Biodynamic farming

Master Seminar
On
BIODYNAMIC FARMING
Seminar In-charge
Dr. P. D. Sonawane
Professor
Department of Agronomy
College of Agriculture, Dhule.
Presented By
Mr. Rushikesh Arun Pawar
M.Sc. (Agri)
Department of Agronomy
Reg. No.: 2019/030
DEPARTMENT OF AGRONOMY
COLLEGE OFAGRICULTURE, DHULE.
MAHATMA PHULE KRISHI VIDHYAPEETH,
RAHURI.
2020-21
Course no. : AGRON – 591 (0+1)

• Introduction
• History of Biodynamic Farming
• Anthroposophy
• Scenario of Biodynamic Farming
• Ills of Green Revolution
• Reasons for Organic Farming
• Forms of Organic Farming
• Features of Biodynamic Farming
• Principles of Biodynamic Farming
• Methods of Biodynamic Farming
• BD Preparations
• Planting Calendar
• Certification
• Advantages of Biodynamic Farming
• Results
• Conclusion
• References
CONTENT

 Biodynamic agriculture is an advanced form of
organic farming system that is gaining increased
attention for its emphasis on food quality and soil
health.
 It is a method of farming that aims to treat the
farm as a living system which interacts with the
environment, to build healthy living soil, and to
produce food that nourishes, vitalises and helps to
develop humanity.

 Biodynamics derived from Greek words bios (life) and
dynamos (energy).
 Biodynamics can be understood as a combination of
“biological” and “dynamic” agriculture practices.
 “Biological” practices include a series of well-known
organic farming techniques that improve soil health.
 “Dynamic” practices are intended to influence biological
as well as metaphysical aspects of the farm (such as
increasing vital life force), or to adapt the farm to natural
rhythms (such as planting seeds during certain lunar
phases).

 The name “Biodynamic” refers to a working with the
energies which create and maintain life.
 Biodynamic agriculture refers to the agriculture science
that recognises basic principles at work in nature and
applies this knowledge of life forces to bring about
balance and healing in the soil.

 Biodynamic agriculture was developed out of eight
lectures on agriculture given in 1924 by Rudolf Steiner
(1861−1925), an Austrian scientist and philosopher, to a
group of farmers near Breslau (which was then in the
eastern part of Germany and is now Wroclaw in Poland).
 These lectures, as well as four supplemental lessons, are
published in a book titled “Spiritual Foundations for the
Renewal of Agriculture”, originally published in English
as An Agricultural Course (1).

 The Agriculture Course lectures were taught by Steiner
in response to observations from farmers that soils
were becoming depleted following the introduction of
chemical fertilizers at the turn of the century. In
addition to degraded soil conditions, farmers noticed a
deterioration in the health and quality of crops and
livestock.
 Thus, biodynamic agriculture was the first ecological
farming system to develop as a grassroots alternative
to chemical agriculture.

 The oldest biodynamic farms are found at Wurzerhof
in Austria and Marienhohe in Germany.

 Biodyanmic history is divided in two point
1. Origin of a theory
 Rudolf Steiner founder of “antroposophic agriculture”
named it as biodyanmic agriculture.
 Steiner established a research group, the “Agricultural
Experimental Centre of Antroposophical Farmers and
Gardner's of the General Antroposophical Society.”
 The Association was renamed as “The Imperial
Association for Biodynamic Agriculture” in 1933.

2. Geographic Development
 Practice of biodynamic farming widespread over
Europe, Asia and Africa covering over 60 countries.
 Ernesto Genoni was the first farmer who practiced
biodynamic farming.
 In 1928, Antroposophical Agricultural Foundation was
founded in England, now known as Biodynamic
Agriculture Association.
 In USA the Biodynamic Farming and Gardening
Association was founded in 1938.
 IFOAM was founded in 1972 to enhance organic
farming.

 The practice and philosophy of the biodynamic
method are based on the worldview of anthroposophy.
 Steiner defined Anthroposophy as ”a path of
knowledge whose objective is to guide the spiritual in
man to the spiritual in the universe”.
 Anthroposophy is a modern path of knowledge and a
spiritual science, which enables the human being to
gain a deeper understanding of his/her own true
nature, and of the world we live in.
 The word "Anthroposophy" comes from the Greek
language, and means "wisdom of the human being".

 The arts, the sciences, education, agriculture, medicine,
architecture, all these fields have been permeated and
transformed by the impulse of Anthroposophy.
 It is thus a living power, which appeals to the whole
human being, to his/her three-fold nature of thinking,
feeling and actions .

 As of 2019, biodynamic techniques were used on 2,02,045
hectares in 55 countries.
 Germany accounts for 41.8% of the global total, the
remainder average is 1750 ha per country.
 Biodyamic methods have been taken up by several notable
vineyards and wine grapes are largely produced by
biodynamics followed by sweet potato, barley and
crucifers.

