FMIPA UI – Japanese Research Institute Develops Complex Technology to Prevent Leaf Fall Outbreaks on Rubber Trees

Monday, June 6, 2022, Dean of the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, University of Indonesia (FMIPA UI) Dede Djuhana, Ph.D. warmly welcomed the presence of Dr. Matsui Minami from RIKEN Center for Sustainable Resource Science in Meeting Room A, Dean's Building, UI Campus, Depok.

The meeting that afternoon was held to discuss the research collaboration between FMIPA UI and Japanese research institutions Riken Center for Sustainable Resource Science (CSRS), and Riken Center for Advance Photonics (RAP) in the fields of Mathematics, Biology, and Geography. The purpose of this collaboration is to develop complex technology to prevent and control leaf fall disease. Pestalotiopsis on rubber trees through the SATREPS project (Science & Technology Research Partnership for Sustainable Development) namely the Japanese technical cooperation scheme based on “Science and Technology Diplomacy” which was set in 2008.

The SATREPS project is supported and funded by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) to facilitate research between Indonesian and Japanese researchers involved, with the project period being five (5) years from the date of the first JICA expert dispatch to Indonesia or Kick-off Meeting was held. This research collaboration involved a team of lecturers and researchers as well as students from the Departments of Geography, Mathematics, Biology, and the Indonesian Rubber Research Institute (IRRI).

The forms of SATREPS project activities in Indonesia this time include the development of new fungicide candidate compounds for rubber tree leaf fall disease (both chemical and biological), the creation of new clones Hevea brasiliensis which shows resistance to leaf fall disease, development of a detection system for areas affected by rubber tree disease with Artificial Intelligent (AI) imaging analysis using data obtained from artificial satellites and drones, to strengthening the foundation for research and development and practical application of relevant and long-term technologies.

Dede Djuhana, Ph.D. in his speech said "The SATREPS Program supports research policies in FMIPA and UI in general in an effort to improve research quality, output results in reputable international journals and patents as well as increasing multidisciplinary collaboration between researchers both domestically and abroad to answer challenges related to global issues."

Meanwhile, Dr. Matsui Minami said, "This collaboration is expected to have a big impact in solving the problem of leaf fall disease in rubber plantations in Indonesia. In addition, cooperation in human resource development in the form of research visits, training, and Ph.D. programs in Japan is expected to be carried out in the near future involving staff from the University of Indonesia."

Both parties hope that the results of the technology development will be available throughout Indonesia and can help the government in overcoming the rubber leaf fall epidemic that has attacked a number of lands in the production center area. So that global rubber production is expected to be abundant again.

Also attending the meeting were Dr.rer.nat. Budiawan (Vice Dean for Education, Research, and Student Affairs), Dr. Lukmanda Evan Lubis, M.Si. (Manager of Cooperation, Ventures, and Alumni Relations), Dr. Dipo Aldila, S.Si., M.Si. (Manager of Research and Community Service), Iqbal Putut Ash Shidiq, S.Si., M.sc. (Head of the Geography Undergraduate Study Program) and several members of the research team from FMIPA UI including Dr. Retno Lestari, M.Si, Dr. Windri Handayani, M.Si., Prof. Alhadi Bustamam, M.Kom., Ph.D., Dr. Manessa Masita, and several other research staff.

News source: https://sci.ui.ac.id/