Ayu Rahayu succeeded in defending her dissertation with the title “The Study of Existing Breeding, Production, and Genetical Potential of Ducks in Magelang.” This research studies the breeding condition of ducks in Magelang that is applied to farmer’s level and their potential as a national high quality duckling source.
The dissertation is aimed to compare the practice of existing breeding in the community with the Good Breeding Practices (GBP) standard, as well as to evaluate the capability of the Magelang region as the source of ducklings. Aside from that, this research also covers production analysis through the morphological approach of quantitative characteristics and between-traits correlation, and the analysis of genetic potential through a molecular approach.
The molecular approach is enacted by using gen cytochrome b (cyt b) DNA signifier to see the genetic distance and phylogenetic relation, and prolactin gen (PRL) and growth hormone (GH) to analyse allele frequency, genotype, heterozygosity, Hardy-Weinberg balance, and haplotype. This research also studies the association of gen PRL and GH towards egg production and duck growth in Magelang.
During her research, Ayu Rahayu was supervised by the promoter team that consist of Prof. Ir. Dyah Maharani, S.Pt., MP, Ph.D., IPM. as the promoter, and Prof. Ir. Tety Hartatik, S.Pt., Ph.D., IPM. and Dr. Ir. Heru Sasongko, M.P. as the co-promoters.
This closed dissertation examination was conducted on Monday, January 12th 2026 and was led by Ir. R. Ahmad Romadhoni Surya Putra, S.Pt., M.Sc., Ph.D., IPM., ASEAN Eng. as the head of the session. The examination lasted for more or less 180 minutes and concluded without any upheavals.
During her presentation Ayu Rahayu explained that although the implementation of the farmer level breeding system still needs to be improved to follow the GBP standard. Magelang ducks have a strong growth prospect as a source of ducklings. This is supported by the morphological diversity that can be utilized in the selection process and informative between-traits relation to increase productivity.
Moreover, the molecular analysis result shows that Magelang duck’s genetical purity is still naturally protected, as it is shown by the gen cyt b analysis. These findings are supported by the presence of polymorphism in PRL and GH genes that are associated with important economic traits, such as egg production and growth. The result of this research is hoped to be the scientific basis in the making of development and preservation policies of Magelang ducks as the favored regional germplasm.
Original article: Ayu Rahayu Kaji Existing Breeding, Produksi, dan Potensi Genetik Itik Magelang
Translated by: Widadullah Ragid Addiraya