benefits of bacteria and molds
Graduating from Biology of Airlangga University, Indonesia, with field of Microbiology had given me ground understanding about the benefits of bacteria and molds, specifically as nematodes antagonistic agents. One of my research experiences during my undergraduate that was funded by Directorate General of Higher Education of Indonesia (DIKTI) entitled "Screening and Bio-assay of Mold Isolates from East Java as Controller Agents of Root Knot Nematodes (Meloydogine spp.)" enlightened me that; nematodes are likely to become a huge challenge facing Indonesian farmers in the production of agricultural crops; soil microorganisms have high potentials to tackle the challenge vary from ecological, molecular and genetic approaches. However, there is still not many further research in Indonesia related to it. In other hand, farmers tend to use chemical nematicide which is harmful for human's health, environment and micro fauna that are important for sustainable farming. Hence, I am applying for a master's program of Agricultural Sciences and plan to take research topic about "microbial roles in suppressing nematodes parasitism on agricultural crops" as an effort to protect agricultural crop with eco-friendly and sustainable methods. I am strongly interested to deepen my knowledge and skill in agricultural microbiology with ecological and genetic approaches. The output would be an advanced application of bio-nematicide to replace chemical nematicide. The University of Queensland and The University of Western Australia offer a Master of Agricultural Sciences program with relevant courses like Plant-Microbe and Insect Interactions, Plant Protection, Plant Pathology and Molecular Diagnostics in Plant Protection as well as prospective research topics provided by experienced experts as part of the program that are not available in other Australian universities. In addition, with my current profession as a microbiologist, I believe that I can engage myself into the program very well.