Two batches composed of 23 senior high school students from Los Baños Senior High School (LBSHS) conducted their two-week work immersion at the Institute of Plant Breeding (IPB) from April 1 to 26, 2024. Students were deployed to different laboratories to gain practical experience in agricultural research.
In the Plant Physiology Laboratory, students learned about abiotic stress tolerance screening and used high-precision tools such as Soil Plant Analysis Development (SPAD) meters, soil moisture kits, drones, thermal cameras, chlorophyll fluorescence meters, and multispectral cameras. They conducted leaf area analysis of cassava, attended lectures on soil-plant interaction and nutrient management, and performed soil sample collection and analysis.
SHS interns at the Biochemistry and Analytical Services Laboratory had first-hand experience in analyzing total phenolics, flavonoids, and nitrogen in plant samples. Students also conducted DNA extraction from coconut leaves.
In the Plant Cell and Tissue Culture Laboratory, students engaged in tissue culturing procedures, from media preparation, tissue culturing to screenhouse acclimatization.
The Entomology Lab provided insights into insect pest aspects of crop improvement. Students gathered data on corn weevil damage, conducted stalk feeding assays, dissected stalks for Asiatic corn borer collection, and monitored fall armyworm damage in the field. The students also gained knowledge on Bt Eggplant and experienced lab and field activities related to its research.
At the National Plant Genetic Resources Laboratory, students participated in fruit collection and characterization at the field gene bank, practiced asexual propagation techniques at the fruit nursery, conducted media preparation and tissue culturing at the in vitro laboratory, and experienced seed processing and packaging for storage.
Students saw the importance and the interdisciplinary nature of agriculture, far from what they usually hear like “tanim tanim lang”. They also recognized the importance of research and its impact on uplifting people’s lives.
The internship program is part of the institute’s initiative to inspire youth to pursue agriculture-related careers. By providing real-world experience, IPB aims to cultivate the next generation of agricultural professionals committed to advancing agriculture and food security. (Ricky Bryan U. Biagtan)
Photos by: LBSHS student interns and Ricky Bryan Biagtan; Photo collage by Ricky Bryan Biagtan