 There are certification agencies for biodynamic products,
most of which are operated under the international
biodynamics standards group Demeter International.
 In India Karnataka has highest area under biodynamic
farming followed Gujarat.
 Highest number of groups working on biodynamic farming
are registered in Karnataka followed by Gujarat, Karnataka,
Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh.

The ills of green revolution has been listed below
 Reduction in natural fertility of the soil.
 Destruction of soil structure, aeration and WHC.
 Susceptibility to soil erosion by water and wind.
 Diminishing returns on inputs.
 Killing of useful insects, microorganisms and predators.
 Breeding more resistant species of insects.
 Reducing genetic diversity of plant species.
 Pollution with toxic chemicals.
 Endangering the health of farmers.
 Poisoning the food with pesticide residues

 High potential to counter soil degradation.
 Enables the ecosystem to better adjust the effects of climate change.
 Reduces the emission of agricultural green house gases.
 Potential for reverting the dramatic decline of biodiversity.
 Improve the soil structure.
 Lower the CO2 emissions of organic agriculture.
 Low energy consumption.
 Reducing the cost of cleaning of drinking water.
 Less pollution hazard.
 No residual effect of chemicals.
 Less mechanization.

 to increase the vitality of food.
 to regenerate natural resources such as the soil
(by restoring the organic matter present in the
soil), the seeds, and the water.
 to create a personal relationship with the world in
which we live, with nature of which we are apart
of, and to learn to work together.
 most of all, to be of service to the Earth and its
beings by aiding nature where it is weak due to
constant use.

PIONEERS FROM ROUND THE WORLD
 The organic movement was founded almost 100 years
ago by visionary pioneers.
 The concept arose in several places around the world.
‘Organic’ was one of a number of terms the visionaries
used to describe and define their diverse approaches.
 Indigenous movements in Latin America, Japan and
India also recognized the value of biological and cultural
diversity.

 With the establishment of IFOAM - Organics International,
the early 1970s saw the emergence of Organic 2.0.
 Over the following decades, production and processing
standards were developed and certification schemes were
introduced by organic organizations around the world.
 Organic claims became regulated in great detail. Official
regulation was first introduced in Europe and the United
States of America in the 1980s.
 By 2015, 82 countries in Africa, the Americas, Asia, Europe
and Oceania had implemented organic regulations. Organic
standards and control through inspection and certification
has gained the trust of consumers and policy makers

 Organic 3.0 expands the options and enhances holistic
system development, positioning organic as a modern,
innovative farming.
 Organic 3.0 strategizes on its principles of health, ecology,
fairness and care.
 The overall goal of Organic 3.0 is to develop sustainable
farming systems and markets based on organic principles.

Low Sustainability High
Few
No.
of
producers
High

 It is a holistic form of agricultural farming that treats soil
fertility, plant growth and livestock care as ecologically
inter related tasks.
 It emphasizes on use of composts and inputs made from
various herbal, mineral and manure raw materials
excluding use of artificial chemicals.
 Emphasizes on integrating farm animals, use of
astronomical sowing and planting calendar.
 Maintaining sustainability with producing a living soil
and healthy plants as a result of coordinated work of
earthly and cosmic energies.

PRINCIPLES
OF BD
FARMING
SOIL ORGANIC
MATTER
HUMUS
COW
MANURE
COSMIC
FORCES
BD
PREPARATIONS
CROP
ROTATION
PEPPERING
FARM
ORGANISMS
SUBSTANCE
AND
ENERGY
HERBAL
TEAS

1. 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.
 If the soil is balanced in its life forces, the plants
growing in it will be stronger, healthier, and higher in
quality.
 No chemicals necessary.

2. 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.

3. 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.

4. 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.

5. Cosmic forces and planetary influences :
 Lunar and astrological cycles play a key role in the timing
of biodynamic practices, such as the making of BD
preparations and when to plant and cultivate using
biodynamic calendar.
 Recognition of celestial influences on plant growth and
awareness that subtle energy forces affect biological
systems.

6. Biodynamic preparations :
 These simple, natural, homeopathic preparations are used
to enhance the effects of the planets and of minerals on the
soil and the plants, and also to enhance the breaking-
down process in the compost heaps.
 Dr. Steiner gave two preparations to be sprayed directly
on the soil or the plants (numbered 500 and 501), and six
preparations to be used when making compost
(numbered 502 to 507).

7. Crop rotation :
 Crop rotation, proper soil cultivation and other organic
farming methods: intelligent planning to let the soil rest
after heavy-feeding crops (such as potatoes, tomatoes,
cabbage), by sowing green manures (legumes, clover)
and covering the soil (grass, clover) so that it may build
up its humus content and nitrogen levels.

8. Peppering :
 To deal with an unbalanced insect problem, animal pests
or weed problem, one may collect the insects, weed seeds,
or dead animal skins, burn them at the appropriate time
according to planetary positions.
 The ash can be potentized in water as a homeopathic
medicine, and spray it on the land. This is an effective
biodynamic alternative to using chemical sprays.

