Dr. Donny Widianto, a lecturer at the Department of Agricultural Microbiology, Faculty of Agriculture, Universitas Gadjah Mada (Agriculture UGM), was inaugurated as a professor in the field of microbial biotechnology on Thursday (Oct. 30) at the UGM Senate Hall. During his inaugural lecture, Professor Widianto delivered a speech titled “Integrating Plants with Beneficial Microbes as Supportive and Protective Growth Partners.”
Professor Widianto explained that beneficial microbes play a crucial role in supporting plants through three primary mechanisms: enhancing plant growth, protecting them from biotic and abiotic stress, and influencing soil health and nutrient cycles.
“Plant pests and pathogens, such as phytopathogenic microbes and insect pests, can be controlled, both directly and indirectly, by these beneficial microbes,” he stated.
He further explained that the use of beneficial microbes as plant growth promoters has been practiced since 1895, when Nobbe and Hiltner first utilized them to produce nitrogen-fixing biofertilizers.
In Indonesia, Agriculture UGM’s Microbiology Laboratory pioneered the use of the nitrogen-fixing biofertilizer Rhizobium in 1978, producing a product called Legin.
This biofertilizer was developed for leguminous food crops such as soybeans, peanuts, mung beans, and lamtoro, as well as for leguminous plants used as cover crops and shade trees in plantations.
According to Professor Widianto, the successful integration of beneficial microbes as plant partners depends on three key factors: the type and functional characteristics of the microbes, the formulation, and the method of application.
“Microbes selected as bioinoculants must be identified in terms of their carbon and energy requirements, survival ability, and the mechanisms through which they support and protect plant growth,” he explained.
However, Professor Widianto emphasized that success in integrating beneficial microbes as plant partners does not solely depend on the microbes themselves, but the host plant also plays a crucial role, as compatibility between both sides is essential.
Additionally, farmers as end-users of microbial technology products play a significant role in ensuring effective utilization.
“Education for farmers through extension and training programs is needed to ensure proper use of microbial-based agricultural products,” he concluded.
Professor M. Baiquni, Chair of the UGM Board of Professors, stated that Professor Widianto is one of 542 professors at UGM and one of 30 active professors among the 62 professors who have served the faculty.
Author: Lintang Andwyna
Editor: Gusti Grehenson
Post-editor: Rajendra Arya
Photographer: Donnie Trisfian