Cover Story 2 - Amitava Dutta

Bio-dynamic Farming: A brief note on achieved experiences

The underlying idea is to gainfully harness natural energies of the cosmos, including those of the earth, animals and plants. The soil and plant health is maintained through the use of materials derived from plants and animals. It involves certain principles and practices for healthy soil, healthy plants and healthful food for human beings and feed for animals. In the system, energies from cosmos, mother earth, cow and plants are systematically and synergistically harnessed. Written by Amitava Dutta 

Biodynamic agriculture 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.

            “Biodynamic agriculture", is a mode of organic farming system where different farm operations were performed according to a crop calendar based on zodiac principles. Bio-dynamics, derived from two Greek words, ‘bios’ means life and ‘dynamos’ means energy. Hence, biodynamic farming refers to "working with the energies also which create and maintain life." The underlying idea is to gainfully harness natural energies of the cosmos, including those of the earth, animals and plants. The soil and plant health is maintained through the use of materials derived from plants and animals. It involves certain principles and practices for healthy soil, healthy plants and healthful food for human beings and feed for animals. In the system, energies from cosmos, mother earth, cow and plants are systematically and synergistically harnessed. It is based on the knowledge that soil, plants, animals and men work together in one agricultural cycle. It recognizes the biological values in the soil, as well as, the chemical values. Therefore, bio-dynamic agriculture 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.

            The original biodynamic (BD) preparations are numbered 500-508. The BD 501 preparation (horn-silica) is made from powdered quartz (packed inside a cow horn and buried in the soil for six months through spring and summer) and applied as a foliar spray to stimulate and regulate growth.

            There are certain principles followed by the Bio-dynamic farming system which consists of various scientific studies and its relation to the earth. There are 12 zodiac signs divisible into four groups of constellations, each of which has certain influences on farm operations and plant life and that these influences are also related to the movement of the moon. The whole thing is, in turn, related to the four basic elements, i.e., earth, water, fire and air. The group consisting of Taurus, Virgo and Capricorn is deemed to be related to earth and, hence, influences the development of roots. Gemini, Libra and Aquarius concerns air and light and affects flowering. Cancer, Scorpio and Pisces group is related to water and influences leaf development and Aries, Leo and Sagittarius panel concerns fire and affects the development of fruit and seed. The literature generated by CISH (Central Institute of Subtropical Horticulture, Lucknow) points out that during the ascending state of moon, the earth "breaths out", activating the forces of light and energy. Therefore, the developments occur in the upper parts of the plant during this period. Thus, this phase is suitable for sowing of seeds, foliar applications of different health-boosting concoctions and plant propagation activities. Even crop harvesting is recommended for this period. On the other hand, during the descending phase of moon, the earth is supposed to "breathe in" and, therefore, the developments occur below the ground at the root level. As such, this stage is suitable for land preparation and manure application, transplanting of seedlings, top-working of tree and harvesting of crops.

Organic farming and biodynamic farming system:

            Organic farming system in India is not new and is being followed from ancient time. It is a method of farming system which primarily aimed at cultivating the land and raising crops in such a way, as to keep the soil alive and in good health by use of organic wastes (crop, animal and farm wastes, aquatic wastes) and other biological materials along with beneficial microbes (bio-fertilizers) to release nutrients to crops for increased sustainable production in an eco-friendly pollution free environment. The life expectancy has improved, but the quality of life has substantially deteriorated. So, to improve the quality of the environment a forgotten traditional farming system named Biodynamic farming system has emerged now.