9. The farm organism :
 The more self-sufficient a farm can be, the
healthier it will be.
 The aim is to have a wide variety of plants and
animals, and to bring something from outside
(such as manure, bio-pesticides) only if there is
an imbalance that must be rectified, as medicine.
 Important aspects of the farm include the water
source and balance, prevention of soil erosion by
planting trees and hedges which also help in
wind protection and providing animal habitat,
being aware of insect life and balance which
could include looking after honey bees.

10. Substance and energy :
 Life is more than just chemicals; it depends on the
interaction of matter and energies.
 For example, plants need light and warmth as well as earth
and water to grow.
 The interaction of substance and energy forms a balanced
system.
 Only plants which have grown in a balanced soil can give
us energy (through trace minerals, enzymes, growth
hormones) as well as substance.

11. Liquid manures and herbal teas :
 Herbal teas usually consist of one fermented plant extract,
while liquid manures are made by fermenting a mixture of
herb plants in combination with fish or seaweed extracts.
 The purpose of herbal teas and liquid manures are
manifold; here again, they perform dual roles by
supporting biological as well as dynamic processes on the
farm.
 To reflect their multi-purpose use, they are sometimes
referred to as immune building plant extracts, plant tonics
and bio-stimulants.

 The guidelines to be followed are :
 All short term manuring, use of water soluble
fertilizers is discontinued.
 Stop all chemical weed control methods.
 Encourage legume growth, earthworm activity
and other soil micro-organisms.
 Influence the permanent build up of humus.
 Need of adequate trees to provide shelter and
shade as conservation of moisture, protection
from wind and also act as predators.

Biodynamic
Farming
Planting Calendar BD preparation
Field manure
Compost manure

 A distinguishing feature of biodynamic farming is the use
of nine biodynamic preparations described by Steiner for
the purpose of enhancing soil quality and stimulating
plant life.
 They consist of mineral, plant, or animal manure extracts,
usually fermented and applied in small proportions to
compost, manures, the soil, or directly onto plants, after
dilution and stirring procedures called dynamizations.
 The preparations are used in homeopathic quantities,
meaning they produce an effect in extremely diluted
amounts. As an example, just 1/16th ounce - a level
teaspoon - of each compost preparation is added to seven
to ten ton piles of compost.

Group BD Number Ingredient
Group A
BD 500 Cow Horn + Fresh cow dung
BD 501 Cow Horn + Silica quartz crystal
Group B
BD 502 Yarrow blossoms (Achillea millefolium) + Urinary
bladder of stag
BD 503 Chamomile blossoms (Chamomilla officinalis)
BD 504 Stinging nettle (whole plant in full bloom)
(Urtica dioca)
BD 505 Oak bark (Quercus robur)
BD 506 Dandelion flowers (Taraxacum officinale)
BD 507 Valerian flowers (Valeriana officinalis)
BD 508 Silica-rich horsetail plant (Equisetum arvense)
Casuarina Tea

 Specific Biodynamic measures have now been in use for more than 65
years. The measures include two groups of specifically fermented
substances, which are called preparations.
 The first group includes the sprays; they are numbered as 500 and 501.
 The second group includes 6 different herbal substances; they are
numbered 502-507 and are added in small amounts to manures and
composts. So they are collectively called as compost preparations.
 Although not considered one of the eight main preparations, a ninth
preparation, sometimes referred to as 508 is made by boiling the horse
tail plant and is applied only in excessively wet years to prevent fungal
diseases.

BD Preparations
Compost preparations
BD 502, BD 503, BD 504, BD 506, BD 507
Protection sprays
BD 505 and BD 508
Field sprays (stimulate
and regulate Growth)
BD 500 and BD 501

 It is basically fermented cow dung.
 It is the basis for soil fertility and the renewal of
degraded soils.
 It is buried in Sept/Nov and lifted in Feb/March.
This is the period when the earth is breathing in
and cosmic earth forces are most active (winter).

 Materials
 Cow horns
 Fresh cow dung from a lactating cow. Average
50-150 gm dung/horn (depends on horn size)

 Preparation Procedure :
 Feed cattle with high quality food for two days prior to
collecting dung for BD 500 (good green fodder and less
protein artificial feed).
 Prepare burial pit: 18 inches deep. Pit area should not be
subject to flooding, vigorous root systems or earthworms.
 BD 500 takes the character of the soil it is buried in, so
good quality earth in the burial pit is essential.
 Collect cow horns – remove any paint.
 Collect fresh dung – reasonably firm.
 Fill cow horns with cow dung in October/November
(rather than September due to India's warmer climate).
 Place horns in burial pit, 1 inch apart with base
downwards, surround with 50% compost and soil.

 Cover with soil and bury for 4 to 6 months. If the soil is
not rich enough, add compost to an extent of 50% to
enhance soil quality.
 Keep burial pit soil moist and shaded, at temp of approx.
20 °C and free from weeds and earthworms.
 After 4 months check for dung fermentation. Dig up one
horn. If the green cow dung has turned into a dark,
smooth earthy smelling humus (BD 500) they are ready
to be lifted. Remove the BD 500, use and store. If not,
leave them longer.

