Biodynamic Research Articles

Biodynamic agriculture research progress and priorities

Biodynamic agriculture research progress and priorities

Biodynamic agriculture research progress and priorities

Biodynamic agriculture research progress and priorities

Viticulture and Winemaking in Contemporary Rural Change: Experience from Southern France and Eastern Australia

New supply chains incorporating quality production, often by means of organic or biodynamic farming, more direct sales to consumers and an expansion of agro-tourism have become established in Western European farming during the past 30 years. This paper examines evidence for such changes with respect to recent changes in winemaking in the middle Hérault valley in southern France and eastern Australia. The changes in winemaking in both countries conform closely to those described in the literature on alternative food networks in Europe with an emphasis on the production of locality-specific, quality wines, often using environmentally-sensitive cultivation practices.

Discovering Terroir in the Wines of Alsace

Alsace vineyards are complex in subsoil type. The author proposes that the characteristics of the subsoil are the most indelible aspect of terroir. Many Alsace wine producers use sustainable, biologic, and biodynamic farming practices in order to best transfer flavors that could be attributed to subsoil type. Both the traditional and modern vinification and maturation methods of Alsace producers interfere minimally with the transfer of subsoil flavor to wine flavor. Hence, Alsace wine is the ideal locus to sense and understand ““terroir”” in wine. The author examines whether and how subsoil flavor can be sensed in wine flavor. In particular, he assesses what could account for ““mineral”” smells and tastes in wine. Most Alsace wines are composed of one grape variety. Until recently all Grand Cru wines had to be composed of only one of the four varietals: Riesling, Gewurztraminer, Pinot Gris, and Muscat d'Alsace. Recent changes in wine legislation allow other vine varieties or blends of varieties in Grand Cru wines. The author examines the relationship of these legal changes to the terroir issue and to the marketability of Alsace wine. The author substantiates his theses by comparing and contrasting the opinions of various Alsace winemakers whom he interviewed in November of 2007.

Polyphenol content and antiradical activity of Cichorium intybus L. from biodynamic and conventional farming

Conventionally- and biodynamically-grown chicory ( Cichorium intybus L.) was compared for its polyphenol content and antiradical activity. Two growing periods were analysed: in the first, the plants were subjected to severe water stress; in the second the stress was absent. The polyphenol content (Folin–Ciocalteu test) was higher in samples from the former than in the latter (about 650 and 420mg of gallic acid/100g fresh sample, respectively), and in any case did not differ between the two growing systems; antiradical activity for the second sampling was higher in the case of the biodynamic system. HPLC/DAD/MS analysis identified five hydroxycinnamic acids and eight flavonoids (quercetin, kaempferol, luteolin and apigenin glycosides) and indicated changes in hydroxycinnamic content in the four samplings which were greatest in the case of conventional farming. Biodynamic farming, like organic farming, allows the achievement of good results, with particular attention to environmental conditions.

Long-term organic farming fosters below and aboveground biota: Implications for soil quality, biological control and productivity

