Indonesia Develops Virus-Free Garlic Seed Technology to Cut Imports

Indonesia's National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN) and Gadjah Mada University (UGM) are collaborating on a strategic research program to develop technology for producing healthy, high-quality garlic seeds. This initiative is designed to significantly increase domestic garlic production and lessen the nation's reliance on imported supplies.

Dwinita Wikan Utami, head of BRIN's Horticulture Research Center and leader of the garlic Strategic Research and Innovation Program (PRIS), emphasized the critical need for effective, accessible, and affordable virus elimination technology. This, she stated, is essential for seed producers and farmers to maintain the quality of planting materials for improved garlic varieties.

The research specifically targets the elimination of viruses commonly found in garlic planting material. BRIN is actively developing virus elimination methods, designing a prototype device, and evaluating the treatment's impact on plant growth and overall productivity. The goal is to enhance Indonesia's garlic output as part of a broader national strategy to achieve greater self-sufficiency.

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We need virus elimination technology that is effective, easy to apply and affordable so seed producers and farmers can widely use it to maintain planting material quality.

Initial laboratory testing has revealed a significant problem: approximately 80% of collected garlic planting material samples showed dual infections of Onion yellow dwarf virus (OYDV) and Shallot latent virus (SLV). These samples were sourced from major garlic-producing regions across Indonesia, including Enrekang, Magelang, Temanggung, Tawangmangu, and Yogyakarta. Plant virologist Sedyo Hartono from UGM's Faculty of Agriculture noted that virus infection symptoms are not always apparent in plants and can be masked by other diseases, particularly fungal infections.

The project, slated to run for two years, will proceed through several phases. The initial stage involves validating the virus elimination method and creating a laboratory-scale prototype. Subsequent stages will focus on evaluating the performance of virus-free plants in field conditions and collaborating with industry partners to commercialize the technology for seed producers. Beyond virus elimination, the PRIS program also aims to develop new garlic varieties, improve cultivation techniques for different altitudes, and establish standards for healthy seed production.

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Virus infection symptoms are not always clearly visible in plants. In the field, their effects may be masked by other diseases, particularly fungal infections.