WELCOME

ROLE OF BIODYNAMIC IN CROP PRODUCTION

Speaker:
GOHIL VIJAY B.
Reg. No.: 04-AGRPH-01846-2018
Ph.D. (Agri.) Agronomy

Major Guide: Minor Guide:

Dr. D. M. PATEL Dr. J. R. JAT
Associate Professor, Associate Research Scientist,
Dept. of Agronomy, Agroforestry Research Station,
CPCA, SDAU, Sardarkrushinagar SDAU, Sardarkrushinagar
 CONTENTS

Introduction

History of Biodynamic Agriculture

Principles of Biodynamic Agriculture

Biodynamic Preparations

Biodynamic Calendar and Certification

Review of Literature

Conclusion
3
 BIODYNAMIC AGRICULTURE

• Biodynamics 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.
• 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 two Greek words, bios (life) and dynamos (energy)
• The name “Biodynamic” refers to a working with the energies which create and
maintain life.

4
 INTRODUCTION

• Agriculture is the base of human life. We need to grow food to eat each
day and to sustain our bodies, our minds, our souls and our spirit.
Throughout human history one can see that our music, our arts, our
songs, our crafts and tools have all been born out of our work with the
land.
• In the last hundred years, we are losing our connection to our source of
life.
• The green revolution in the 1960’s also introduced hybrid seeds which
are unable to produce their own seeds once grown, thereby creating a
dependency of the farmer on hybrid seed companies which need higher
doses of pesticides and fertilizers.
Continue… 5
5
• The recent introduction of genetically modified (GM)
seeds is latest threat to the balance and well being not
only of the earth, but also of living ones.
• There are great economic interests tied to GM seeds
and unfortunately this creates irresistible pressure on
developing countries to accept and legalize the use of
these seeds.
• Today we are painfully aware of the effects of chemical
farming on our health, farmers economy, vitality of the
soil and the well being of all plants and animals.
• In many places, the soil is getting hard and unable to
renew itself so that more and more chemical fertilizers
are needed to grow crops which creating huge debts for
the farmers.

Continue… 6
• Pests and diseases resistant to chemical pesticides are appearing as unknown
diseases and disorders are affecting animals and human beings. We are facing a
global disaster, of which many of us are unaware.
• The nature of organic has changed from farming concern about environmental and
social implications to one focused on globalization.
• Biodynamics is a holistic, ecological and ethical approach to farming, gardening,
food and nutrition.
• Biodynamic agriculture as one of the organic methods that could provide
ecological, economical and physical sustainability (Uzunova and Atanasov, 2017).

Continue… 7 7
• Biodynamic method at first, they call it as biological-dynamic and it leading to
“Biodynamic”. The use of the word “method” indicates that certain principles are
involved, in which their practical application secure a healthy soil and healthy
plants which in turn produce healthful food for man and healthy feed for animals.
• The ideal of the biodynamic is the cycle management in which the farmer holds
as many animals (number and species) as he can feed with his land. Their dung
(and its diversity) ensures high soil fertility, which produces the best food for
humans.
• With the help of biodynamic preparations, the producer arranges natural processes.
Thus, the farm becomes a unique organism (a living system) in which each organ
(component) needs the other like man, plant, animal and soil work together.
88
 HISTORY OF BIODYNAMIC AGRICULTURE

• The biodynamic method came into practice

based on the suggestions given by Dr. Rudolf
Steiner in a series of lectures called the
Agriculture Course
• Steiner has been rated as only intellectual of
the twentieth century who has combined the
spiritual and the scientific.
• Steiner’s answer to the farmers call for help
during the beginning of chemical farming in
Europe (1920’s) when they noticed the rapid
degeneration of the soil, the quality of the
produce and seed viability by which
biodynamic agriculture born. Dr. Rudolf Steiner
9
Continue… 9
• The practice and philosophy of the biodynamic method are based on the worldview of
anthroposophy.
• Anthroposophy is a modern path of knowledge and a spiritual science, which enables
the human being to gain a deeper understanding of their own true nature and of the
world.
• The heart of anthroposophy is the recognition that the human being (manushya) is a
spiritual being (purusha).
• Thus, biodynamic agriculture was the first ecological farming system to develop as a
grassroots alternate to chemical agriculture.
• As of 2019, biodynamic techniques were used on 202,045 hectares in 55 countries
(Demeter Monitor).

10
PRINCIPLES OF BIODYNAMIC AGRICULTURE
Farm as a living system

Seed & biodynamic plant cultivation

Biodynamics generates on-farm fertility

Biodynamic sprays enhance soil and plant health
Working in rhythm with earth and cosmos cycles

Biodynamics approaches pests and diseases holistically

Biodynamics brings plants and animals together

Biodynamic nutrition
New economic and social design
1111
 ZODIAC PRINCIPLES OF BIODYNAMICS

COSMIC FORCES

ENERGIES FROM COW

ENERGIES FROM PLANTS

12
 BIODYNAMIC PREPARATIONS

• Specific biodynamic measures have been use for more than 65 years. These measures
include two groups of specifically fermented substances, which are called preparations.
• Use of biodynamic preparations is a distinguish feature of biodynamic farming. They
consist of mineral, plant or animal manure extract usually fermented and applied in
small proportions to compost, manures, soil or directly onto plants after dilution and
stirring procedures called dynamization.
• The first group includes 6 different herbal substances numbered BD 502-507 and are
added in small amounts to manures and composts. So, they are collectively called as
compost preparations.
• The second group includes the sprays numbered as BD 500 and 501. Sometimes 508
which is made by boiling the horse tail plant and is applied only in excessively wet
years to prevent fungal diseases.