Organic farming may contribute substantially to future agricultural production worldwide by improving soil quality and pest control, thereby reducing environmental impacts of conventional farming. We investigated in a comprehensive way soil chemical, as well as below and aboveground biological parameters of two organic and two conventional wheat farming systems that primarily differed in fertilization and weed management strategies. Contrast analyses identified management related differences between “herbicide-free” bioorganic (BIOORG) and biodynamic (BIODYN) systems and conventional systems with (CONFYM) or without manure (CONMIN) and herbicide application within a long-term agricultural experiment (DOK trial, Switzerland). Soil carbon content was significantly higher in systems receiving farmyard manure and concomitantly microbial biomass (fungi and bacteria) was increased. Microbial activity parameters, such as microbial basal respiration and nitrogen mineralization, showed an opposite pattern, suggesting that soil carbon in the conventional system (CONFYM) was more easily accessible to microorganisms than in organic systems. Bacterivorous nematodes and earthworms were most abundant in systems that received farmyard manure, which is in line with the responses of their potential food sources (microbes and organic matter). Mineral fertilizer application detrimentally affected enchytraeids and Diptera larvae, whereas aphids benefited. Spider abundance was favoured by organic management, most likely a response to increased prey availability from the belowground subsystem or increased weed coverage. In contrast to most soil-based, bottom-up controlled interactions, the twofold higher abundance of this generalist predator group in organic systems likely contributed to the significantly lower abundance of aboveground herbivore pests (aphids) in these systems. Long-term organic farming and the application of farmyard manure promoted soil quality, microbial biomass and fostered natural enemies and ecosystem engineers, suggesting enhanced nutrient cycling and pest control. Mineral fertilizers and herbicide application, in contrast, affected the potential for top-down control of aboveground pests negatively and reduced the organic carbon levels. Our study indicates that the use of synthetic fertilizers and herbicide application changes interactions within and between below and aboveground components, ultimately promoting negative environmental impacts of agriculture by reducing internal biological cycles and pest control. On the contrary, organic farming fosters microbial and faunal decomposers and this propagates into the aboveground system via generalist predators thereby increasing conservation biological control. However, grain and straw yields were 23% higher in systems receiving mineral fertilizers and herbicides reflecting the trade-off between productivity and environmental responsibility.

PRODUÇÃO DE ALFACE NO SISTEMA ORGÂNICO EM SUCESSÃO A AVEIA PRETA, SOBRE A PALHA, E DIFERENTES COBERTURAS DO SOLO

Objetivou-se avaliar o efeito da cobertura do solo com aveia preta e manutenção da palha sobre o terreno, bem como cobertura do solo com filme de polietileno preto, sobre o desenvolvimento, produção e teor de nitrogênio de alface cultivada no sistema orgânico. Definiram-se cinco manejos da cobertura do solo: sem cobertura, coberto com filme de polietileno preto, coberto com aveia deitada, coberto com aveia ceifada e coberto com aveia na sua forma natural, para o cultivo de três cultivares de alface. O experimento foi conduzido na Associação Brasileira de Agricultura Biodinâmica (ABD), Botucatu - SP, em delineamento experimental de blocos ao acaso, com quatro repetições, em análise estatística com parcelas subdivididas. Concluiu-se que, as coberturas do solo promoveram melhor desenvolvimento e maior produção de alface quando comparadas ao solo sem cobertura. Entre os manejos da cobertura do solo, o solo coberto com plástico preto promoveu a maior produção de alface, e entre os manejos da palha, a alface lisa apresentou maior produção no solo coberto com aveia deitada, a crespa nos solos cobertos com aveia deitada e aveia em pé, e a americana nos solos cobertos com aveia ceifada e aveia em pé.

The Role of Field Margins in Agro-biodiversity Management at the Farm Level

The agroecosystem could be considered as a mosaic so large to involve fields with annual and perennial crops, pastures, spots of wildwood, semi-natural habitats, vegetation in the edges of fields. In the agroecosystem these ecological infrastructures have a positive effects on the crops because of the exchange among community of organisms, materials and energy. The aim of this research is to evaluate the effects of field margins on some biodiversity components (plant species and carabid beetles) of four farms located in Val d’Orcia (Tuscany). We compared three types of field margins: 1. Cultivated margin strips; 2. Sown grass margin strips; 3. Wild margin strips with hedgerow. In a very simplified typology of farming system, like the one studied (Val d’Orcia), the presence of field margins (hedges, margin strips and semi-natural habitats associated with the boundary) is very important for its ecological effects: it improves the planned biodiversity, gives habitat, refuge, food and corridors for the movement to the different species of organisms in the area. Applying the multivariate analysis to the experimental data, we can notice a positive effect of the presence of field margins on the trend of both components of biodiversity. This positive effect, which support the mechanisms of autoregulation of the agroecosystems, is very important especially for organic and biodynamic agriculture, where the use of pesticides is not allowed.

