The Department of Biology Education of UNY invited expert Prof. Dr. Ir. Rindang Dwiyani, M.Sc. from the Faculty of Agriculture, Universitas Udayana (UNUD) Bali, to discuss the propagation of strawberries by meristem culture. This method is one of the in vitro culture techniques commonly used for the purpose of producing plants that are free from virus, bacterial and fungal pathogens.

"Strawberry propagation must be through meristem culture because strawberry is a horticultural plant with the most virus strains found in the field," said Prof. Dr. Ir. Rindang Dwiyani, M.Sc. This problem has objectively been confirmed by the testimony of strawberry farmers in Pancasari (Wayan Seria) that propagation with runners (saplings taken from the field) causes severe virus attacks in the plant and drastically reduces yields.

The academic discussion that took place in the faculty courtroom was interesting. Present on the occasion were the dean, administrators of the Department of Biology Education, lecturers and students. Prof. Dr. Dadan Rosana, M.Si., as the Dean stated, academic discussion activities like this have quite a constructive impact. "We are currently in the era of collaboration. With this kind of collaboration, we can improve our competence together," he said. (Writer: Witono, Editor: Dedy, Tj.lak)