13
13
 Biodynamic preparations

Source : Biodynamic association of India 14

 BD 500 COW HORN MANURE
• BD 500 is basically fermented cow
dung. This is fundamental biodynamic
preparation for field spray.
• It is the basis for soil fertility and it will
improve status of degraded soils. Corn horn Pit preparation

• It is buried in Sep/Nov and lifted in

Feb/March. This is the period when
earth is breathing in and cosmic earth
forces are most active (winter).
Materials Horns after six months Burying of corn horn

Cow horns
Fresh cow dung from a lactating cow.
Average 50-150 g dung/horn (depends
on horn size). 15
BD 500 cow horn manure
 Preparation of BD 500

Collect clean Fill with fresh Bury at 30 cm depth in

cow horn cow dung soil in root free zone in
descending period of
moon during Oct-Nov

Store properly Horns are taken out Inoculate for

decomposed compost after six months in six months in
at cool and dry place descending period of buried
in earthen pot moon during Mar-Apr condition
Note : Horn should be buried open end down 16
16
 Application of BD 500

• Apply BD 500 when the dew is falling (the

earth breathes in) i.e. late afternoon or
evening – descending moon.
• 25 g BD 500/acre in 15 litres pure warm
water (15-20°C).
• Stir for one hour alternately clockwise and
anti-clockwise forming a vortex.
• Spray four times a year during the beginning
and after rains, i.e. February, May, November
& December.

17
Table 1: On farm generation of quality inputs for organic production of
horticultural crops in North Indian conditions

Isolation of microbes from BD 500

S.no Type of microbes Microbial population (cfu/g)
1. Actinomycetes 22.6 x 106
2. Pseudomonas 0.7 x 106
3. P- solubilizing microbes 38.6 x 105
4. Azotobacter 33.2 x 105
5. Azospirillum 53.7 x 105
6. Rhizobium 6.0 x 107

CSIH, Lucknow 18 Ram (2017) 18

 BD 501 Cow horn silica
• BD 501 is made in ascending period of moon by filling
the horns with mealy silica powder
• This is finely ground quartz crystals specially prepared
and the crystal should be of good quality, shape and
clear.
• It is buried in a similar manner to preparation BD 500
but this time it is buried during the summer time Quartz crystals
(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.
Materials
Cow horn
Silica quartz crystal should be clear and well formed.
Filling of silica into horns
Average 200-300 g powdered quartz crystal/horn. 19
 Preparation of BD 501

Burry following
Crush and grind Fill with process of BD 500 but
Collect clean silica quartz into silica powder it is buried during
cow horn fine powder and paste summer time
make it as paste (Apr-May)

Take out the light Horns are take out after six
Inoculate it for six
yellowish silica powder months in ascending period
months
and stored it of moon during Oct-Nov

20
 Application of BD 501

• Apply BD 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 g silica in 15 litres of warm quality water and dissolve silica
in water, stirring it for one hour before sunrise, alternatively
clockwise and anti-clockwise forming a vortex.
• Spray the plants using a low-pressure knapsack sprayer. 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.

21
 BD 502 Yarrow (Achillea millefolium)
• This is made from yarrow flowers
combined with the bladder of a stag.
Urinary bladder of the stag is used with
its antlers magnifies the effect of cosmos.
• Smell of the stag bladder and the yarrow
are similar and its cosmos activity of the
flower is enhanced by the cosmic activity
of the bladder.
• It provides sulphur, potash and
micronutrients.
• It gives absorbing vitality to manure which
helps to attract the other substances needed
and to incorporate them into an organic
process. Stag 22
Continue… 22
• Start the preparation making under the planetary
influence of Venus.
• Blow up the bladder with air, when the bladder is
fresh and air dry then collapse it.
• 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. Store in a closed basket
to keep away rodents/pests.
• Hang up in march to get cosmic influences. Bury
from September to March in a mud pot with
earth inside.
• In result, it permits plants to attract trace elements
Stags bladder
in extremely dilute quantities for best nutrition.
23
 BD 503 Chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla)

• BD 503 is composed of the Chamomile plant flowers combined

with cow intestine.
• It provides sulphur, potash, calcium and nitrogen.
• It is linked with planet Mercury.
Harvesting
Pick flowers when petals are horizontal (morning 10 a.m.)
Ideal flower will have two rows of petals around the cone.
Harvest into a tray as the flowers if left together produce heat.
Use drying trays.
Store in airtight container.
24
24
 Preparation of BD 503
The intestine of a cow or bull can be used

