Biodynamic Farming
Biodynamic Farming
Biodynamic Farming
on
BIODYNAMIC FARMING
PRESENTED BY:
ANU NAWHAL
21PHAGRN103
Ph.D in Agronomy
Department of Agronomy
SHUATS, Prayagraj 1
INTRODUCTION
Biodynamic agriculture was started in 1924.
Rudolf Steiner: Father of biodynamic farming
First modern organic agriculture.
It is based on Anthroposophy.
The oldest biodynamic farms are the Wurzerhof in Austria and
Marienhohe in Germany.
Biodynamic farming
History
Origin of a Geographic
theory development
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ANTROPOSOPHY BIODYNAMICS
The word “Anthroposophy” comes ☼ Biodynamics derived from two Greek
from the Greek language, and means words, bios- life and dynamos-energy.
“wisdom of the human being”. ☼ Biodynamics refers to a “working with
Substance
and Humus
energy
Biodynamic
The farm Farming Cow
organism manure
Cosmic
Peppering
forces
BD
Crop
preparati
rotation
ons
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Advantages of Biodynamic Farming
Field manure
Compost manure
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BIODYNAMIC PREPARATIONS
S.No. Biodynamic Materials Method Application Effects/Results
Preparations
1. BD 500 > Cow - Fill cow horn with cow dung in oct/nov - Mix 25g BD 500/ acre in - Promotes root
(Cow horn horns - Place horns in burial pit of 18in deep. 15lts rain/pure warm activity
manure) > 50- 150 Keeping base downwards and 1 inch apart water. - Stimulate soil
g Cow from each other, surround with 50% - Stir for 1hr alternatively micro-life
dung/horn compost and soil. in clockwise and -Regulates lime and
(depends - Keep pit soil moist and shaded, free from anticlockwise direction nitrogen
on horn weeds and earthworm forming a vortex - Helps to release
size) - After 4 months check dung fermentation - Spray in late afternoon trace elements
-If dung colour turns brown from green, or evening, when moon is -Increases
than BD 500 is ready. descending. germination
2. BD 501 > Cow - Grind silica quartz into fine powder, - Apply 501 only after one - Enhances light
(Cow horn horn make stiff paste of it to two applications of BD metabolism,
silica) > Silica - Fill horns with silica paste 500, during ascending photosynthesis and
quartz - Bury these horns in soil pit, 1in apart moon or moon opposition chlorophyll
crystal with base downward, surround with 50% Saturn - Helps to improve
(200-300 compost and soil from March/April to Sept - Mix 1g BD 501/ 15lts colour, aroma,
g/horn) water, stir for 1hr, flavour and keeping
alternatively in clockwise quality of plants.
and anticlockwise forming
a vortex.
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COMPOST PREPARATIONS
S.No. Prep. Herb or material Relationship to processes of Planet Result
1. 502 Yarrow flower Sulphur (S), Potassium (K) Venus Permits plant to attract trace elements in
(Achiliea millifolium) and trace elements extremely dilute quantities for best nutrition
2. 503 Chamomile flower Calcium (Ca), Sulphur (S) Mercury Stabilizes nitrogen (N) within the compost and
(Matricuria chamomilia) increases soil life so as to stimulate plant growth
3. 504 Stinging Nettle (Utrica Sulphur (S), Potassium (K), Mars - Stimulates soil health, by providing plants with
parvifora) Calcium (Ca), Iron (Fe) the individual nutrition components needed,
‘enlivens’ the earth.
4. 505 Oak Bark (Quercus glauca) Calcium (Ca) Moon Provides healing forces (or qualities) to combat
harmful plant diseases
5. 506 Dandelion flower Silicon (Si) or Silicic acid, Jupitor Stimulates relation between Si and K so that the
(Taraxicum officinalis) Potassium (K) Si can attract cosmic forces to the soil
6. 507 Valerian flower (Valeriana Phosphorus (P) Saturn Stimulates compost so that Phosphorus
officinalis) components is property used by the soil
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Astronomical Planting Calendar & RYTHMS
Appropriate time for farm work
Activity Celestial Event
Cultivation & field preparation, compost making ▼ Descending moon
and spreading
▲ Ascending moon; Suitable moon constellation-
earth, water, air, fire (depending on crop type- root,
Sown seeds leafy, flowering, fruit or seed plant); 48 hours before
ⵔ full moon (Poornima); Moon opposite Saturn
Avoid moon node; Apogee; Perigee; ● New moon
Sowing tuber crops Apogee
Transplanting, seedling; Pot plant: Trees and ▼ Descending moon
Shrubs
Moon in Air sign; ⵔ full moon (Poornima); ▼
Pruning- Flowering plants Descending moon
Grafting ▲ Ascending moon
Do in Moon in air and fire sign constellation; ▲
Ascending moon
Harvesting
Avoid in ⵔ full moon (Poornima); Perigee; Moon in
water sign constellation
Do in ▼ Descending moon; Moon in earth sign
constellation; but potato in Apogee
Harvesting root crop
Avoid in ⵔ full moon (Poornima); Perigee; Moon in
water sign constellation
Harvest other crops ▲ Ascending moon
Storage of grains and seeds Moon in fire sign constellation
Fungal control Moon opposite Saturn
BD 500 application ▼ Descending moon period
BD 501 application ▲ Ascending moon, Moon opposite Saturn
Liquid manure application Before ⵔ full moon (Poornima) 10
SEED PRODUCTION
Biodynamic Agriculture has focused on the open pollination of
seeds (with farmers thereby generally growing their own seed)
and the development of locally adapted varieties.
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RESEARCHES
On
BIODYNAMIC
FARMING 12
TABLE 1. Mean values of soils data from adjacent paddock and plant
data from pot trials, New South Wales Farm, Australia
C.D. at 0.05 3.83 2.42 3.65 2.98 2.63 3.41 2.03 1.90
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