Emerging plant diseases are becoming an increasingly serious global challenge, threatening crop productivity and food security. A study published in NeoBiota in September 2023 documented more than 900 reports of emerging diseases affecting 284 tree species across 88 countries. At the same time, the World Health Organization (WHO) recommends consuming at least 400 grams of fruits and vegetables daily as part of a healthy diet to help prevent obesity and other noncommunicable diseases.
Against this backdrop, the Faculty of Agriculture at Universitas Gadjah Mada (Agriculture UGM), in partnership with the World Vegetable Center (WorldVeg), is strengthening international capacity in plant disease diagnostics through advanced training for researchers and practitioners.
Professor Ani Widiastuti from the Department of Plant Pests and Diseases at Agriculture UGM said international collaboration is essential to address the growing complexity of plant diseases, particularly in tropical regions. She noted that diseases affecting vegetable crops have become an increasingly important concern, especially as vegetables are among the horticultural commodities that influence food prices.
“Climate change has become a major challenge to crop productivity by driving the adaptation of pathogens and pests, leading to what are known as emerging plant diseases,” Professor Widiastuti said on Tuesday (July 21).
She emphasized that universities must strengthen international collaboration to tackle diseases affecting horticultural and food crops, which play a vital role in ensuring food security amid the growing risks posed by climate change and potential food crises.
To support these efforts, Agriculture UGM and WorldVeg organized the Advanced Training in Plant Health: From Field Surveillance to Molecular Technologies, held in Yogyakarta from June 22 to 27, 2026. The six-day program brought together 18 researchers and practitioners, primarily from leading seed companies in France, South Africa, India, Sri Lanka, Papua New Guinea, and Indonesia.
“We hope this program will become the starting point for broader collaboration with industry in addressing plant health challenges and producing healthier crops,” Professor Widiastuti said.
The training combined classroom instruction, laboratory practice, and field-based learning under the guidance of experts from WorldVeg and Agriculture UGM. Participants learned diagnostic workflows for plant pathogens, including fungi, bacteria, viruses, nematodes, and insect pests, beginning with field observation and continuing through laboratory confirmation using molecular techniques.
Hands-on laboratory sessions introduced participants to DNA and RNA extraction, PCR, quantitative PCR (qPCR), CRISPR-based virus detection, and bioinformatics applications, including Geneious. They also practiced nematode identification, bacterial and fungal inoculation, virus purification, and disease resistance screening.
The program further explored breeding strategies for disease resistance through marker-assisted selection (MAS), highlighting how diagnostics can support the development of improved crop varieties that can adapt to changing environmental conditions.
Another major component focused on seed health and Integrated Pest Management (IPM). Participants examined methods for detecting seed-borne pathogens, implementing seed health testing, and applying biological control agents such as Trichoderma, Bacillus, Beauveria, and Metarhizium as part of sustainable crop protection strategies.
Beyond the laboratory, participants visited PIAT UGM to observe disease symptoms affecting chili peppers, tomatoes, and other vegetable crops. The program concluded with a field visit to the farm of Pulung Widi Handoko, S.P., a chili farmer and alumnus of UGM’s Department of Plant Pests and Diseases in Magelang. There, participants observed the practical implementation of integrated pest management while discussing pest challenges and biological control approaches directly with farmers.
During the closing ceremony, Dr. Lourena Maxwell of WorldVeg expressed appreciation for the collaboration throughout the program and thanked the UGM team for its hospitality.
“We hope this collaboration will continue, and we would also like to thank the students and researchers whose contributions made this program a success,” Dr. Maxwell said.
Author: Jesi
Editor: Gusti Grehenson
Post-Editor: Priyanandaningrat
Photo: Faculty of Agriculture Documentation