Biology and Beyond: The Science of “Back to Nature” Farming in the United States

Organic farming, biodynamic farming, and other alternative approaches to agriculture are often described in spatial terms such as “close to,”“going back to,” and “following” nature, and correspondingly represent a production process that is ineluctably local, farmer-led, and relies on minimal external inputs, especially in terms of science and technology. In contrast to this representation, however, this article argues that going back to nature is, and has been, a scientific process. An examination of the development of several key ideas in alternative agriculture reveals the participation of scientists and the pursuit of scientific research resulting in a diverse range of society-nature relationships and agricultural technologies. By applying Bruno Latour's circulatory model of scientific work to the endeavors of people involved in U.S. alternative agriculture, I show how networks of people involved in alternative agriculture, like scientific disciplines, have produced “immutable mobiles,” or ideas that travel across time and space, and have made control of knowledge as much a focus as control of crop production. This investigation seeks to contribute to current analyses of the rise of the organic agriculture movement and more broadly to our understanding of the dynamics of alternative groups and the generation of alternative ideas. Latour's model proves effective for analyzing the mechanisms through which new knowledge is generated, even outside conventional academic disciplines. Deploying this model within a context of power, particularly Foucault's ideas about discourse, is necessary to evaluate why some ideas prove more successful than others.

Comparing irrigated biodynamic and conventionally managed dairy farms. 2. Milk production and composition and animal health

Ten paired irrigated dairy farms under biodynamic (BD) and conventional (CV) management were compared over a 3-year period (1991–93). The paired farms were located in the irrigation districts of northern Victoria and southern New South Wales and were matched for soil type, cattle breed and farm area. The BD farms practised BD principles for an average of 16 years before the study. The effects of farm management on milk yields and composition and animal health were examined by annually surveying farm managers regarding disease incidence and chemical treatment of animals, and by measuring milk yield and composition and faecal egg counts over the experimental period. The two hypotheses tested were that (1) milk volume and milk solids per cow would be lower under BD management, and (2) the incidence of internal parasitic infection and disease would be lower under CV management. Milk production and milk components produced, both on a per hectare and per cow basis, were 24–36% higher (P < 0.01) under CV management, due to significantly higher pasture intakes (P < 0.001). Although the incidence of parasitic infection was similar for mature cows, CV farms consistently used a greater number of chemical treatments (P < 0.05). Although BD heifer calves <8 months in age had significantly (P < 0.05) higher faecal egg counts, the results highlight the risk of reduced growth rates in calves due to high rates of parasite infection, under both management systems. Somatic cell counts were higher (P < 0.05) under BD management, with this being consistent with the use of significantly less chemical treatments under this management system. The implications of these findings for both CV and BD management for milk production and animal health are discussed.

Comparing irrigated biodynamic and conventionally managed dairy farms. 1. Soil and pasture properties

Ten paired irrigated dairy farms under biodynamic (BD) and conventional (CV) management were compared over a 4-year period (1991–94). The paired farms were located in the irrigation districts of northern Victoria and southern New South Wales and were matched for soil type, climate, cattle breed and farm area. Farms had been practising BD principles for an average of 16 years before the commencement of the study and had not received phosphorus (P) fertiliser for an average of 17 years. The effects of farm management on soil chemical and biological properties and the nutritive properties and botanical composition of pasture were examined at varying sampling times during the study. Soil Olsen extractable P concentrations were consistently 2–3 times higher under CV management at various sampling depths (mean = 22 mg/kg, 0–10 cm), and were generally marginal under BD management in the surface 10 cm (mean = 8.5 mg/kg). Low soil extractable P concentrations were also reflected in consistently lower mean pasture P concentrations under BD management (0.25 compared with 0.35% on CV farms). Lower soil and pasture P concentrations under BD management were the result of a large negative P balance across BD farms (–17 kg P/ha.year). A mean negative P balance under BD management was a result of low P imports (2 kg P/ha.year) in comparison with large quantities of P (19 kg P/ha.year) effectively lost from the farming system through animal products, estimated losses in water runoff and slowly reversible soil P reactions. These results suggest that greater P imports are required to ensure the future sustainability of BD dairy pasture farming systems. There were few differences in soil biological properties, with earthworm weights significantly higher under CV management, but no difference in soil organic carbon, humus concentration, the weight of the organic mat or microbial biomass, between the two management systems.

