The Doctoral Program in Agricultural Science (S3), Faculty of Agriculture, University of Jember, has once again produced a new Doctor. The open doctoral defense of Dr. Dwi Mai Abdul Imam Buqori, S.P., M.P. was held on Wednesday, July 31, 2025, at the Faculty of Agriculture, University of Jember.

A doctoral candidate in Agronomy, Dr. Dwi Mai successfully defended his dissertation titled “The Role of Bacillus megaterium JTB1 and MT22 in Stimulating Root Architecture and Enhancing Sugarcane Drought Tolerance.”

The open defense was chaired by Prof. M. Rondhi, S.P., M.P., Ph.D., as Head of the Examination Committee. The supervisory team consisted of:

• Promoter: Prof. Ir. Bambang Sugiharto, M.Agr.Sc., D.Agr.Sc. (University of Jember)

• Co-Promoter I: Prof. Tri Agus Siswoyo, S.P., M.Agr., Ph.D. (University of Jember)

• Co-Promoter II: Prof. Ir. Kacung Hariyono, M.S., Ph.D. (University of Jember)

The examination board comprised:

• Examiner I: Prof. Dr. Ir. Sholeh Avivi, M.Si. (University of Jember)

• Examiner II: Dr. Ir. Cahyoadi Bowo (University of Jember)

• External Examiner: Dr. Dra. Nurmalasari Darsono, M.Si. (Researcher, National Research and Innovation Agency – BRIN)

In his dissertation, Dr. Dwi Mai addressed one of the longstanding challenges in sugarcane cultivation in Indonesia — the decline in productivity due to drought stress, which has become more severe with global climate change. His research focused on utilizing the bacterium Bacillus megaterium as a natural biostimulant to improve sugarcane’s resilience to extreme drought conditions.

Through a series of laboratory and field experiments, Dr. Dwi Mai successfully isolated two superior strains, Bacillus megaterium JTB1 and MT22, which proved effective in enhancing sugarcane root architecture — increasing root volume, length, and surface area — while stimulating the activity of antioxidant enzymes such as Superoxide Dismutase (SOD), Ascorbate Peroxidase (APX), and Catalase (CAT). Furthermore, both isolates were found to produce the enzyme ACC deaminase, which helps reduce stress-induced ethylene levels, thereby improving drought tolerance.

These findings indicate that the application of Bacillus megaterium holds great potential as an eco-friendly alternative to strengthen sugarcane resilience without relying heavily on chemical fertilizers.

Even more impressively, part of this research has been published in the Q1 international journal Scientific Reports (Nature Publishing Group), demonstrating the academic quality and global relevance of the study. In addition to achieving a high-impact publication, Dr. Dwi Mai completed his doctoral studies with Cum Laude honors, reflecting his exceptional commitment and dedication to advancing agricultural science through innovative research.

This successful doctoral promotion reaffirms the vital role of the Doctoral Program in Agricultural Science (S3) at the University of Jember in producing highly qualified graduates with international competitiveness who contribute significantly to sustainable agricultural development.

The Faculty of Agriculture, University of Jember, proudly congratulates Dr. Dwi Mai Abdul Imam Buqori, S.P., M.P. on his outstanding achievement. His research is expected to become an important reference for advancing plant biotechnology and strengthening the sustainability of Indonesia’s plantation crop systems.