Do not wash intestine

Cut 15 cm bits at end

Run finger along intestine like milking a cow to squeeze out

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

Bury in October and let it remain in the soil till Feb/March 25

25
 BD 504 Himalayan stinging nettle
(Urtica parviflora)

• Fill the dried leaves of stinging nettle into terracotta pipes or

mud pots
• Press well into the containers and ensure that the lid is placed.
• Place the pot under the influence of Mars.
• Moisten dry leaves with juice of leaves before filling.
• Harvest leaves in May and September.
• Lift the preparation in September after a year.
• It stimulates soil health by providing plants with the individual
nutrition components needed by ‘enlivens’ the earth (soil).
• BD 504 contains iron and traces of sulphur, potash and calcium.

26
 BD 505 Himalayan oak bark (Quercus glauca)

• This is prepared by combining bark of the oak tree with the skull of
an animal.
• It linked to the Moon.
• Crushed oak bark and the skull of any domestic animal used.
• The link between the skull and bark is their calcium properties.
• Calcium formation and the skull formation that takes place first in
case of the development of the embryo.
• Place the crushed oak bark in the brain cavity of the skull. Block
the opening with a well shaped bone piece.
• 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.
27 Continue…
• This helps to build up the resistance to diseases in plants
which follows the principles of homeopathy.
• It should be placed in a location where there is exchange
of water such as rain drain.
• 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 on it.
• Turn over frequently to correct the same.
• The preparation is placed in September and lifted in
March.
• It provides healing forces to combat harmful plant
diseases.
28
 BD 506 Dandelion (Taraxicum officinalis)
• It contain potash and silica forces and linked to the planet Jupiter.
• It is made from the dandelion wrapped up in a bovine mesentery.
• Use the mesentery of the cow. The flower is very sensitive to light
and hence it is placed in the mesentery of a cow, which itself is
sensitive.
• Ensure that extra fat is cut off and 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.
• Place in September and lift in March.
• It stimulates relation between Si and K, so that the Si can attract
cosmic forces to the soil.

29
 BD 507 Valerian (Valeriana officinalis)

• The juice of valerian flowers is used for BD 507 preparation.

• It linked to the planet Saturn.
• 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.
• Size of pit is at the depth of 12-18 inches with length and breadth of 2
feet in fertile well drained soil.
• Line the pit with bricks on the side but leave the bottom free.
• Maintain pit temperatures between 25-30oC.
• Maintain moistness by watering/sprinkling over the pits.
• Water logging should be avoided.
• Choose a moist, cool, dark location with good air circulation for storage.
• Turn the preparations frequently and maintain moisture.
30
 BD 508 (Equisetum arvense)

• It can be used as a tea to control fungus in the early

season. It is very high in silica.
• It should be sprayed at full moon (2-4 days before) and at
Moon opposition Saturn, the same as BD 501.
• 1 kg Equisetum arvense (Horsetail herb) or Casuarina.
• Make a strong tea/tincture by boiling the Equisetum
arvense in hot water for 2 hrs. Let it sit for 2 days.
• Dilute 50 ml tincture in 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.
31
 Cow pat pit

• Cow Pat Pit (CPP) is a specialized type of compost refers to cow manure mixed with
crushed egg shell and basalt dust, then put into a 12 inch deep pit lined with bricks. The
dung is fermented together with the preparation 502-507 for a period of three to four
months. It is applied in the evenings during the cooler months.
• It is a biodynamic field preparation and is also called as soil shampoo.
• CPP is a soil conditioner and it enhances germination, promotes rooting in cutting and
grafts, improves soil texture, provides resistant power to plants against pests and
diseases.
• CPP is used to improve soil fertility before sowing and also as seed treatment and foliar
application.
• In a country such as India where the cow is highly venerated and the fertility quality of
the cow dung is recognised, so that the Indian farmer has taken hold of the concept of
CPP with great enthusiasm.
32
 Preparation of CPP
• Dig a pit 90 cm x 60 cm x 30 cm deep in well-shaded
and aerated zone with good drainage.
• Line the side of the pit with used bricks. Ensure that
the bricks are wet prior to placing the dung.
• The bricks are a good medium for the wall of pits in
that they absorb moisture and can be watered to keep
the dung from drying out. The bottom is left as bare
earth.
• The pits are usually situated within a shade house
which is usually roofed with thatch.
• This will keep the pits cool during the hot months and
stop the dung from drying out and will be shelter
against the rain during monsoons. Make sure the shade
house is high enough to work under.
Continue… 33
• Collect 60 kg of cow dung from lactating cows preferably
fed on biodynamically grown fodder.
• It is mixed with 200 g of powdered egg shell and 200 g of
powdered basalt dust. Sprinkle the basalt rock or bore
well soil and crushed egg shells over the cow dung.
• Knead (mix) for 10 - 30 minutes. The kneading of the
dung is important to aerate it. You will notice the
consistency will change. Some farmers mix for as long as
1 hour.
• Place the dung mixture into the pit. When filling the pits
make sure that they are not filled more than a brick and a
half deep (12 cm).
• The dung should not be tightly packed. Smooth off the
top of the dung.
Continue…
34
• Make six holes 3-4 cm deep after gently patting the dung
into the pit.
• Insert three sets of preparation BD 502-506 individually
into the holes by placing each into a handful of compost
and then close the holes with some compost.
• Stir BD 507 at 10 ml in 2-3 L of clean water for 10
minutes.
• Add half of the stirred BD 507 into the remaining hole,
then sprinkle the balance evenly over the entire pit and
place a wet jute sack over the pit.
• Once a month gently turn/aerate with a garden fork, leaving
the surface smooth and covered on completion to avoid
excessive drying.
• Compost get ready in three to five months. 60 kgs of cow
dung gives about 30-35 kg of CPP after fermentation.
35
 Application of CPP

