Filipinos’ deep and ancient culture is an exciting and intriguing exploration. The science behind indigenous practices of Filipinos and that of other groups reside in quantum. One cannot sufficiently explain or give justice to the validity of indigenous knowledge and practices if only material science is invoked. One cannot find deep alternative or quantum solutions to climate change and other seemingly hopeless challenges if ancient knowledge and practices is not invoked. Documentation and study necessitates looking at rituals, festivals, seemingly superstitious beliefs and practices; these bring the general condition of the area to one that is more akin to the intention of the community, farmers or individuals. They alter the subtle energy and formative forces of the place. One site one could go to for a journey to the past and the science application of the indigenous is https://simplescience.multiply.com/. I wrote earlier articles on the subject of indigenous seed practices, two of which may be found inftp://ftp.ciesin.org/kiosk/ElectronicBkShelf/Newsletters/IKMonitor/IKMonitorSep94/5art4.txt  and in  https://www.cipotato.org/library/pdfdocs/SW55512.pdf. Dr. Boni Comandante has applied his scientific study to the sleeping fish, giant shell or taklobo, baybayin or ancient Filipino scripts https://www2.baybayin360.org/ , alternative student learning through dance and writing https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=veoxSckke0A , terahertz and many more realms. And yes, to baybayin farming (will be featured later).

Schoolchildren dancing the Baybayin script. Learning is greatly enhanced through this movement.

Pam giving an introduction to Baybayin talk by Dr Bonifacio Comandante

We have heard countless stories from local folks, maybe even from our own parents and grandparents, that plants respond to music or sound. Some of you might have experienced this yourself. There are videos that show this. One early work that I had watched is The Secret Life of Plants  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RAR_B0mBoVA&feature=related.

One recent article find on the subject is from  https://www.musicforyourplants.com/. Topics below are in that article:

How do plants respond to music, sound frequencies or harmonic sound waves

The Effects of Variable Sound Frequencies on Plant Growth and Development

Experiments from India shows increase in yield of Rice 

Vedic music from India to Harmonize the Environment and increase Rice Yields 

French Physicist discovered music, plant and protein biosynthesis relation

They are of great interest to one who wants to further improve crop performance, or who simply wants know if indeed there is a science to talking or singing/playing music to plants. Some researchers or enthusiasts have recorded the sound that plants make and are intrigued by this phenomenon (for example-https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aZaokNmQ4eY&feature=related).

https://digitaljournal.com/article/322993

Sound from the plant and sound to the plant… that is resonance at play. Then there is this other interesting phenomenon… the effect of sound of animals like birds, insects and frogs on plant physiology.https://www.newphysis.com/dawnchorus.html. Gadgets like the sonic bloom are being offered to enhance the effect (https://www.relfe.com/sonic_bloom.html). Quantumizing agriculture thus includes utilizing sound and promoting biodiversity so plants (and animals) grow better.

The Science behind sound effect on living organisms and in agriculture is well presented in the article “The effects of sound on living organisms. Applications in agriculture” written by Yannick Van Doorne, ECOSONIC.

Here is another article that might be of interest and which lends credence to the science of sound and its effect on plants- “French Physicist Creates New Melodies – Plant Songs” .

An here is a blog that I encountered reposting effect of sound in different plants and seeds, esp on dandelion:

https://seedambassadors.org/2007/01/17/the-effects-of-musical-notes-on-dandelions-bingenheimer-part-2/#more-247

In the Philippines I have been recently introduced to John Lesaca (https://www.johnlesaca.com/ ). He is a violinist who uses classical music to stimulate the growth of his organic veggies on his farm in Malvar, Batangas. He uses music to enhance the growth not only of his veggies but also of his free range chicken in his commercial farm.

I would like to share with the you a set of slides that I used in my presentation in the Seed Summit sponsored by the Bureau of Plant Industry and the Philippine Seed Industry Association last March 27, 2012. (download it here) My topic was about Organic Seed Production. Many players in the seed industry are curious what really are the criteria for organic seed, and why this is important in organic crop production.

The answer to the why question can be made easier and comprehensible if the discussion is brought to quantum level, or to the realm of subtle energies and forces. The seed, although quite far back in the total production process, would be the one to bring holistic change to the entire system. The question is, would knowing the value and science behind organic seed be enough for the key players to embrace organic? What should be the drivers of change? What would be needed so that the intention and will become action?

