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Biodynamic preparations: Short-term effects on crops, soils, and weed populations

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  30 October 2009

Lynne Carpenter-Boggs ,
John P. Reganold  and
Ann C. Kennedy
Lynne Carpenter-Boggs*
Affiliation:
Microbiologist, USDA-ARS North Central Soil Conservation Research Laboratory, 803 Iowa Avenue, Morris, MN 56267;
John P. Reganold
Affiliation:
Professor, Dept. of Crop and Soil Sciences, 201 Johnson Hall, Washington State University, Pullman, WA 99164-6420;
Ann C. Kennedy
Affiliation:
Microbiologist, USDA-ARS Land Management and Water Conservation Research Unit, P.O. Box 64621, 215 Johnson Hall, Washington State University, Pullman, WA 99164-6421.
*
Corresponding author is L. Carpenter-Boggs ([email protected]).
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Abstract

Biodynamic agriculture is an organic farming system that utilizes fermented herbal and mineral preparations as compost additives and field sprays. This study was conducted to determine whether biodynamic preparations affect lentil and wheat growth and yield, soil fertility, or weed populations in the short run. Each of four nutrient treatments, biodynamically prepared compost, non-biodynamic compost, mineral NPK fertilizer, and no fertilizer, were tested with and without biodynamic field sprays. Crop yield, crop quality, and soil fertility were similar in plots treated with mineral NPK fertilizers, biodynamic compost, or non-biodynamic compost. Use of compost raised soil pH from 6.0 without compost to 6.5 with compost. Compost application reduced the broadleaf weed population by 29% and reduced the grass weed population by 78%. Biodynamic sprays altered soil and grain N chemistry, but the effects are of unknown biological significance. Use of the biodynamic field sprays correlated with higher yield of lentil per unit plant biomass, lower grain C and crude protein contents, greater content in soft white spring wheat, and greater content in soil. In general, soils and crops treated with biodynamic preparations showed few differences from those not treated. Application of composts with or without the preparations produced similar crop yields with lower weed pressure, compared with equal nutrients supplied by mineral fertilizer, but any additional short-term benefits from biodynamic preparations remain questionable.

Keywords

biodynamic farmingbiological farmingcompostorganic farming
Type
Articles
Information
American Journal of Alternative Agriculture , Volume 15 , Issue 3 , September 2000 , pp. 110 - 118
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2000

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