• Ground spray of CPP at 1kg per acre in 40 litres of water. Soak overnight prior to
application, stir for 10 minutes, if necessary strain through a cotton cloth and
spray as required. Stir with preparation BD 500 at 25 g for 1 kg CPP. Add during
the last 15 minutes of stirring.
• Foliar spray - 5 kg/acre in 40 litres of water from the beginning of crop to up to
fruit/pod formation stage with an interval of 7 -15 days. Best sprayed in the
evenings. Apply every 14 days before and after flowering.
• Dissolve 1 kg of CPP manure in water, make slurry with clay and dip the
seedlings for five minutes and transplant.
• It can be applied as soil inoculant, liquid manure tonic, pruning paste balm,
inoculate compost and seed treatment.

36
 Biodynamic compost

• Biodynamic compost is a fundamental component of the biodynamic method. It

serves as a way to recycle animal manures and organic wastes and enhance soil
health.
• Biodynamic compost is unique because it is made with BD preparation 502-507.
• Making quality compost is very important as a way to maintain humus in the soil.
• Mixture of protein rich and carbon rich raw material at 60% protein and 40%
carbonaceous.
• Biodynamic compost is made in traditional manner with BD preparations 502 –
506 are placed in the pile of compost.
• BD 507 is applied to the outside layer of the compost windrow by spraying.

Continue…
37
 Steps in biodynamic composting

Base layer Carbon layer Cow slurry application Protein layer

composted mount Layering mount Alternate layering Lime application 38

When the compost heap is completed,
• Make five deep holes in the side of the compost heap and put 1 g each of the BD 502 -
506 preparations as 1 BD/hole
• Make a hole on the top of the heap and stir 10 ml of BD 507 in 1 litre of water for 10
minutes and pour half of it into the hole on top
• Sprinkle the remaining half BD 507 evenly round the heap in a clockwise direction
Application
• For vegetables - 10 t/acre.
• For paddy, fruit trees, coconuts, grapes and citrus - 5 to 10 t/acre.
• For tea / coffee gardens - 3 to 5 t/acre.
• Tree Paste
Mix equal parts of sand, fine clay, fresh cow dung and CPP.
Dissolve this with equisetum tea and preparation BD 500.
Stir for 10 minutes until such a consistency is achieved and paint on the barks 39
 LIQUID MANURES
• A large number of different liquid manures can be made on the farm with locally
available plant materials which are fermented with BD preparation 502-507. Most liquid
manures take from 8 to 12 weeks to get ready.

40
 Preparation of liquid manures
Take a large earthen pot or plastic drum of 200 litre

Fill the drum ¾ with the plant material and cover with water

Introduce the BD preparations 502-506 by placing 1 g of each of the BD

preparation separately in a small handful of straw or coconut fibre pressed into
the shape of a bird’s nest.

The BD preparation is placed inside the nest and squeezed closed

The BD 507 is stirred in a small amount of water and poured into the drum.

Place 2-3 bricks on the surface of the foliage to keep the leaves below the water
level. Cover with a gunny sack to stop evaporation. 41
41
 Preparation of liquid manures

1 2 3 4 5

42
 BIODYNAMIC CALENDAR
• This calendar is based on the suggestions given by
Rudolf Steiner. But one can conduct experiments
with different rhythms, different locations and
different cycles of the seasons based on our
location.
• Planets near to earth are carriers of earthly
(calcium) forces and planets further away from
earth are carriers of cosmic (silica) forces.
Earthly forces (calcium): Moon, Mercury and Venus
Cosmic forces (silica): Mars, Jupiter and Saturn.

Continue… 43
• The planting calendar is about rhythms - cosmic, solar, lunar rhythms and earthly
rhythms. It is an aid to our conscious and purposeful participation in these rhythms.
• These are rhythms that sustain all life on earth. Biodynamic farmers strive to bring life
back into the soil, so that the food produced from this living soil has increased life force,
vitality, nutrition and enhancing the quality of human life.
• This can be accomplished when the rhythms of our farming activities are aligned with
the natural cosmic and earth rhythms.
• The planting calendar indicates the important days for farming activities during these 6
different rhythmic cycles each month.