Cow Horns
Pit of 16-18 inch deep
covered with soil
Horns buried down
Cow Horn manure Turned in dark humus

 Application Process :
• Apply when the dew is falling (the earth breathes in) i.e.
late afternoon or evening – descending Moon.
• 25 grams BD 500/acre in 15 litres rain/pure warm water
(approx. 15-20 °C).
• Stir for 1 hour alternately clockwise and anti-clockwise
forming a vortex.
• Spray in the late afternoon or evening (just before sunset),
when Moon is descending.
• Spray 4 times a year – during the beginning and after
rains, i.e. Feb-May-Nov-Dec.

 Storage :
• Place in glazed earthenware pots with loose fitting lids.
• Bury in a box surrounded with coir pith, which is kept
moist and can be closed.
• Keep in dark and at temp of not more than 25 °C.
• Use within 1 year.
 Effect :
• Promotes root activity.
• Stimulates/increases soil micro-life.
• Regulates lime and nitrogen.
• Helps to release trace elements.
• Increases germination.

 This is finely ground quartz crystals specially prepared.
 The crystal should be of good quality, shape and clear.
 It is buried in a similar manner to preparation 500 but this
time it is buried during the summer time (buried in
April/May and lifted in September).
 This is the period when the earth is breathing out and the
cosmic light energy is most active (summer)
 Materials
 Cow horn
 Silica quartz crystal – should be clear and well formed.
Average 200-300 gm powdered quartz crystal/horn

 Preparation Procedure :
• Crush silica quartz using a pounding rod, a mortar and
pestle, or hammer. Grind to a fine powder between 2 plate
glasses.
• 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 and soil from March/April
(spring equinox) to September (autumn equinox).

 Application process :
• Apply 501 only after one or two applications of BD 500.
Apply when the dew is rising (the earth breathes out) i.e.
early morning 6-8 a.m. at sunrise during ascending
Moon or Moon opposition Saturn.
• 1 gm silica (enough to cover the small finger nail) in 15
litres of warm quality water.
• Dissolve silica in water, stirring for 1 hour before sunrise,
alternatively clockwise and anti-clockwise forming a
vortex.

• Spray the plants using a low-pressure sprayer (Knapsack
80-100 psi). Spray into the air to fall as a gentle mist over
the plants.
• As a general rule, spray twice during the planting cycle; at
the beginning and again just before harvest.
 Storage
• Store in a glass jar with a loose fitting lid, placed in an
open area exposed to sunlight up to 3 years.

 This is made from yarrow flowers combined with the
bladder of a stag.
Herb or Material : Yarrow flower
Achillea millifolium
Relationship to
Processes of
: Sulphur (S), Potassium (K) and Trace
Elements
Planet : Venus
Planet to Organ : Kidneys
Result : Permits plants to attract trace
elements in extremely dilute
quantities for best nutrition

 Method of preparation :
• Urinary bladder of the stag is used. The stag with
its antlers magnifies the effect of the cosmos.
• Smell of the stag bladder and that of the yarrow
are similar.
• Cosmos activity of the flower is enhanced by the
cosmic activity of the bladder.
• The energies received by a stag from the cosmos
through the antlers center around the bladder.
• Start the preparation making under the planetary
influence of Venus.
• Blow up the bladder with air when the bladder is
fresh.

• Air dry and then collapse.
• At the time of use moisten to make it flexible.
• Cut the bladder, insert a funnel and introduce the flowers
till the bladder is packed.
• Moisten the flowers with plant extract, stitch up the slit
with cotton thread.
 Storage :
• Store in a closed basket to keep away rodents/pests.
 Time of burial to lifting :
• Hang up in march to get cosmic influences
• Bury from September to March in a mud pot with earth
inside

 This is composed of the flowers of the Chamomile
plant combined with cow intestine.
Herb or Material : Chamomile flower
Matricuria chamomilla
Relationship to
Processes of
: Calcium (Ca) and Sulphur (S)
Planet : Mercury
Planet to Organ : Lung glands
Result : Stabilizes Nitrogen (N) within the
compost and increases soil life so as
to stimulate plant growth

 Harvesting
• Pick flowers when petals are horizontal (mid morning-10
am)
• Ideal flower will have two rows of petals around the cone
• Use drying trays to store.
 Storage
• In air tight containers.

 Preparation
• Intenstine can be used by removing undigested matter.
• Tie cut bits at one end with a cotton string.
• Fix funnel to open end and fill with dry flowers.
• Pack not too hard or loose.
• Stack the filled sausages into a bundle, which could be
placed in a mud pot surrounded with fertile soil.
 Time of burial to lifting
• Bury in October and let it remain in the soil till
Feb/March.