  

A Research Study on Cabbage with BD-501 and Shashyagavya (an organic liquid manure)

A long term trial (DOK experiment) evaluating the biodynamic farming system in comparison with organic and conventional farming systems, found that preparations have influence on soil structure and micro-organisms enhancing soil fertility and increasing biodiversity (Mäder et. al., 2002). Regarding compost development beyond accelerating the initial phase of composting, some positive effects have been noted. Bio-dynamics has much in common with other organic approaches-it emphasizes the use of manures and composts and excludes the use of artificial chemicals on soil and plants. Methods unique to the biodynamic approach include its treatment of animals, crops, and soil as a single ecosystem; an emphasis from its beginnings on local production and distribution systems; its use of traditional and development of new local breeds and varieties; and the use of an astronomical sowing and planting calendar (Turinek et al., 2009). Nutrient management is one of the most important considerations under organic production system. The increasing cost of chemical fertilizers and their harmful effects on the soil health is also an important consideration for the use of organic nutrients (Patel et al., 2005). The effect of different organic inputs on yield and quality of different cole crops has already established by several scientists of the world. Average marketable yield of cabbage in our country is very low as compared to other cabbage producing countries. One of the reasons for low yield is use of inadequate and unbalanced fertilization, so concept of adding bio-fertilizers is required to be adjusted along with judicious combinations of chemical and organic fertilizers.

Based on the above valuable information, the present study has been piloted with highlighting on the following objectives:

           i.         To study the effect of organic inputs in combination with bio-dynamics on yield associated characters of cabbage.

         ii.         To study the effect of organic inputs in combination with bio-dynamics on quality contributing characters of cabbage.

Materials and methodology

The present study was carried out at the experimental farm of Ramakrishna Mission Vivekananda University, IRTDM Faculty Centre, Ranchi during Rabi seasons of 2012-13 and 2013-14 by employing cabbage hybrid (F₁): INDAM-296 by following CRBD (Complete Randomized Block Design) with eight treatments and three replications correspondingly. Hence there were 24 plots of 4.5 m x 1.5 m sizes with spacing of 45 cm (R-R) x 30 cm (P-P). The treatments were: T₁ = BD-501 (1%); T₂ = BD-501 (5%); T₃ = BD-501 (5%); T₄ = SHASYAGAVYA (10%); T₅ = BD-501 (1%) + SHASYAGAVYA (10%); T₆ = BD-501 (5%) + SHASYAGAVYA (10%); T₇ = BD-501 (10%) + SHASYAGAVYA (10%) and T₈ = Control (no input). The observations on yield associated characters comprising of head length (cm), head diameter (cm), head weight (cm), no. of non-wrapper leaves/per head, and marketable yield (t/ha); quality attributing characters including ascorbic acid content (mg/100g), total sugar content (%), reducing sugar content (%), TSS content (⁰Brix) and soil bio-chemical properties like available nitrogen (%), available phosphorous (%), available potassium (%), available organic carbon (%), soil pH and total microbial population (cfu/g) were taken time to time. Both years data obtained from the experiment were analyzed through standard statistical tools for their interpretation and preparation of the report.

Results and discussions

The yield attributing characters (Table-1) illustrated that the head length was the highest (44.48 cm) in T₇ as against the lowest (40.09 cm) in control treatment (T₈) with non-significant differences among treatments. Similarly, head diameter also recorded non-significant differences among different treatments. The maximum number of non-wrapper leaves/head (10.00) was found in control treatment as against the minimum (7.67) in T₆ with statistically significant differences at 0.05 probability level. The highest value of the average head weight (870.00 g) was recorded from T₅ where SHASYAGAVYA (10%) + BD-501 (1%) solution was applied and the lowest value of the average head weight of 566.67 g was recorded as expected from the control plot with statistically significant differences among different treatments. Highest yield (43.95 t/ha) was recorded in T₅ followed by T₇ (37.45 t/ha) and the lowest yield as anticipated in control plot (24.72 t/ha) with statistical differences at 5% level of significance among treatments. These results corroborate well with the earlier study and finding of Rembialkowska (2003). Most of the studied quality contributing parameters recorded non-significant differences among treatment except ascorbic acid content (Table-2). The highest amount of ascorbic acid was found in T₅ (102.78 mg/100 g) and the lowest (68.94 mg/100 g) in control treatment. The present finding on ascorbic acid content gets closely matched with the previous findings of Suojala (2003); Rembialkowska (2003); Xu et al. (2003). The soil parameters illustrated that available nitrogen in the soil has increased from 0.135% to 0.151%; phosphorous has increased from 5.625% to 6.358%; potassium was 0.143% to 0.176% after application of BD-501 and SHASYAGAVYA 10% solution. There has been an increase in the organic carbon availability in the soil up to 0.571% from 0.396 % with the intervention of organic and bio-dynamic inputs. The available microbial population has increased from 15x10⁷cfu/g to 12x10⁸cfu/g, after the application of BD-501 and SHASYAGAVYA 10% solution.