44
44
 New Moon-Full Moon

• When the moon is close to the sun and almost invisible. As the moon moves away from
the sun we see it more clearly.
• Just over 7 days later it reaches first quarter, followed by full moon which is about 12
times as bright. After approximately 29.5 days the rhythm begins again.
• The element most affected by the moon energies is water element (e.g., sap in plants).
• 48 hours before full Moon is suitable time for sowing seeds and applying liquid
manures including CPP as foliar spray.
• Avoid sowing seeds in New Moon day.

45
 Moon Opposite Saturn

• The Moon and Saturn are on opposite sides of the earth and their
respective forces are raying into the earth from opposite
directions.
• It’s simply when Moon and Saturn are standing opposite side to
earth at 1800.
• The Moon forces bring in the calcium processes (earthly), while
the Saturn forces bring in the silica processes (cosmic).
• The balancing effect of these two influences streaming into the
earth produces very strong plants from seed sown at this time.
• This position occurs in 27.5 days. Seed sowing, transplanting and
BD 501 (horn silica) spraying at early morning are recommended.
It is auspicious day for all important agricultural activities.

46
 Ascending and Descending Moon

• When the Moon moving in an arc from east to west and we see these arcs getting
higher in the sky every day, the Moon is ascending. The distance between Moon
and Earth increases day by day for 13.6 days approximately.
• Sowing seeds in direct seed sowing methods or raising the seedlings, spraying
liquid manures as foliar spray, spraying BD 501 (horn silica) up to 10.00 a.m.,
harvesting leafy vegetables, fruits and transplanting the seedlings.
• When we see the arc of the Moon path getting lower every day the Moon
is descending. The distance between Moon and Earth decrease day by day for
13.6 days approximately.
• Making compost, compost application to the field, ploughing, BD 500 (horn
manure) + CPP, liquid manure application in the soil, harvesting bulbs and roots
can be done.

47
 Moon nodes
• As it ascends and descends, the Moon crosses the
path of the Sun (the ecliptic). The crossing points are
called nodes and are the only places and times where
eclipses can occur.
• The ascending or north node is where the Moon
crosses from south of the ecliptic to north of the
ecliptic.
• The descending or south node is where it crosses
from north of the ecliptic to south of the ecliptic.
• The Moon makes one complete nodal cycle every
27.2 days, so there is a node approximately every 14
days, which is two nodes every month.
• Biodynamic farmers avoid important agricultural
activities to due to its negative influence works into
the soil.
48
 Apogee and perigee

• 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
approximately. There is one perigee and one apogee every month.
• Apogee and perigee times bring a stress period and seed sowing should be
avoided 12 hours on either side of these times except potatoes.

49
 Moon in zodiac constellations

• The zodiac is a belt of fixed stars that are grouping called as constellations. This
belt of stars lies behind the ecliptic path of the sun. All the planets and the Moon,
move in front of the zodiac constellations.
• We are concerned with the Moon, which passes quickly in front of all 12 zodiac
constellations in just 27.3 days.
• The influences of the constellations are passed on reflected by the Moon, through
the four classical elements of nature - warmth/fire, light/air, water and earth.
• When the Moon is in earth sign are suitable for root development. When the
Moon is in air sign are suitable for flower development. When the Moon is in
water sign are suitable for cultivating leafy plants. When the Moon is in fire sign
are suitable for cultivating fruits , pulses, paddy, groundnut, cotton, etc.

50
 CERTIFICATION

• Demeter 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 but also require very
specific measures to strengthen the life processes in soil and foodstuffs.
• Demeter is the only ecological association that has built up a network of individual
certification organisations worldwide. Presently, Demeter international has 18 members
and 5 guest-members from Europe, America, Africa and New Zealand.
• Since 2008, the Biodynamic Association of India hosts and manages the Demeter
certification office, India.
• Demeter stands for top quality products produced by the biodynamic method. Globally, it
ranks as a top brand for the food sector. Europe and the United States have the most loyal
and aware.
51
 REVIEW OF
LITERATURE
Table 2: Soil quality performance of biodynamic and conventional farms in
New Zealand

Soil Property All BD Farms All Conv. Farms

Bulk Density (Mg/m3) 1.07 1.15*
Topsoil thickness (cm) 22.8* 20.6
(includes surface and subsurface horizons)

C (%) 4.84* 4.27

Mineralizable nitrogen (mg/kg) 140.0* 105.9
Ratio of mineralizable N to C (mg min N/g C) 2.99* 2.59
Cation exchange capacity (cmol/kg) 21.5* 19.6
Total N (mg/kg) 4840* 4260

*indicates a significantly higher value (P < 0.01)

New Zealand 53 Reganold et al. (1993) 53

Table 3: Effect of biodynamic treatment on grain yield, grain per biomass and
crude protein in grain of lentil

