Environmental Biology and Toxicology

1. BIODYNAMIC FARMING

2. WHAT MEANS ORGANIC FARMING?
Is a form of agriculture which excludes
- Use of synthetic fertilizers
- Use of pesticides
- Use of plant growth regulators
- Use of genetically modified organisms
ORGANIC FARMING
ORGANIC FARMING
ORGANIC FARMING

3. WHAT IS BIODYNAMIC FARMING ??
• It’s a holistic understanding of agricultural farming
that treats soil fertility, plant growth and livestock
care of ecologically interrelated tasks.
• It emphasizes the use of composts and inputs made
from the various herbal and mineral raw materials
excluding the use of artificial chemicals in soils and
plants.

5. Cont…
• Emphasizes on integrating farm animals, the
use of astronomical sowing and planting
calendar.
• It is one of the first sustainable Agricultural
movement ; produces a living soil and healthy
plants as a result of coordinated work of
earthly and cosmic energies.

6. • Biodynamic farms aim to become self-sufficient
• Use of Biodynamic compost
• The health of the vineyard is improved using biodynamic preparations (these preparations
are made out of quartz, cow manure and well known medicinal herbs as yarrow, dandelion,
chamomile, valerian, nettle, stinging nettle and oak
• An astronomical calendar to organize the work at the field.
• Another unique aspect of biodynamic agriculture is the attention paid to the influences and
rhythms of the sun, moon and planets.
BIODYNAMIC FARMING vs ORGANIC FARMING

7. History
• Founded by Rudolph Steiner
• Began in 1924
• This was a series of 8 lectures given by Dr. Steiner; in response to the
request by farmers who noticed degraded soil conditions and quality
of crops from the use of chemical fertilizers.

8. • Nutrient depletion and erosion of topsoil
• Soil compaction and decreased water holding capacity
• Overuse of chemicals such as pesticides, herbicides, and
fertilizers
• Pesticide resistant insects
• Reduced genetic diversity due to genetic uniformity of crops
• Groundwater contamination due to sediments, salts,
fertilizers, pesticides, and manures
• Increasing costs of production
• Toxic residues found on foods
Reasons for taking up this practice :

9. NECESSARY ELEMENTS of Bio dynamic farming
Soil
To produce healthy, vital plants, one must concentrate mainly on the
structure and the life of the soil.
the nutrients, the trace elements, the microorganisms, the worms and other
animals present in the soil.
Organic matter
In order to create this balanced, living soil, what is required is skilful use
of organic matter.
This is done by building compost heaps and using the Biodynamic
compost preparations.

10. Bio dynamic farming - components
Humus
This mysterious, magical substance supports life and is the carrier of all that the plants need to
grow.
It holds the fertility of the soil in a stable way, and retains water.
Humus is completely digested crude organic matter: rich, dark, and moist with a fresh odour.
This is the base for building up the soil and fostering its formation should be the first priority
when converting to Biodynamic farming.

11. Cow manure
Cow dung is special because of the lengthy digestion process of the cow which
adds much beneficial bacteria to the substance. It is used in building the compost
heaps as a starter and for its nitrogen content and in preparing the Biodynamic
preparations.
Bio dynamic farming - components

13. There are 2 preparations that have to be done and 1 calendar that has to be
maintained:
1. Two field sprays
2. Compost preparation
3. Moon planting calendar – This is a correlation between different parts of the
plant, the cycles of the moon and an astrological chart.
Biodynamic Preparations

14. These preparations were given by Dr Steiner -
• Two field sprays - sprayed directly on the soil or the plants - numbered 500 and
501
• Six preparations - includes mixture of Herbs to be used when making compost -
numbered 502 to 507.
[BD – 500 work in the roots of the plants
BD 501 –sprayed onto the leaves]
Bio dynamic farming - preparations

15. Figure 1 : Preparation from herbs
Figure 2 : The Cosmos
Figure 3: Field Sprayer

16. 1. FIELD SPRAYS

17. Two Groups:
First group - 6 different herbal substances - 502-507.
Second group - 500 and 501.
BD 500 - Cow horn manure
Materials
• fermented cow dung - buried in Sept./Nov and lifted in Feb/March.
• Cow horns
• Fresh cow dung from a lactating cow.
• Average 50-150 gms dung/horn (depends on horn size)

18. Preparation process
Collecting dung.
Burial pit: 18 inches deep.
Collect cow horns.
Collect fresh dung.
Fill cow horns with cow dung.
Place horns in burial pit, 1 inch apart with base downwards, surround
with 50% compost and soil.

