Goetheanum · FreieSektion Hochschule für fürLandwirtschaft GeisteswissenschaftGeisteswissenschaft Sektion für Landwirtschaft SectionSektion for Agriculturefür Landwirtschaft Section for Agriculture Section d’Agriculture Section d’Agriculture Seccion deSeccion Agricultura de Agricultura 1st International Conference on Biodynamic Research Evolving Agriculture and Food Opening up Biodynamic Research September 5th to 8th 2018 / Dornach, Switzerland Conference Contributions Editors : V. Wahl, A. Hach, S. Sommer, P. Derkzen, C. Brock, J. Fritz, A. Spengler-Neff, U. Hurter, J.-M. Florin 1 Hügelweg 59 · 4143 Dornach · Schweiz Telefon +41 61 706 42 12 [email protected] · sektion-landwirtschaft.org All the information, results, etc. contained in this publication have been written and checked by the authors to the best of their knowledge. Errors are nevertheless possible. This document is not a peer-reviewed publication but a conference documentation. The abstracts were printed as they were submitted, sometimes with changes requested by the reviewers, but were not edited. The editors assume no liability for any of the information provided nor for the correctness, accuracy or completeness of the information, nor for the consideration of the private rights of third parties. The disclaimer of liability applies in particular to decisions that are made on the basis of the information in this conference transcript and their consequences. The authors bear sole responsibility for their contributions: their opinion does not automatically correspond to that of the editors. V. Wahl, A. Hach, S. Sommer, P. Derkzen, C. Brock, J. Fritz, A. Spengler-Neff, U. Hurter, J.-M. Florin (2019) Evolving Agriculture and Food - Opening up Biodynamic Research. Contributions to the 1st International Conference on Biodynamic Research, September 5th to 8th 2018, Dornach, Switzerland E-publication : www.sektion-landwirtschaft.org/en/thematic-areas/research/research-2018/ Layout : S. Baumann 2 Evolving Agriculture and Food Opening up Biodynamic Research Contributions to the 1st International Conference on Biodynamic Research September 5th to 8th 2018 / Dornach, Switzerland Editors : V. Wahl, A. Hach, S. Sommer, P. Derkzen, C. Brock, J. Fritz, A. Spengler-Neff, U. Hurter, J.-M. Florin Organiser Section for Agriculture at the Goetheanum Hügelweg 59 4143 Dornach Switzerland www.sektion-landwirtschaft.org/en/ Scientific Partners Research Institute of Organic Agriculture (FiBL) Ackerstrasse 113 5070 Frick Switzerland www.fibl.org Forschungsring e.V. Brandschneise 5 64295 Darmstadt Germany www.forschungsring.de University of Kassel Organic Agricultural Sciences Steinstr. 19 37213 Witzenhausen Germany www.uni-kassel.de/fb11agrar/en Supporters Biodynamic Association, USA Demeter International, Germany Mahle Foundation, Germany Software AG Stiftung, Germany Stiftung Freie Gemeinschaftsbank, Switzerland 3 4 WELCOME AND THANK YOU Biodynamic research is carried out in every agriculture field and in many places around the world. It makes use of a broad range of methods and links to various other research areas such as agroecology. The 1st International Conference on Biodynamic Research, 5 – 8 September 2018, adopted an inter- and transdisci- plinary approach and brought together both academic research and farmers’ expertise in order to explore and discuss the pressing issues in biodynamic food and farming systems. These issues were addressed both from traditional scientific and innovative meth- odological perspectives. This booklet contains most of the abstracts of the pa- pers and posters presented at the conference by over 100 researchers from all over the world. There are two categories of abstracts to facilitate contributions by both researchers and researching farmers and practitioners: scientific contributions and observa- tion reports. Scientific contributions are based on the common standards for design, implementation and evaluation of scientific research, while observation reports open up the world of farmers’ observations and experiences to the scientific sector. We believe that bringing these different sources of knowledge together is the best way to further explore and un- derstand agricultural systems. Our warm thanks go to all the authors and reviewers, the programme committee, the organisation team and partners, as well as the conference participants and sponsors. The conference would not have been possible without the cooperation of all these people. Dornach, May 2019 Christopher Brock, Petra Derkzen, Jean-Michel Florin, Jürgen Fritz, André Hach, Ueli Hurter, Sarah Sommer, Anet Spengler-Neff, Verena Wahl 5 6 TABLE OF CONTENTS WELCOME AND THANK YOU . 