Grain yield per

Grain yield Crude protein in
Treatments unit biomass
(kg/ha) grain (g/kg)
(kg/kg)
Biodynamic compost 2.030 0.63 260
Non biodynamic compost 1.930 0.62 259
Mineral NPK 1.740 0.60 256

Biodynamic Spray
Yes 1.960 0.65 261
No 1.860 0.58 257

Washington 54 Boggs et al. (1995)

54
Table 4: Effect of biodynamic preparations on compost development

Final compost samples after 8 weeks development

Parameter BD Control
Dehydrogenase : CO2 (µg TPF /ml CO2) 165 125
Total C (%) 33.2 35.4
C : N ratio 25.6 30.1
Nitrate (mg/kg) 699* 417
Ammonium (mg/kg) 342 319
Available P (mg/kg) 349 348
Available K (mg/kg) 7550 6802
CEC (meq/100 g) 56.3 52.4

Washington (USA) Boggs et al. (2000)

55
Fig. 1: Studies on environment friendly biodynamic activity on the
productivity of maize and soybean intercropping
Effect of treatments on emergence rate of maize

Date of sowing: Non-Panchang- 7th June, Node- 8th June and Pachang- 9th June
Kumar (2009) 56
Palampur (HP) 56 Continue…
Table 5: Effect of dates of sowing and compost level on the grain yield, straw
yield and harvest index of maize

Treatments Grain yield (q/ha) Straw yield (q/ha) Harvest Index

D1 (Non-Panchang) 7.17 14.61 0.33

D2 (Node) 7.92 19.75 0.28
D3 (Panchang) 13.25 34.84 0.28
CD(P=0.05) 0.98 2.76 0.03

C1 (Control) 7.09 17.26 0.29

C2 (BD Compost@ 1t/ha) 7.56 19.66 0.28
C3 (BD Compost@ 2t/ha) 8.40 21.28 0.29
C4 (BD Compost@ 3t/ha) 10.99 27.09 0.29
C5(BD Compost@ 5t/ha) 13.20 29.95 0.32
CD(P=0.05) 1.27 3.57 NS

Palampur (HP) 57 Kumar (2009) 57

Table 6: Impact of biodynamic compost on protein, carbohydrates and total
chlorophyll of soybean on 30th, 45th, 60th and 75th day after treatment
Protein (mg/g) Carbohydrate (mg/g) Total chlorophyll (mg/g)
Treatments
30th Day 45th Day 60th Day 75th Day 30th Day 45th Day 60th Day 75th Day 30th Day 45th Day 60th Day 75th Day
T0 0.0413 0.0513 0.0630 0.0657 0.0151 0.0237 0.0273 0.0290 0.0006 0.0012 0.0016 0.0018
T1 0.0977 0.1070 0.1170 0.1257 0.0290 0.0367 0.0447 0.0467 0.0012 0.0027 0.0037 0.0042
T2 0.0967 0.1020 0.1127 0.1203 0.0293 0.0393 0.0423 0.0457 0.0011 0.0024 0.0037 0.0039
T3 0.0947 0.0953 0.1097 0.1117 0.0310 0.0353 0.0423 0.0443 0.0010 0.0023 0.0035 0.0038
T4 0.0793 0.0783 0.0943 0.1103 0.0260 0.0340 0.0393 0.0413 0.0010 0.0022 0.0034 0.0035
T5 0.0803 0.0843 0.0886 0.0930 0.0230 0.0277 0.0323 0.0363 0.0009 0.0022 0.0034 0.0035
T6 0.0687 0.0767 0.0750 0.0840 0.0230 0.0283 0.0300 0.0343 0.0009 0.0019 0.0030 0.0032
S.Em 0.0031 0.0010 0.0002
CD (0.05) 0.0066** 0.0021** 0.0004**

Treatment Detail
T0 : Control - Red loamy soil (7 kg) T4 : 5.0 kg Red loamy soil + 2.0 kg BD compost
T1 : 3.5 kg Red loamy soil + 3.5 kg BD compost T5 : 5.5 kg Red loamy soil + 1.5 kg BD compost
T2 : 4.0 kg Red loamy soil + 3.0 kg BD compost T6 : 6.0 kg Red loamy soil + 1.0 kg BD compost
T3 : 4.5 kg Red loamy soil + 2.5 kg BD compost

Tamilnadu 58 Bindhu et al. (2013)

58
Table 7: Effect of organic, biodynamic and conventional farming systems in
selected soil parameters of various crops

Soil properties
Farming system Conductivity Organic C Total N % AM
pH
(mS/cm3 ) (mg/100 g soil) (% w/w) colonization

Conventional 5.86a 0.1a 17a 0.13a 14.6a

Organic 7.29a 0.36a 66b 0.19ab 29ab
Biodynamic 6.45a 0.29a 67b 0.22b 31b

*Values in the same column followed by different letters are significantly different at p≤ 0.05

59
Athens (Greece) Angelopoulou et al. (2013)
Table 8: Effect of farming system on fruit characteristic in apple cultivation

Fruit characteristics
Farming System
Weight (g) Diameter (mm) Flesh firmness (lb)