Herb or Material : Stinging Nettle
Urtica parviflora
Relationship to
Processes of
: Sulphur (S), Potassium (K),
Calcium (Ca) and Iron (Fe)
Planet : Mars
Planet to Organ : Gall bladder
Result : Stimulates soil health, by providing
plants with the individual nutrition
components needed, ‘enlivens’ the
earth (soil)

• Fill the dried leaves into terracotta pipes or mud pots.
• Press well into the containers.
• Ensure that the lid is on.
• Place the pot under the influence of Mars.
• Moisten dry leaves with juice of leaves before filling if
found dry.
• Harvest leaves in May and September.
• Lift the preparation in September after a year.

 This is prepared by combining bark of the oak tree
with the skull of an animal.
Herb or Material : Oak Bark
Quercus glauca
Relationship to
Processes of
: Calcium (Ca)
Planet : Moon
Planet to Organ : Reproductive
Result : Provides healing forces (or qualities)
to combat harmful plant diseases.

• Crush the oak bark.
• The skull of any domestic animal may be used.
• The link between the skull and bark is their calcium
properties.
• Place the crushed oak bark in the brain cavity of the
skull.
• Place the skull in a watery environment with weeds
and plant muck which would have been damaged by
the local diseases that effect the crop. This helps
buildup the resistance of the plants and follows the
principles of Homeopathy.

• It should be placed in a location where there is exchange
of water such as rain drain/swamp.
• It should be noted that a foul smell is emitted on lifting
the preparation and removing it from the skull.
• This gradually reduces with drying after removal in a
dark dry place.
• Fungus may form so turn over frequently to correct the
same.
 Time of burial to lifting
• The preparation is placed in September and lifted in
March.

 It is made from the dandelion wrapped up in
bovine mesentery.
Herb or Material : Dandelion flower
Taraxicum officinalis
Relationship to
Processes of
: Silicon (Si) or Silicic acid Potassium
(K)
Planet : Jupiter
Planet to Organ : Liver
Result : Stimulates relation between Si and K
so that the Si can attract cosmic
forces to the soil

• Use the mesentery of animal. The flower is very sensitive
to light and hence it is placed in the mesentery, which
itself is sensitive.
• Ensure that extra fat is cut off.
• Do not wash the mesentery.
• Place the dried flowers in the mesentery and wrap into a
parcel and tie with a jute thread.
• Place the parcel in a good mixture of soil and compost into
a pot.
• While lifting the preparation the mesentery may or may
not be seen.
• Place in September and lift in March.

 The juice of valerian flowers is used for this
preparation
Herb or
Material
: Valerian flower Valeriana officinalis
Relationship to
Processes of
: Phosphorus (P)
Planet : Saturn
Planet to Organ : Spleen
Result : Stimulates compost so that
Phosphorus component is properly
used by the soil.

• Place the clipped flowers into a mortar and pestle and
grind into a paste.
• This paste is added to water in the ratio of 1:4 in a bottle
• Ensure storage in a cool place.
• Use 1 gram each (502-506) for every 5 cubic metres of
compost and 10 ml of 507 at 5% in 2-5 litres of water.

 Pits for burial of preparations :
• Size: Depth = 12-18 inches: Length = 2 feet; Breadth = 2
feet
• Location: Fertile well drained soil with no trees in the
vicinity (spreading of roots).
• Maintenance: Weed free. Dig trench around pit to
prevent weeds/roots. Mulch on top with coconut pith.
• Line the pit with bricks on the side but leave the
bottom free and marker should be clearly visible (e.g.
brick lining).
• Maintain pit temperatures between 25-30 °C.
• Maintain moistness by watering/sprinkling over the
pits.
• Water logging should be avoided.

 It is very high in silica; it can be used as a tea to control
fungus in the early season.
 It should be sprayed at full Moon (2-4 days before) and at
Moon opposition Saturn, the same as BD 501.
 Materials
• 1 kg Equisetum arvense (Horsetail herb) or Casuarina
• 10 litres water

Preparation process :
• Make a strong tea/tincture by boiling the Equisetum
arvense or Casuarinain hot water for 2 hrs. Let it sit for 2
days.

 Application process :
• Dilute the tincture: 50 grams tincture to 10 litres of
water
• Spray onto the soil or over the plants in the early
growing stages
• For mild fungus problems BD 508 is often sufficient,
but for more severe problems BD 501 is more effective.

Prep Herb or Material Relationship to
Processes of
Planet Planet to
Organ
Result
502 Yarrow flower
Achillea millifolium
Sulphur (S)
Potassium (K)
Trace Elements
Venus Kidneys Permits plants to attract trace
elements in extremely dilute
quantities for best nutrition
503 Chamomile flower
Matricuria chamomilla
Calcium (Ca)
Sulphur (S)
Mercury Lung glands Stabilizes Nitrogen (N) within
the compost and increases
soil life so as to stimulate
plant growth
504 Stinging Nettle
Urtica parviflora
Sulphur (S)
Potassium (K)
Calcium (Ca)
Iron (Fe)
Mars Gall bladder Stimulates soil health, by
providing plants with the
individual nutrition
components needed,
‘enlivens’ the earth (soil).
505 Oak Bark
Quercus glauca
Calcium (Ca) Moon Reproductive Provides healing forces (or
qualities) to combat harmful
plant diseases.
506 Dandelion flower
Taraxicum officinalis
Silicon (Si) or
Silicic acid
Potassium (K)
Jupiter Liver Stimulates relation between Si
and K so that the Si can
attract cosmic forces to the
soil
507 Valerian flower
Valeriana officinalis
Phosphorus (P) Saturn Spleen Stimulates compost so that
Phosphorus component is
properly used by the soil.