Please send in your comments and suggestions, to help nourish the seedling of transformation that has been planted in the hearts of people asking for change. Thank you.

by PAMELA G FERNANDEZ

Based on ‘Organic Seed: Implications For Sustainable Agriculture,’ SEARCA Professorial Chair Lecture, July 11 2001, Department of Agronomy, UP Los Banos, College, Laguna, 162 pp. The original manuscript was designed as a sourcebook on organic seed and sustainable agriculture.
Professor, Department of Agronomy-Crop Science Cluster, College of Agriculture, University of the Philippines Los Banos, College, Laguna 4031, The Philippines.

The demand for organic products in the global market reached US$ 20B in 2001. In Europe, there is a very strong formal initiative for organic seed. Organic seed is a requirement in organic agriculture, according to the International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movements (IFOAM) and other international as well as local organic initiatives. An organic movement in the Philippines has launched an organic standard for certification this year.

For both local and international use, the criteria for organic seed currently are, and should be at the minimum, based on the principles set for organic production systems, ranging from organic plant breeding (for variety development) to seed utilization (for crop production and eventually processing and marketing). The paper expands the list of criteria to include pre-plant breeding steps, ie, genetic conservation especially by the informal sector. Biodynamic farming principles provide much of the basis of the organic agriculture criteria, while the use (as well as products) of genetic engineering is banned in varietal development, farm inputs and processing. Tissue culture and Fi hybrid development especially through cytoplasmic male sterility are highly restricted in the production of organic seed.

Organic systems provide overwhelming advantages over non-organic systems. Benefits derived from and constraints related to organic seed and farming are given. Differences between opposite systems (ie, chemical or non-organic vs organic farming given the different forms) are presented in terms of effect on soil health/quality, product yield and quality (storability, losses, nutritional value, animal health, and vital energy). Three techniques (crystallography, chromatography and photon emission) which are well used in biodynamic agriculture, provide graphic comparisons of the products of two opposite systems (organic and chemical
farming).

Mechanisms or biochemical/physical bases for better storability of organic products are further explored; the result points to the realm of the relatively new concept of ‘glass’. Water in glass state and other natural substances (such as sugars) that enhance the glass state, can be contributory factors to the longer shelf-life of organic seed, other crop produce and processed food products. The current use of formally produced/bred organic seed in the Philippines is low but if the contributions of indigenous and local seeds/breeds are included, the number improves considerably. The prospect of organic seed partly depends on the success of organic certification in the country, the demand abroad for organic seed and products, and the presence of local companies who will go into this business. A large part of this success, however, will be determined by how successful local initiatives will be in community seedbanking/genetic conservation, and by improved general awareness and willingness of consumers to pay for organic produce.

You can download the whole article in PDF here:
https://www.cabi.org/gara/FullTextPDF/2009/20093019285.pdf

In one of the subjects that I teach students prepare some video to relate to the course and to their own talent and interest.

Here is one that Zeta Sanchez produced with her groupmates  Desiree Orence and Astrud Cabuscabus. Each student and the collective/group pose as a seed of change, the seed being the actual seed (as the class is on Seed Technology), or the person/s as agent/s of change. The Filipinized lyric is as follows:

Kulay ng Hangin
(Filipino-Tagalog translation of Pocahontas’ Theme Song: Colors of the Wind)
Translated by Zeta Sanchez
Inspired by the video “Home”

Akala mo’y sa ’yo ang lahat ng bagay
Mundo’y masasabi mo ng patay
Mga ilog, dagat dati’y kay linis
At ngayon, kay itim na at dumi

Kalbong bundok ngayon ang makikita
Na dati’y luntian at kay ganda
Mga hayop ngayon ay wala na
Di ba nga tayo rin ang may gawa?

Naririnig mo ba’ng pagtangis ng bituin sa gabi
Kasabay ng kalungkutan ng buwan
Hinanaing ng bawat isa sa ami’y pakinggan
Sa hangin ibubulong itong hiling
Na’ng ang dasal sa langit ay makarating

Ulan man o lupa’y ating karamay
Mga isda’t ibon ay kaibigan
Bawat buhay sa mundo ay may ugnayan
Sa isa’t-isa na di mapuputol nino man

Ang ‘yong mata ay imulat na
Kumilos ka’t baguhin ang ‘yong sarili

At hindi na liligalig ang bituin at buwan
Mga dasal nati’y pinakinggan
Baguhin ang sarili’t buksan ang isipan
Sa hangin ibinulong itong hiling
Na ang tao’y alisin sa silid na madilim
Upang masagip ng tao ang mundo