Bio-dynamic Farming in Organic Crop Production

Bio-dynamic farming is an alternative farming system where the chemical fertilizers are substituted with the mobilization of nutrients for the use of the plants from the environment with the help of high levels of microbes. This chapter discuss in detail the procedure for the bio-dynamic composting, Cow pat pit manure (CPP), Liquid manures, Cow Horn Manure (Preparation 500), Cow Horn Silica (Preparation 501), Preparation 502, Preparation 503, Preparation 504, Preparation 505, Preparation 506, Preparation 507 and Preparation 508. Other topics covered in this chapter are Bio-dynamic preparations in pest management strategy, use of planting calendar and the Demeter certification system for the bio-dynamic farms. Since the scientific back up is still missing for the bio-dynamic farming strategies, the objective of this chapter is only to introduce this system, methods and the preparations.

Biodynamic agriculture interdisciplinary approach. Subtle field phyto-bio-dynamic modulators.

Our habitat is continuously affected by the strateg ies elaborated for the future agriculture. Ancu Dinca's devices are intelligent phyto-bio-dynamic modulators that can generate subtle fields to contri bute to a biodynamic agriculture. We don't consume only the physical plants, but the energetic field of its reso nate with our own energetic fields. So, we influence plants d uring growth and plants influence us too.

Soil organic matter and biological soil quality indicators after 21 years of organic and conventional farming

Organic farming systems often comprise crops and livestock, recycle farmyard manure for fertilization, and preventive or biocontrol measures are used for plant protection. We determined indicators for soil quality changes in the DOK long-term comparison trial that was initiated in 1978. This replicated field trial comprises organic and integrated (conventional) farming systems that are typical for Swiss agriculture. Livestock based bio-organic (BIOORG), bio-dynamic (BIODYN) and integrated farming systems (CONFYM) were compared at reduced and normal fertilization intensity (0.7 and 1.4 livestock units, LU) in a 7 year crop rotation. A stockless integrated system is fertilized with mineral fertilizers exclusively (CONMIN) and one control treatment remained unfertilized (NOFERT). The CONFYM system is amended with stacked manure, supplemental mineral fertilizers, as well as chemical pesticides. Manure of the BIOORG system is slightly rotted and in BIODYN it is composted aerobically with some herbal additives. In the third crop rotation period at normal fertiliser intensity soil organic carbon (Corg, w/w) in the plough layer (0–20 cm) of the BIODYN system remained constant and decreased by 7% in CONFYM and 9% in BIOORG as compared to the starting values. With no manure application Corg-loss was severest in NOFERT (22%), followed by CONMIN together with the systems at reduced fertiliser intensity (14–16%). Soil pH tended to increase in the organic systems, whereas the integrated systems had the lowest pH values. At the end of the third crop rotation period in 1998 biological soil quality indicators were determined. Compared to soil microbial biomass in the BIODYN systems the CONFYM soils showed 25% lower values and the systems without manure application were lower by 34%. Relative to the BIODYN soils at the same fertilization intensity dehydrogenase activity was 39–42% lower in CONFYM soils and even 62% lower in soils of CONMIN. Soil basal respiration did not differ between farming systems at the same intensity, but when related to microbial biomass (qCO2) it was 20% higher in CONFYM soils and 52% higher in CONMIN as compared to BIODYN, suggesting a higher maintenance requirement of microbial biomass in soils of the integrated systems. The manure based farming systems of the DOK trial are likely to favour an active and fertile soil. Both, Corg and biological soil quality indicators were clearly depending on the quantity and quality of the applied manure types, but soil microbial biomass and activities were much more affected than Corg.