 This calendar is based on the suggestions given by Rudolf
Steiner.
 Biodynamic agriculture works from two poles - the cosmic
and earthly.
 Planets near to earth are carriers of earthly (calcium) forces
and planets further away from earth are carriers of cosmic
(silica) forces.
 The Planting Calendar is about RHYTHMS - Cosmic, solar,
lunar/moon rhythms and Earthly rhythms.

 The Planting Calendar is about RHYTHMS –
Rhythmic is entertained to the movement of
moon and the tides cosmic, solar, lunar and
earthly rhythms.
 The biodynamic farmer works primarily with 6
different moon rhythms that recur every 27 to 29
days.
Full
Moon to
New
Moon
Moon
opposite
Saturn
Ascending-
Descending
Moon
Moon
Nodes
Apogee
Perigee
Moon in
Zodiac
Constellations

 This period is related to :
• Activity above soil surface
• It is warm or hot season of year. The earth breathes out.
• Growth forces and saps flow upward strongly.
 The distance between moon and earth increases day by
day for 13.6 days approx. These days are ascending days.
 In these days we can -
• Sowing seeds in direct seed sowing methods.
• Sowing seeds for raising the seedlings.
• Spraying liquid manures as foliar spray.
• Spraying panchakavyam as foliar spray.
• Spraying BD 501 upto 10.00 am.
• Harvesting leafy vegetables and fruits.

 This period is related to :
• Activity below soil surface
• It is cool or cold season of year. The earth breathes in.
• Lower parts of plant are activated.
 The distance between moon and earth becomes closer for
13.6 days approx. These days are mentioned as descending
days.
 In these days we can -
• Transplanting the seedlings.
• Making Compost and application of compost.
• Ploughing.
• B.D.500 (Horn Manure) and Liquid manure application in
the soil
• Harvesting bulbs and roots.

 The Moon crosses the path of the sun (The Ecliptic).
 The crossing points are called as nodes and these are the
places and times where eclipses can occur.
 The terms ascending node (Rahu) and descending node
(Ketu) indicates whether the moon is ascending and
descending in relation to the sun’s path.
 Do not cultivate soil, sow any seeds, transplant, prune trees
or shrubs.

 When the moon is closest to the Earth is called perigee
and the farthest from the earth is called apogee.
 The moon moves from perigee to apogee and back again
in 27.5 days approx.
 The distances at apogee and perigee are not constant.
 Before and after 6 hours at the particular time we must
avoid seeds owing and transplanting. But on apogee days
we can sow the bulbs like potatoes.

• 48 hours before full moon is suitable time for sowing
seeds and applying liquid manures as foliar spray.
• Panchagavyam can be sprayed in this day at morning
hours.
• BD 501 (Horn Silica) can be sprayed for fungal control.

 Avoid sowing seeds.
 Seeds such as gingelly, black gram, etc. shall be
collect for sowing and preserving purpose.

 It is when Moon and Saturn are standing opposite side to
earth at 180 degree. This position occurs in 27.5 days.
 Agricultural activities that can be carried out are
• Seed sowing and transplanting.
• BD 501 (Horn Silica) spraying at early morning.
• It is auspicious day for all important agricultural activities.

 Demeter (1928) is the international brand for products
from biodynamic agriculture.
 Only strictly controlled and contractually bound partners
are permitted to use the brand.
 They exclude the use of synthetic fertilisers and chemical
plant protection agents in agricultural crop production or
artificial additives during processing.
 Presently, Demeter international has 18 members and 5
guest-members.
 Since 2008, the Biodynamic Association of India hosts and
manages the Demeter Certification Office, Bangalore,
India.

 Requirements for achieving a Demeter certification
• Conversion of the entire farm (incl. all crops, animal husbandry and
fodder, areas producing products for home consumption) to Demeter
standards.
• Ruminants are present in arable enterprises – the requirement is
between 0.2 and 2.0 livestock units/hectare.
• At least one application per year of cow horn maure and horn silica , as
well as the spreading of prepared manures on all areas of the enterprise.
• All organic manures (stable manure, compost etc.) are to be treated with
the compost preparations.
• Seed and planting material must be sourced as Demeter product if
available and if not, then of organic quality. Conventional quality may
be used only with prior written permission of Demeter-International.
Pesticide-treated seeds are strictly forbidden.
• GMO-free declaration for all inputs at risk from genetic modification.
• Clear separation of product flow in all steps of production, transport,
processing, storage and export.

