Wahyu Indra Duwi Fanata

Water deficit is one of the most critical factors for determining the growth and yield of sugarcane. Understanding the physiological and molecular mechanisms of sugarcane responses is essential for developing resilient cultivars. In this study, three sugarcane cultivars, NX04 (sensitive), BL (moderate), and NXI-4T (tolerant), were grown in a greenhouse for 2 months and then subjected to drought stress for 8 days after planting. Morphological variation showed that the tolerant sugarcane cultivar exhibits a longer root system and delays leaf chlorosis and rolling. Malondialdehyde (MDA) content was increased in the sensitive and moderate cultivars, although it slightly increased in the tolerant cultivars at 8 days after drought stress. The increase was accompanied by increases in proline content and in gene expression of the catalase (Cat) and ascorbate peroxidase (Apx) across all cultivars, which protect cells from oxidative damage. Interestingly, the expression of the photosynthetic Pepc (phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase) and Sps (sucrose-phosphate synthase) genes was significantly decreased, whereas SPS activity increased under drought stress. This implies that the SPS protein may be regulated through post-translational modification. The expression of transcription factors (TFs) of NAC, rather than DREB, was significantly upregulated in the tolerant cultivar under 8 days of drought stress, in line with the delay of chlorosis.

Muhammad Nuril Fitriyandi, Ummi Sholikhah, Tri Ratnasari, Ahmad Ilham Tanzil, Tri Handoyo, Bambang Sugiharto, Sholeh Avivi, and Wahyu Indra Duwi Fanata. Plant Breed. Biotech. 2025;13:281-94. https://doi.org/10.9787/PBB.2025.13.281

Identifying pathogenic fungi at the species level based on morphology, especially for leaf rust, is quite difficult. Further investigation, such as molecular techniques, is required to identify leaf rust fungi precisely. One way that can be employed is DNA barcoding. This study seeks to detect leaf rust fungi (Puccinia spp.) on sugarcane. Accurate species identification allows early detection of Puccinia kuehnii, helping farmers and extension agencies to apply targeted control strategies. A fungal sample was collected from sugarcane fields in Bondowoso, East Java, Indonesia. Morphological identification was done with an SEM, whereas molecular identification was done through DNA extraction, amplification, visualization, sequencing, and phylogenetic tree creation. The primers employed are obtained from the ITS region of ribosomal DNA, which contains enough diversity to differentiate fungi at the species level. The amplification findings revealed a DNA band of 500 bp at both loci. Sequencing results indicate that samples The sequencing results indicatethat the samples from Bondowoso are closely related to the Puccinia kuehnii sequence from NCBI. The findings of the phylogenetic tree construction revealed that samples from both locations are still associated with P. kuehnii sequences from other nations. This is the first study documenting P. kuehnii in Indonesia, especially East Java, that integrates morphological and molecular characterization.

Sugarcane streak mosaic virus (SCSMV) is one of the mosaic viruses found in mixed infection with two or more viruses. Infections of mosaic viruses show highly similar mosaic symptoms and are difficult to distinguish. This study aimed to develop a specific antibody against SCSMV that could potentially be utilized to differentiate mosaic virus infections. The cDNA encoding the coat protein (CP) of SCSMV was isolated by RT-PCR from the symptomatic sugarcane leaves. The cDNA was then used for the production of CP for the development of its polyclonal antibody. The nucleotide sequence of the cDNA showed high homology of 94.2–97.3% at the amino acid level with the CP-cDNA of SCSMV isolated from India (AM749403.1), Africa (OR195142.1), and USA (U75456.1). CP was produced as a recombinant protein with a molecular size of 36.5 kDa in Escherichia coli. The injection of recombinant CP into a rabbit resulted in the production of polyclonal antibodies, which were used for the immunodetection of SCSMV in sugarcane. Immunoblot analysis revealed a specific reaction of SCSMV-CP in symptomatic sugarcane leaves. ELISA (Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay) and IC-RT-PCR (Immunocapture-Reverse Transcription-Polymerase Chain Reaction) using the CP antibody proved successful for detecting SCSMV infection in sugarcane leaves. The results indicate that the SCSMV-CP antibody is suitable for an immunodetection system and exhibits high specificity for SCSMV infection.

Tobacco plants are an important plantation commodity in Indonesia. However, problems often occur in cultivation. These obstacles include abiotic and biotic stress. To overcome this problem, it is necessary to improve plant varieties through molecular-based breeding programs. This biotechnology program needs to carry out optimization research on the DNA isolation process so that the results produced can be used for further analysis. The method used uses a comparison of extraction techniques using tools and grinding with chemicals. Meanwhile, tobacco leaf samples were used with a comparison of wet samples and dry samples. From the results obtained, the treatment of the grinding method with chemicals and wet samples was able to increase the quality and quantity of DNA concentration.

The hybridization of two rice varieties originating from East Java, namely Pendok and Merah Wangi, has yielded an aromatic line named 17-02-10. This line exhibi The hybridization of two rice varieties originating from East Java, namely Pendok and Merah Wangi, has yielded an aromatic line named 17-02-10. This line exhibi

The growth of rice plants has been significantly impacted by the increase in the area of rice fields affected by salt stress. The Indonesia government has relea The growth of rice plants has been significantly impacted by the increase in the area of rice fields affected by salt stress. The Indonesia government has relea