19. Preparation cont ..
Keep burial pit soil moist and shaded.
Check for dung fermentation.
Green cow dung has turned into dark, smooth earthy smelling humus (BD
500) they are ready to be lifted
Application :
Spray 4 times a year

20. Effect/result
• Promotes root activity
• Stimulates/increases soil micro-life
• Regulates lime and nitrogen
• Helps to release trace elements
• Increases germination

21. BD 501 Cow horn silica
Materials
Cow horn
Silica quartz crystal – should be clear and well formed.
Preparation process
Crush silica quartz using a pounding rod, a mortar and pestle, or
hammer
Grind to a fine powder between 2 plate glasses

22. Procedure Cont ..
Ensure that the quartz dust is not inhaled as it could lead to
silicosis
Moisten with water to make a stiff paste
Fill horns with the silica paste
Bury horns in soil pit, 1 inch apart with base downwards, surround
with 50% compost

23. Application process
Apply 501 only after one or two applications of BD 500.
Spray the plants using a low-pressure sprayer
Effect/result
Enhances light metabolism, photosynthesis and chlorophyll
Helps to improve color, aroma, flavor and keeping quality of
plants

24. 2. COMPOST
PREPARATIONS

25. USE OF COMPOST PREPARATIONS:
These preparations are made of well-
known medicinal herbs. The goals of the
biodynamic preparations are:
• Increasing the soil life, to set in motion
a virtuous circle of a self-nourishing
vineyard.
• Balancing the plant in its environment.
• Preventing diseases by promoting plant
health and natural defenses.
BIODYNAMIC FARMING

26. Six basic
compost preparations:
• #502 Yarrow
• #503 Chamomile
• #504 Stinging Nettles
• #505 Oak Bark
• #506 Dandelion Flowers
• #507 Valerian

27. 3. MOON PLANTING CALENDAR

28. NEW MOON & FULL MOON INFLUENCES
• In the 48 hours leading up to the full moon there appears a distinct
increase in the moisture content of the earth. The growth forces of
the plants seems to be enhanced.
• During full moon period there is quick seed germination,, fast
plant growth, and a rapid regrowth of any cut or pruned vegetation.

29. ASCENDING and DESCENDING parts of the MOON
• In ascending period, size of moon increases and earth breathes out. This
period is meant for growth activities of above ground parts. During this
the SAP FLOW in plants is more which strengthens the plant parts.
• In descending part, size of moon decreases and earth breathes in. During
this, underground parts are activated more.

30. Benefits of Biodynamics

31. Advantages of Biodynamic Agriculture
• Good for the Environment
• Improvement in Soil Quality
• Healthier for the Consumer
• Higher Annual Yields
• Total Elimination of Toxic Chemicals
• Reductions in Energy Use
• Increase in Nutrients and Richness & water holding
capacity

32. Study on the Quality of Two Soil Samples
Left: Original degraded soil
Right: Soil after two years of Biodynamic farming

33. Study of the Effect of Soil Quality on Plants
grown under different conditions
• Left: control plant
• Center: with chemical fertilizers
• Right: in Biodynamic soil

34. Research
• “Study conducted to compare organic, biodynamic, integrated,
and conventional broadacre farming systems for attributes of
sustainability”11
• Conducted in 1989 and spanned a 6 year period
• Took place at Roseworthy campus in Australia
• Methods:
• Monitored indicators such as soil physical, chemical, and biological changes,
product quality, economics, crop water usage, and energy requirements
• Results for the biodynamic farming system:
• Biodynamic treatment had the highest gross margins
• Available P levels declined 12%
• Weed management the main problem for increasing production levels

35. Economics
Costs and Yields Biodynamic Farm Conventional Farm
Expenses for fertilizers or
materials for
preparations and straw
(DM/ha/year)
7.70 147.00
Yields: Grains
(kg/ha/year)
3600 2900
Hectares per Worker 10.80 9.70
Income per Hectare (DM) 1800.00 1111.00
Income per worker per
year (DM)
18750.00 10760.00
Table 5: Farming costs and yields: Conventional
and biodynamic7

36. REFERENCES
Agritech.tnau.ac.in
Steve Diver.1999. Biodynamic farming &compost preparation. ATTRA is a
project of the National Center for Appropriate Technology
Corrin, George. 1960. Handbook on Composting and the Bio-Dynamic
prepaartion. Bio-Dynamic Agricultural Association. 32p.