The soil seed bank: A simple, reproducible and inexpensive experimental methodology to learn about the biology of weeds

Despite the importance of field trips and experimental works in plant health, Agronomic Engineering and similar careers lack these types of activities in their programs. To address this deficiency, we developed a proposal based on an experimental class using soil seed banks (SSB) to promote the study of the biology and ecology of weeds in an undergraduate course for aspiring agronomists. During the development of the proposal, the students collect samples from the SSB in an agricultural-livestock field subjected to different types of tillage and through a methodology that combines field trips, laboratory work and statistical processing of results, evaluating different aspects of the SSB of the study area with the delivery of a final report of the experience. The proposal uses low-cost materials and equipment that are commonly present in any university laboratory, the methodology is simple and easily reproducible, as well as free of risks to human health, being applicable in any university or secondary school. This set of experiments should help students to develop different skills such as the management and design of experimental trials, to promote their ability to discuss and solve practical problems, as well as to draw conclusions from their observations and the results obtained. Finally, this practical activity puts them in contact with their future professional career and also gives them a chance to start in the field of research. This proposal aims to increase the ability of students to solve problems using flexible scientific methods and develop skills such as handling experimental trials and discussing their observations or results obtained.