Abstract
Abstract Research into biodynamic food and farming has a long history within the biodynamic movement. Whilst the basic aim of this research has always been to provide knowledge for furthering the development of this farming approach, recently interest has increased in sharing research activities and results with the global scientific community. After commencing with an introduction to biodynamic agriculture, this review gives an overview of peer-reviewed publications on issues in biodynamic food and farming that have been published between 2006 and 2017. The time before this period is covered by the reviews of Leiber et al. (2006) and Turinek et al. (2009). Overall, 86 articles were included into this review. The most recognized topics were soil quality and soil health in biodynamic vs. conventional and organic farming, effects of biodynamic preparations, food quality, and viticulture. The studies provide substantial evidence for positive effects of biodynamic management on agroecosystems and food quality: 1) Biodynamic management creates system effects on soils, where compost application plays a crucial role. 2) Biodynamic preparations create effects on food chemical composition and food quality. 3) Biodynamic production can improve the value of food with regard to nutritive properties, taste and human health and well-being. 4) Biodynamic management improves grape quality and plant traits compared to non-biodynamic management. Until now, the effects of biodynamic management have usually been studied with classical analytical methods in natural and life sciences through disciplinary and reductionist study designs. An application of study designs or specific methods that are conducive for a more holistic analysis are rarely implemented. Thus, we identify the development of appropriate methods and study designs for a holistic examination as a major challenge of future research in biodynamic food and farming.
Highlights
From a historical point of view, Biodynamic Agriculture (BDA) has been the first systematic strategy of organic farming as an alternative to the emerging high-input industrial agriculture in early 20th-century Europe
This review shows that early research mainly focuses on the mode of actions of the biodynamic preparations, the impact of the biodynamic approach on the soil and influence of the cosmic rhythms on the development of plants
Biocrystallization is stated as a promising method for quality assessment in biodynamic farming
Summary
From a historical point of view, Biodynamic Agriculture (BDA) has been the first systematic strategy of organic farming as an alternative to the emerging high-input industrial agriculture in early 20th-century Europe. The biodynamic approach is based on eight lectures for farmers (‘Spiritual Foundations for a Renewal of Agriculture: a Series of Lectures.’) given by Rudolf Steiner in 1924 at Koberwitz farm near Wrocław (formerly Breslau) (Steiner 1925, cf Paull 2011). The concept of biodynamic farming has been developed in the context of anthroposophy (Paull 2011a, 2011b). Biodynamic farming is practiced by more than 5.500 farmers worldwide (Demeter International, 2019), and the farming method has a very good reputation among consumers of organic products. Research to approve and develop biodynamic methods has always been an important concern of the community.
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