 Every biodynamic farms aims to become self-
sufficient in compost, manures and animal feeds.
 All external inputs are kept to minimum.
 Compost is treated with special herb-based
preparations.
 Crop quality is improved using natural manure
and quartz based preparations.
 Ecological diversity is a goal of landscape
management.
 An astronomical calendar is used to determine
auspicious, planting, cultivating and harvesting
time.

 Biodynamic preparations rapidly benefits soil physical,
chemical and microbial biomass which makes soil as living
system.
 Biodynamic agriculture ensures high soil fertility, which
produces the best and quality food for humans.
 Besides the higher earthworm abundance, enzymatic
activities and microbial population in the soil, higher yield
is also obtained with combination of biodynamic and
organic farming practices.
 Thus, biodynamic agriculture altered the degenerative
effect of intensive farming practices, build and sustain soil
productivity as well as plant, animal and human health.

1. Biodynamic practices influence yield, quality, and economics of
cultivation of chilli (Capsicum annuum L.)
Jayashree P., George A.
Department of Agronomy, College of Agriculture, Kerala Agricultural
University, Vellayani, Thiruvananthapuram 695 522, Kerala.
Journal of Tropical Agriculture 44 (1-2): 68-70, 2006
 Treatments :
 Design : Split Plot Design
 Factor A :
1. Adopting BD calendar
2. Not adopting BD calendar
 Factor B
1. BD 500 + organic manure
2. BD 501 + organic manure
3. BD 500 + BD 501 + organic manure
4. Panchyagavyam + organic manure
5. Organic manure alone
6. RDF

Treatments Fruits /
plant
(no.)
Fruits
weight /
plant (g)
Fruit
length
(cm)
Yield
(Mg/ha)
B:C
ratio
Factor A :
Adopting BD
calendar
46.5 141.6 7.6 7.4 1.37
Not adopting BD
calendar
46.9 144.8 7.8 7.3 1.32
Factor B
BD 500 + organic
manure
43.4 140.5 7.4 7.4 1.2
BD 501 + organic
manure
43.4 139.8 7.35 6.8 1.3
BD 500 + BD 501 +
organic manure
43.6 139.2 7.5 6.8 1.2
Panchyagavyam +
organic manure
45.0 119.8 7.7 6.9 1.2
Organic manure
alone
44.3 141.0 7.6 7.4 1.2
RDF 60.5 179.2 9.0 8.8 1.5

2. Biodynamic farming in vegetables
Ambreen Nabi, Dr. Sumati Narayan, Baseerat Afroza, Faheema Mushtaq,
Shahnaz Mufti, Ummyiah HM and M Mudasir Magray
University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Kashmir, Shalimar,
Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir, India
Journal of Pharmacognosy and Phytochemistry 2017; 6(6): 212-219
Table : Average difference in nutrient levels of biodynamic and organic crops
compared to similar conventional crops
Nurient BD % Difference Organic % difference
Vit. C + 47.6 + 22.7
Iron + 33.9 + 17.2
Calcium + 7.4 + 30.8
Phosphorous + 6.6 + 12.5
Sodium + 20.3 + 19.6
Potassium + 8.9 + 14.1
Manganese + 13.2 + 24.4
Beta-carotene + 14.0 - 0.3

Treatments Potato (t/ha) Carrot
(t/ha)
Cabbage
(t/ha)
French beans
(t/ha)
Biodynamic 38.1 33.8 72.7 26.4
Conventional 34.5 33.1 62.3 21.2
Biodynamic +
Conventional
32.1 32.7 59.4 15.4
Absolute
control
23.5 20.6 40.9 12.2
CD at 0.05 3.83 3.65 2.63 2.03
Table : Yield performances of vegetable under different farming systems

3. Biodynamic studies on environmental friendly biodynamic activity
on the productivity of maize
Sachin Kumar
Department of Environmental Science, Chaushary Sarwan Kumar Himachal
Krishi Vishwavidyalaya, Palampur (H.P.)
M.Sc. Theses (2009)
 Treatments :
 Design : Factorial Randomized Block Design
 Factor A : Sowing date as per biodynamic calendar
1. Non-Panchang – D1 (7th June)
2. Node – D2 (8th June)
3. Panchang – D3 (9th June)
 Factor B : Compost rate
1. No BD compost (Control)
2. BD compost @ 1t / ha