5 TABLE OF CONTENTS . 7 INAUGURAL ADDRESS . 13 Which research for biodynamic agriculture? Hurter Ueli � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 13 SOIL, PLANTS AND PREPARATIONS ��. 15 Effect of biodynamic preparations of the properties of soil and great pumpkin (Cucurbita maxima D.) fruits quality Danilčenko Honorata, Juknevičienė Edita, Čirienė Rasa, Fritz Jürgen � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 15 Achieving Microbial Balances in Soil through Biodynamic Agriculture Practices Dass Regina Sharmila� � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 16 Long-term, on-farm field manure experiment in Sweden comparing liquid and composted manure, including biodynamic treatments and biochar Granstedt Artur� � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 17 Effect of biodynamic preparations on the soil biological and agrochemical properties and potato tubers quality Jarienė Elvyra, Vaitkevičienė Nijolė, Ingold Reto, Peschke Jasmin ��� � � � � � � � � � � � � � ����� � � � � � � � 18 Yield and quality of Daucus carota L., under biodynamic management, related to moon rhythms Jovchelevich Pedro � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 19 Pfeiffer’s circular chromatography test applied to soil samples and comparison to chemical analysis results Kokornaczyk Maria Olga, Primavera Fabio, Luneia Roberto, Baumgartner Stephan, Betti Lucietta � � � � � � � � 20 Implementation and results of the biodynamic preparation prepared 500 (500P) Masson Vincent � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 21 Development of a bioassay with garden cress to test the bioactivity of the biodynamic horn manure preparation Morau Alain � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 21 Alternative herbs and materials for BD manures and BD preps for tropical countries like India Perumal Karuppan, Arunkumar Jayaraman � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 22 Biodynamic agricultural practices on improving the soil health and the productivity of rice (Oryza sativa L.) under two agroclimatic zones of Tamil Nadu Perumal Karuppan, Sivasankari Jayachandran � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 24 Soil carbon sequestration in selected orchards and agroforests managed through organic, biodynamic and conventional agricultural practices Perumal Karuppan, Aanathi Selvaraj � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 25 7 Integrating biodynamic methods into elm mistletoe cultivation – effects on pharmaceutical products Ramm Hartmut, Scherr Claudia, Grazi Mirio, Fritz Jürgen � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 26 Biodynamic preparations on static pile composting from Opuntia ficus-indica and Moringa oleifera wastes Rodas-Gaitán Heberto Antonio, Olivares-Sáenz Emilio, Ruiz Juana Aranda, Palma-García José Manuel, Vázquez- Alvarado Rigoberto Eustacio� � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 27 Application of foxglove-extract in combination with different potassium fertilizers Spiess Hartmut, Matthes Christoph, Horst Hartmut, Schaaf Harald, Schmehe Ben � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 29 Study on the Effect of Biodynamic Farming on Improving the Yield and the Quality of Green Agricul- ture Crops Xiao Dong, Xiao Bingzhou, Wang Chun, Chen Wenwen � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 30 Assessment of the contribution of microbial activities to tomato growth and yield under an organic production system Babalola Oluwatoyin ��� � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 30 Effects of use of biodynamic preparations on rainfall Cleland Francis � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � ����� � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 31 Quality of Horn Silica preparation out of different raw material and sheaths making Colmenares Ricardo, Iniesta Sebastian, Sanchez Iniesta Eduardo, Sant Natalia, Ramos Pedro� � � � � � � � � � 32 Essay of elaboration and application of biodynamic compost with addition of clay and basalt Concepción Fabeiro, Iniesta Sebastian, Colmenares Ricardo ��� � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 33 Biodynamic preparations, greater root growth and health, compensation for stress, and soil organic matter increases are linked Goldstein Walter, Koepf Herbert H�, Koopmans Chris � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 34 Equisetum arvense, P 508, plant protection activity from the lab to the field Marchand Patrice A�, Henner Marianne, Darnand Marie, Aveline Nicolas� � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 35 Perfecting a new biodynamic stirring machine: