Learning the Science of Seeds — A Hands-on Experience in Seed Technology at IPB University

 

     Our 11th day as exchange students was both enriching and uplifting as we joined a Seed Technology class at IPB University. The day started early, and thanks to our friend Bella and her classmate who kindly offered us a ride, we didn’t need to commute using Grab. Their help made our trip easier and allowed us to arrive at school on time, which was important because classes in IPB start strictly at 7:00 AM. I admire how disciplined the students here are with their schedules.


     When we arrived, we walked to the classroom where the students were already seated — not on chairs, but on the floor, ready with a projector set up for the day’s lecture. The environment was calm and focused . The teacher arrived on time and began the discussion, which I don’t understand because it was in Bahasa, so I used Google Translate to follow along. The topic was about Seed Purity Testing. The class compared pure seeds to other crop seeds — like corn vs. soybeans and chili vs. tomato seeds — explaining that some seeds are easier to distinguish than others, especially in grasses and horticultural crops.


     After the lecture, we moved to the laboratory for hands-on activities. First was the Tetrazolium Test, a rapid method for testing seed viability through staining. Viable tissues react with the tetrazolium solution and turn red due to active respiration. The class was divided into five groups, and the four of us were assigned to separate groups to contribute and participate. Each group was given 20 corn seeds and 20 bean seeds. For the procedure, we peeled the bean seeds and sliced the corn seeds at the center before placing them in Petri dishes. The class then weighed the tetrazolium powder, dissolved it in distilled water to make a 1% solution, and poured it over the seeds. The Petri dishes were placed in an oven set to 38–40°C for one hour to allow the staining process to take effect.



     Next, we were introduced to a previous activity the class had done involving rice and legume seed germination (from the Sibukaw and Indigofera families). The seeds were wrapped in kraft paper, lightly moistened with water, and placed in a controlled environment germination chamber set at 28–30°C for 1 to 2 weeks. The results were impressive — rice seeds had developed long roots and young leaves about 1–2 inches long, indicating that they were still viable and could be successfully planted.



     Then we moved on to the Excised Embryo Test using Jatropha seeds. With a scalpel, we carefully opened the seed coat along its seam. Using forceps, we gently extracted the butterfly-shaped embryo, making sure not to damage the cotyledons or the hypocotyl, which are essential for growth. The embryo was placed on moist filter paper in a Petri dish and kept in a humid environment at 25–30°C. Within 3 to 5 days, viable embryos typically begin germinating by showing the radicle and plumule. This test bypasses seed dormancy and helps evaluate the potential of the seed to grow.



     After completing the excised embryo activity, we returned to the oven and removed the stained seeds. They were placed on kraft paper to dry. The corn and bean seeds showed red coloration, meaning they were viable and still capable of germination. This confirmed that the rest of the seeds stored with them could still be used for planting.



     This class was truly a fulfilling and insightful experience. I’m incredibly thankful for the opportunity to try hands-on activities that we don’t often get to do in our general agriculture field. Unlike us, the students here are focused on their seed technology major, and it was inspiring to see how deeply involved they are in their specialization. We ended the session around 12 noon, almost 1 PM, but it was all worth it. After class, we took group photos to capture the memory. We visited the botanical merchandise inside IPB University main campus, we buy some Oleh-oleh (pasalubong) souvenirs for us and to bring to Philippines. Feeling tired and hungry, we invited Bella and her friends for lunch to thank them for the ride and their company. After eating, we toured a bit around the city before they kindly brought us back to our boarding house — safe and sound.


 

          


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