Conventional 189.31a 72.44a 28.91a

Organic 212.90a 76.27a 30.99ab

Biodynamic 310.42b 86.97b 31.81b

*Values in the same column followed by different letters are significantly different at p≤ 0.05

Athens (Greece) Angelopoulou et al. (2013)

60
Table 9: Utilization of local alternate material in cow horn manure (BD 500)
preparation: A case study on biodynamic vegetable cultivation

Treatments Shoot length Root length No. of Total stalk yield Dry matter Total bulb
(cm) (cm) bulbs/plant (kg/ha) Production yield (t/ha)
(g/bulb)
T1 25.0 6.3 7 11.7 2.05 12.17
T2 24.5 7.6 6 12.5 2.31 12.82
T3 26.0 7.5 6 10.8 1.99 12.25
T4 25.0 6.6 7 12.3 2.19 12.0

Crop - Onion

T1- FYM 15 kg + urea 250 kg + super phosphate 250 kg (Basal) and Urea 1 kg + potash 0.5 kg (Top
dressing)/ha
T2- Biodynamic compost – 6.6 t/ha(Basal and top dressing)
T3 - FYM and vermicompost 3.3t/ha (Basal and top dressing)
T4 - Urea 416 kg + super phosphate + potash each at 250 kg (Basal and top dressing)
Chennai (TN) Perumal and Vatsala (2013)61
61
Table 10: Impact of biodynamic preparations and panchgavya in organically
managed cropping systems comprising legumes on soil biological health
Treatment Vegetable pea Chickpea Maize+Green gram Basmati Rice

T1 8 t FYM + 8 t EC + 8 t FYM + 8 t EC + 26.5 t FYM + 26.5 t EC + 9.28 t FYM + 9.28 t EC +

2.12 t VC + 2.65 q NC/ha 2.12 t VC + 2.65 q NC/ha 2.12 t VC + 1.2 t NC/ha 2.12 t VC + 0.4 t NC/ha
T2 BD 500 + BD 501+ CPP BD 500 + BD 501+ CPP BD 500 + BD 501+ CPP BD 500 + BD 501+ CPP
T3 T1 + Panchagavya T1 + Panchagavya T1 + Panchagavya T1 + Panchagavya
T4 T1 + T2 T1 + T2 T1 + T2 T1 + T2
T5 T4 + Panchagavya T4 + Panchagavya T4 + Panchagavya T4 + Panchagavya
T6 Control Control Control Control

Two cropping system

CS1: Basmati rice-chickpea-Sesbania green manure
CS2: Basmati rice-vegetable pea-maize (green cob & fodder) + green gram (residues incorporation)
EC: Enriched compost; NC: Neem cake; BD 500: Two foliar application @ 30 g BD 500 in 15 litres water per acre to soil
before sowing or at transplanting; BD 501: Two foliar application @ 1 g BD 501 in 15 litres water per acre to soil i.e at two
leaf stage and after fruit setting stage; Cow Pat Pit (CPP): Foliar spray/seed treatment/root dipping @ 5kg CPP in 20 litre of
water at two leaf stage, flowering and fruit setting stage; Panchagavya: Applied @ 30 ml/litre. Two sprays: 15 days before
flowering and 15 days after flowering.
Pantnagar (UK) Rana et al. (2013)
62 Continue…
62
 Treatments CS-1 Chickpea CS-2 Vegetable pea CS-2 Maize cobs CS-2 Green gram
(kg/ha) (kg/ha) (kg/ha) (kg/ha)
T1 1441 5062 8560 2429
T2 1163 4610 6670 1813
T3 1228 5030 8660 2454
T4 1212 4915 8570 2432
T5 1458 5250 8740 2476
T6 1080 3911 6580 1790
C.D.(p=0.05) 131 433.1 4.60 98.7

T5 - Farmyard manure + vermicompost + enriched compost + neem cake + biodynamic preparations

+ Panchagavya

Pantnagar (UK) Rana et al. (2013)

63
Table 11: Effect of biodynamic and organic manures on yield of cumin under
organic production

Seed Straw
Treatment yield yield
(kg/ha) (kg/ha)
T1 Vermicompost @ 2 t/ha 284.49 671.72
T2 FYM @ 6 t/ha 317.50 709.95
T3 BD500+Vermicompost @ 2 t/ha 293.32 655.55
T4 BD500+FYM @ 6 t/ha 398.89 741.32
T5 BD500+BD501+ Vermicompost @ 2 t/ha 388.07 719.50
T6 BD500+BD501+ FYM @ 6 t/ha 447.51 768.70
T7 Absolute Control 198.12 457.52
T8 Absolute Control (water spray) 217.97 444.58
S.Em± 6.97 13.39
CD(0.05) 21.14 40.60

Rajasthan 64 Sharma et al. (2017)

Table 12: Effect of different organic nutrient management practices on growth and yield
of chickpea (after three year of study on pooled basis)

No. of pods/ No. of seeds/ Seed yield Haulm yield

Treatment
plant pod (kg/ha) (kg/ha)