PESTS CONTROL IN ECOLOGICAL VEGETABLE GROWING

During years were developed three alternative agriculture systems: biodynamic agriculture (Germany, 1913), biological agriculture (Switzerland, 1940) and organic agriculture (Great Britain, 1995), each with their specific. Now in Europe and also in Romania they are used terms as: durable, ecologic, biologic or organic. In ecological vegetable growing the culture technology has some basic principles: preserve soil fertilization, avoiding environment pollution and means wastages, etc. Besides with these principles also have big importance: choosing the area, soil work and fertilization, crop rotation, variety selecting, crops association and plant protection through specific methods (Silguy, C. 1994) for disease fighting and pests in ecological vegetable growing In these context, the most frequent pests are: Nematozii (Meloidogyne), Coropisniţa (Grylotalpa grylotalpa), Furnica de pasune (Lasius flavus), Musculiţa alba de sera (Trialeurodes vaporariorum), Afide – aphids, Gândacul de Colorado (Leptinotarsa decemlineata), are controlled through different preventive and curative specific methods for each pests, according with ecological vegetable growing principles.

Community structures and substrate utilization of bacteria in soils from organic and conventional farming systems of the DOK long-term field experiment

Preservation or improvement of soil quality and productivity is of major importance for sustainable agriculture. Microorganisms strongly influence these soil characteristics as they are involved in nutrient cycling, transformation processes and soil aggregate formation, as well as in plant pathology or plant growth promotion. A profound understanding of structure, dynamics and functions of soil microbial populations represents one key to the understanding and description of soil quality. Therefore, we analyzed long-term effects of three farmyard manure (FYM)-based farming systems, i.e. bio-dynamic (BIODYN), bio-organic (BIOORG) and conventional (CONFYM), on microbiological soil characteristics and compared them to long-term effects of minerally fertilized (CONMIN) and unfertilized (NOFERT) control systems. Furthermore, we compared these long-term effects of farming systems to short-term effects of the crops winter wheat and grass-clover ley. The DOK field experiment in Therwil, Switzerland, which was established in 1978, represents in a unique long-term comparison, allowing to approach these questions. Effects on microbiological soil characteristics were assessed with a polyphasic approach by analyzing soil microbial biomass, soil DNA content, colony forming unit (CFU) counts, community level substrate utilization (CLSU) patterns with Biolog™ EcoPlates, and terminal restriction fragment length polymorphism (T-RFLP) profiles of bacterial 16S rRNA genes. The soil biomass parameters, i.e. microbial biomass, DNA content and CFU, were all strongly influenced by the farming systems, whereas only CFUs were significantly affected by the two crops analyzed. Differences among the FYM-based farming systems BIODYN, BIOORG and CONFYM were only significant for microbial biomass and DNA content. CLSU and T-RFLP profiling, on the other hand, allowed for consistent differentiation of soil bacterial community structure in relation to the influence of farming systems and crops. The analyses revealed that the main and highly significant effect on microbiological soil characteristics was related to FYM applications. Less strong but significant effects were caused by the two crops, i.e. winter wheat and grass-clover. Effects of the farming systems BIODYN, BIOORG and CONFYM on soil bacterial community structure were relatively weak and not significant. These results suggest that for successful soil quality management fertilization regime and crop rotation are of major importance and that polyphasic approaches are needed to describe and assess microbiological soil characteristics.

Microbial Analysis and Test of Plant Pathogen Antagonism of Municipal and Farm Composts

ABSTRACT Plant disease suppression induced by compost amendment in some cases results from the activity of antagonistic microorganisms that naturally colonize compost during the curing phase of the composting process. Based on this hypothesis, extracts from seven different mature composts, two municipal and five biodynamic farm composts, were analysed qualitatively and quantitatively with respect to their microbiota involved in plant disease suppression. The role of the microorganisms colonizing these composts was investigated in vitro for their ability to suppress Verticillium longisporum, Rhizoctonia solani, Pythium ultimum and Aphanomyces euteiches. Compost microbes were characterized by some of their functional properties such as production of hydrolytic enzymes that can be of importance for their beneficial effects in plants. The composts differed from each other both qualitatively and quantitatively with respect to their microbial composition. FAME analysis of the compost extracts divided the composts into two groups with the two municipal composts in one group and two of the biodynamic farm composts in the other. Bacteria were found as the dominating group compared with the fungi. Of the total 85 representative strains isolated from different composts, most of the strains exhibited a higher degree of antagonism towards R. solani and P. ultimum than towards V. longisporum and A. euteichus. The majority of the anti-pathogenic strains originated from two types of composts, biodynamic household- and yard waste and biodynamic manure. Cellulolytic ability was positively related to antagonism against Rhizoctonia, and fluorescence was positively related to antagonism against Pythium. Significance of the results is discussed in relation to the antagonistic potential of composts as carriers of beneficial microorganisms.