Treatments No. of
cobs/
plant
No. of
grain/
cob
Grain
weight/
cob (g)
Grain
yield
(q/ha)
Straw
yield
(q/ha)
Harvest
Index
(%)
Sowing date
D1- Non-
Panchang
0.55 201.21 48.53 7.17 14.61 0.33
D2- Node 0.42 216.08 44.45 7.92 19.75 0.28
D3- Panchang 0.66 209.09 48.39 13.25 34.84 0.28
CD (P=0.05) 0.06 NS 2.49 0.98 2.76 0.03
Compost rate
C1- No BD
compost
0.41 223.13 41.84 7.09 17.26 0.29
C2- BD compost
@ 1t /ha
0.46 208.38 43.00 7.56 19.66 0.28
C3- BD compost
@ 2t /ha
0.51 212.60 46.50 8.40 21.38 0.29
C4- BD compost
@ 3t /ha
0.64 193.71 48.99 10.99 27.09 0.29
C5- BD compost
@ 5t /ha
0.71 206.16 55.30 13.20 29.95 0.32
CD (P=0.05) 0.07 NS 3.21 1.27 3.57 NS

4. Impact of biodynamic preparations and panchagavya in organically
managed cropping systems comprising legumes on soil biological health
Monika Rana, K.P. Paverkar, N. Pareek, R. Chandra and D.K. Singh
College of Agriculture, G.B. Pant University of Agriculture & Technology, Pantnagar
Journal on Legume Research, 38(2) 2015:219-228
 Treatments :
 Design : Split plot Design
 Factor A : Cropping Systems (CS)
1. Basmati rice - Chickpea
2. Basmati rice – Pea
 Factor B : Organic/Biodynamic nutrient management practices (NM)
1. 8t FYM + 8t Enriched Compost + 2.12t Vermicompost + 2.65q Neemcake
2. BD 500, BD 501, Cow pit pat
3. T1 + Panchagavya
4. T1 + T2
5. T4 + Panchagavya
6. Control

Treatments Yield (kg /ha) Microbial biomass carbon
(µg / g soil)
C1 C2 C1 C2
T1 1441 5062 276.73 279.65
T2 1163 4610 271.33 269.33
T3 1228 5030 276.93 280.41
T4 1212 4915 277.65 281.33
T5 1458 5250 278.33 285.49
T6 1080 3911 206.73 206.73
Average 1263.67 4796.33 264.62 267.16
CD ≤ 0.05 131 433.1 NS 25.01
Table: Yield and soil microbial biomass carbon influenced by different
treatments

5. Application of biodynamic preparations, bio control agent and
botanicals for organic management of virus and leaf spots on
blackgram (Vigna mungo L. Hepper)
Amit Trivedi, Sandeep K. Sharma, T. Hussain, S.K. Sharma and P.K. Gupta
Maharana Pratap University of Agriculture & Technology, Udaipur
(Rajasthan)
Academia Journal of Agriculture Research, 1(4) 2013:060-064
 Treatments :
1. Foliar spray of BD 501 (1g / 13 L)
2. Foliar spray of neem oil (2ml /L)
3. Foliar spray of mustard oil (2ml /L)
4. Foliar spray of Ampelomyces quisqualis (2.5 g /L)
5. Foliar spray of Azadirachtin (5ml /L)
 Design : Randomized Block Design
 Replications : 4

Treatments Viral (%) PDI Pods /
plant
Yield (q
/ha)
B:C ratio
BD 501 9.87 31.98 54.03 9.5 2.24
Neem oil 10.12 32.81 52.54 8.7 1.82
Mustard oil 9.78 46.37 51.66 8.3 1.93
Ampelomyces
quisqualis
9.99 46.94 49.86 8.3 1.93
Azadirachtin 9.84 48.03 48.61 7.9 1.68
Control 13.82 52.48 44.81 7.5 1.55
CD 2.02 3.72 3.43 0.66 0.22
Table: Viral (%), PDI, pods/ plant, yield and B:C ratio as influenced by
different treatments

 Biodynamic farming is neither easily learned nor
it cant be learnt from textbook. It can be learned
by sensing and experiencing it.
 Biodynamic farming is more than a body of
information.
 Biodynamic farming needs spiritual care take and
direct experience of rhythms of season, along with
spiritual, astronomical and seasonal knowledge.
 It helps in rejuvenating soil and ensure
sustainability of crop production and quality.
 It is scientifically sound approach to sustainable
management of plant systems.

 Bio-Dynamic Association of India (BDAI)
 Corrin, George. 1960. Composting and the Bio-Dynamic Preparations.
Bio-Dynamic AgriculturalAssociation, London. Pg 32.
 Dengel L. Biodynamic Farming: a complex farming approach with
superior results, 2007. www.auroville.com.
 P. Jayasree and A. George. Do biodynamic practices influence yield,
quality, and economics of cultivation of chilli?. (Capsicum annum L.).
Journal of Tropical Agriculture 44 (1-2) : 68-70, 2006
 Scilthuis W. Biodynamic agriculture. S and H Home Ag library.
Biodynamic agriculture, 2000.
 Selvaraj, N., B.Anita, B.Anusha and M.Guru Saraswathi. 2006. Organic
Horticulture creating a more sustainable farming. Horticultural
Research Station, Udhagamandalam.
 Steiner R. Spiritual foundations for the renewal of agriculture: A course
of lectures. Biodynamic Farming and Gardening Association, 1993, 310.
 www.tnau.agritech.portal

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