Activities –
From June to December 2025, a research-based agricultural activity entitled “Mini Shallot Bulb Production Using Population Density and Paclobutrazol Application” was carried out at the Experimental Farm, Hasanuddin University. This activity involved 11 participants, including the students Zulhajir and Hasniar, and was supported through international collaboration with Tomorani Hirano, Ph.D. from the University of Miyazaki.
The activity was designed to answer an important question in shallot seed technology: how can mini shallot bulbs be produced efficiently and consistently? Mini bulbs are valuable because they can serve as practical planting material. They are easier to handle, store, transport, and plant compared with larger bulbs. For farmers and seed producers, mini bulbs may become an important alternative in developing a more efficient shallot seed system.
The main objective of this activity was to obtain the optimal plant population density and paclobutrazol concentration for producing mini shallot bulbs. Plant density is important because the number of plants grown in a certain area can influence competition for light, space, water, and nutrients. Higher density may encourage the formation of smaller bulbs, which is suitable for mini bulb production. Meanwhile, paclobutrazol is a plant growth regulator that can affect vegetative growth and may help control plant size and bulb development.
During the activity, participants observed the growth response of shallot plants under different population densities and paclobutrazol treatments. The activity combined field practice with scientific observation, allowing students and participants to understand how agronomic technology can be developed through experimentation. Parameters such as plant growth, bulb formation, and mini bulb production were important parts of the evaluation.
This activity also showed that agricultural innovation requires careful testing. Producing mini bulbs is not only about making bulbs smaller, but also about maintaining their quality as planting material. Good mini bulbs should be healthy, uniform, and suitable for the next planting cycle. Therefore, determining the right combination of plant density and paclobutrazol application is essential for developing a reliable production method.
The activity supports Sustainable Development Goal 1: No Poverty, because better seed technology can help farmers reduce planting material costs, improve production efficiency, and strengthen income opportunities. It also supports Sustainable Development Goal 4: Quality Education, as the activity provided scientific and technical learning for students and participants through direct field experience. In addition, this collaboration reflects Sustainable Development Goal 17: Partnerships for the Goals, especially through the involvement of an international partner from the University of Miyazaki. Through this activity, mini shallot bulb production was introduced as a promising pathway for improving shallot seed systems. By combining local research, student participation, field experimentation, and international collaboration, Hasanuddin University contributes to the development of practical agricultural technology that can support farmers and strengthen sustainable horticulture in Indonesia.