Organic Farming

Organic Farming is recognized by FAO as suitable for sustainable agriculture. The reasons for adopting Organic Farming world wide are discussed in the paper. It is explained how in the Indian context Organic Farming is most suited for small and marginal farmers. A brief description is also given of the various Organic Farming protocols. Economic implications and export potentials are also discussed. Exponents of Organic Farming have given it various names such as Biological Farming, Regenerative Farming, Low Input Sustainable Agriculture (LISA) Low External Input Sustainable Agriculture (LEISA). Steiner's Biodynamic Farming. Mollison's ‘Permaculture’, Fukouka's Natural Farming and late Prof D. Dabholkar's ‘Paryag Pariwar’ and the Vedic based Homa Farming. The Underlying principle behind all of them is providing integrated efforts to maintain the agro eco-system in a sustainable manner. The FAO's Codex Alimentarius Commission (June 1999) stated “Organic Agriculture is a holistic production management system which promotes and enhances agro ecosystem health, including biodiversity, biological cycles and soil, biological activity’ The founder of Cuba's Organic Farming Association has beautifully described Organic Farming. ’Many people think that farming is a simple and mundane act, but they are wrong. It is the soul of any great culture, because it requires not only a great deal of accumulated knowledge but also putting this knowledge to use every single day. Knowledge of the weather, the soil, plants, animals, the cycles of nature: all of this is used everyday by a farmer to make decisions that have to be made in order to produce the food that we eat. To us it may seem like food comes from a factory, but in reality it comes from a culture that generations have created to produce that food”.

Production and processing of organically grown fiber nettle (Urtica dioica L.) and its potential use in the natural textile industry: A review

AbstractIn Europe, the perennial stinging nettle was cultivated during the 19th century until the Second World War and has a long history as a fiber plant. Clone varieties dating back to the early 20th century are still maintained at European research institutions. The fiber content of clones ranges from 1.2 to 16% dry matter, and fiber yields range from 0.14 to 1.28 Mg ha−1. Varietal purity of fiber nettle can only be achieved by planting cuttings. The harvesting of fiber starts in the second year of growth and the crop may produce well for several years. Several agronomic practices influence fiber quality, but causal relations are not yet well understood. Various parts of the fiber nettle plant can be used as food, fodder and as raw material for different purposes in cosmetics, medicine, industry and biodynamic agriculture. Organically produced fibers are in demand by the green textile industry and show potential that is economically promising.

Evidence for Lunar-Sidereal Rhythms in Crop Yield: A Review

ABSTRACT In 1956, Thun developed a procedure of sowing according to the position of the Moon in front of the twelve zodiacal constellations. These constellations were classified into four groups according to the element (Earth, Water, Air and Fire) astrologically associated with them. Root, leaf, flower and fruit crops were found to show increased yields if sown when the Moon stood before Earth, Water, Air and Fire constellations, respectively. Thun's philosophy of sowing by this sidereal rhythm has become a major component of biodynamic planting calendars, even though the founder of biodynamic agriculture, Rudolf Steiner, had only mentioned positive effects of the Full Moon in an agricultural context. In 1990, Spiess published a three-year study claiming to find effects of other lunar rhythms but not those of the 27-day sidereal month. This paper reviews published confirmations of the ‘Thun effect’ and reanalyses data concerning planting times and crop yields from Spiess's study with radish and carrots, by computing yield values as deviations from a moving average rather than as deviations from seasonal trends estimated by quadratic functions. The re-analysis showed an increase (ca +7%) in the yield of radishes which were sown in Earth constellations for his 1982 trial, with a comparable result demonstrated on re-analysing data from three years of carrot trials.