Table 1: Yield attributing characters of cabbage as influenced by bio-dynamics and organic inputs.

Yield Attributes	Treatments
	T1	T2	T3	T4	T5	T6	T7	T8	SEm (±)	CD @5%
Head length (cm)	42.85	42.80	43.41	43.24	44.41	42.93	44.48	40.09	0.53	NS
Head diameter (cm)	41.40	43.56	44.35	45.62	44.09	42.62	42.87	40.59	1.28	NS
Head weight (g)	750.00	816.67	833.33	633.33	870.00	586.67	750.00	566.67	101.18	251.95
Non-wrapper leaves/ head	8.67	8.67	9.67	8.33	9.67	7.67	9.33	10.00	1.12	2.78
Marketable Yield (t/ha)	28.63	32.36	37.29	29.51	43.95	32.80	37.45	24.72	13.28	3.57

NS= Non-significant

Table 2: Quality contributing parameters as influenced by bio-dynamics and organic inputs.

Quality Parameters	Treatments
	T1	T2	T3	T4	T5	T6	T7	T8	SEm (±)	CD @5%
Ascorbic acid (mg/100g)	71.70	75.70	74.70	86.88	102.78	83.17	88.33	68.74	1.47	3.67
Total Sugar (%)	2.78	2.69	2.93	2.98	3.21	2.82	2.63	2.86	0.04	NS
Reducing sugar (%)	0.31	0.28	0.29	0.31	0.40	0.31	0.41	0.41	0.01	NS
TSS content (0Brix)	7.17	7.80	7.17	8.07	7.17	7.17	7.37	7.40	0.09	NS

NS= Non-significant

Table 3: Soil chemical properties as influenced by bio-dynamics and organic inputs.

Soil Parameters	Before	After
Available nitrogen (%)	0.14	0.15
Available phosphorous (%)	5.63	6.36
Available potassium (%)	0.14	0.18
Available organic carbon (%)	0.40	0.57
Soil pH	6.21	6.47
Available microbial population (cfu/g)	15x107	12x108

Conclusion

From the above findings it was revealed that the combined effect of BD and organic liquid input had positive outcome over the yield. As a result, the higher yield (43.95 t/ha) was recorded in T₅ [BD-501 (1%) + SHASYAGAVYA (10%)]. Again, T₅ emerged as the best treatment in terms of ascorbic acid content. It was also revealed that most of the studied soil parameters increased towards the desirable direction after the application of BD-501 and SHASYAGAVYA.

References

Mäder, P.; Fliessbach, A.; Dubois, D.; Gunst, L.; Fried, P. and Niggli, U. (2002). "Soil Fertility and Biodiversity in Organic Farming". Science, 296 (5573): 1694-1697.  Madras Agric. J., 59(3): 175-176. 

Patel, B. and Patil, A. A.  (1988) Effect of spacings and nitrogen levels on seed quality of onion (Allium cepa L.) cv. Bellary Red. Progressive Hortic., 20(34): 197-199.

Rembialkowska, E. (2003). Organic farming as a system to provide better vegetable quality. Acta Horticulturae, 604: 473-479.

Suojala, T. (2003). Compositional and quality changes in white cabbage during harvest period and storage. J. Hort. Sc. & Biotech., 78(6): 821-827.

Turinek, M.; Grobelnik-Mlakar, S.; Bavec, M. and Bavec, F. (2009). "Biodynamic agriculture research progress and priorities". Renewable Agriculture and Food Systems, 24(2): 146-154.

Xu, H. L.; Wang, R.; Xu, R.Y.; Mridha, M. A. U. and Goyal, S. (2003). Yield and quality of leafy vegetables grown with organic fertilizers. Acta Horticulturae, 627: 25-33.