge technology that focuses on selection, mutation, insertion and deletion of target genes so that plants can be obtained with the desired superior properties. For example, the CRISPR-9 DNA scissors technology.
Ir. Mastur emphasized that biotechnology is a technology that is constantly evolving. The use of Biotechnology techniques need to pay attention to the suitability between the problem and the effective method used. So that the increase in crop productivity can be achieved and food needs can be guaranteed.
The event was moderated by Prof. Dr. Hermin Pancasakti K, M.Si., who is a lecturer in the Department of Biotechnology S1 Diponegoro University. The event lasted for 2 hours and was enthusiastically attended by students and teachers from the Biotechnology study program until the end of the event.
Recording of event Activities and presentations of speakers can be accessed through the following link https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tCww7i0KrGM&t=10s