T1 FYM 8 t/ha+Rhizobium+PSB 104.13 1.24 1353 4515

T2 FYM 4 t/ha +Mustard cake 1 t/ha +Rhizobium+PSB 107.77 1.34 1481 4677
T3 FYM 8 t/ha +BD-500+BD-501+Rhizobium+PSB 110.70 1.33 1463 4572
T4 FYM 4 t/ha + MC 1 t/ha + Rhizobium + PSB + BD-500 + BD-501 107.02 1.36 1449 4785
T5 VC 4 t/ha +Rhizobium + PSB 101.09 1.21 1281 4460
T6 VC 2 t/ha + MC 1 t/ha + Rhizobium + PSB 103.29 1.25 1354 4161
T7 VC 4 t/ha + BD-500 + BD- 501 + Rhizobium + PSB 110.83 1.41 1560 4898
T8 VC 2 t/ha + MC 1 t/ha + Rhizobium + PSB + BD-500 + BD-501 105.56 1.29 1410 4470
T9 VC 2 t/ha as basal +VC 2 t/ha at 40 DAS + MC 1 t/ha + 114.92 1.48 1748 5416
Rhizobium + PSB + BD-500 + BD-501
T10 Control 92.22 1.08 906 3593
S.Em± 1.18 0.02 22 84
CD(0.05) 3.51 0.06 64 251

VC- Vermicompost
Rajasthan MC- Mustard cake 65 Sharma et al. (2017)
Table 13: Effect of different biodynamic treatment on green pod yield of vegetable
pea

Treatment Green pod yield (t/ha)

T1 : BD-501 (2%) 12.15
T2 : BD-501 (5%) 12.56
T3 : BD-501 (10%) 12.43
T4 : Panchagavya (3%) 12.74
T5 : BD-501 (2%)+Panchagavya (3%) 15.56
T6 : BD-501 (5%)+Panchagavya (3%) 14.63
T7 : BD-501 (10%) +Panchagavya (3%) 13.26
T8 : Control 10.17
S.Em± 0.81
CD(0.05) 2.02

Ranchi 66 Dutta et al. (2017)

Table 14: Comparison of biodynamic preparation 500, tank, biodung and vermitech
composting system in compost production and its influence on the
agronomy of tomato.

Treatment Transplant Flowering Fruiting

T1 Control - - -
T2 NPK (50:50:50) 1.5 g 1.5g 1.0 g
T3 Biodung compost 150 g 150 g 150g
T4 Biodynamic preparation 500 250 ml 250ml 250ml
T5 Tank compost 150 g 150 g 100 g
T6 Vermicompost 150 g 150 g 100 g
T7 Biodung compost + BD 500 150 g + 200 ml 150 g + 200 ml 100 g + 200 ml
T8 Tank compost + BD 500 150 g + 200 ml 150 g + 200 ml 100 g + 200 ml
T9 Vermicompost + BD 500 150 g + 200 ml 150 g + 200 ml 100 g + 200 ml
T10 Biodung compost + Tank compost + 150 g + 200 ml 150 g + 200 ml 100 g + 200 ml
Vermicompost + BD 500

Guyana Lowenfield et al. (2019)

67 Continue…
 Fig. 2: Plant height, number of flowers and fruits per plant of tomato

Highest plant height was obtained in T5 – tank compost and highest flowers and fruits are obtained in T7 – Biodung
compost + BD 500
Guyana 68 Lowenfield et al. (2019)
68
Table 15: The effect of BD preparation 500 on soil agrochemical indicators

Not Sprayed Not Sprayed

Not sprayed Sprayed with P500
sprayed with P500 sprayed with P500
Soil
agrochemical Days after spray application
indicators
Before spray
7 days 14 days 63 days 126 days
application
Available
phosphorus, 156.52Bb 160.40Bb 171.19Aa 112.64Db 129.78Ca 103.20Eb 112.83Da
mg/kg
Available
potassium, 217.32Bb 222.47Bb 229.62Aa 88.21Ca 91.90Ca 79.14Da 81.01Da
mg/kg
Nitrogen mg/kg 13.51Bb 13.38Bb 16.58Aa 8.81Db 10.09Ca 7.36Eb 8.40Da
Ammonia
nitrogen, mg/kg 3.50Ba 3.30Ba 3.30Ba 4.62Aa 4.59Aa 4.06Aa 4.14Aa

Mineral
nitrogen, mg/kg 17.03Bb 16.74Bb 19.88Aa 13.37Db 14.71Ca 12.44Eb 13.90Da

Switzerland 69 69
Vaitkeviciene et al. (2019)
 CONCLUSION

Use of biodynamics improved yield and quality of field crops/fruits

and vegetables.
Improvement in soil chemical properties such as nutrient content, pH,
CEC etc. achieved with application of biodynamics.
Application of different biodynamic in compost improve the growth
and yield attributes like Plant height, number of flower. Shoot length,
root length as well as total bulb yield of onion and tomato etc.

70