Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
organs, have specific functions and are interlinked through feedback relationships. Biody-
namic farming takes account of these interrelationships and tries to actively shape them into
guided processes through a variety of management practices.
The prime objective is always to encourage healthy conditions for life. Soil fertility, plant
and animal health, as well as product quality are to be maintained and continuously improved
in a largely closed system by designing the individual farm enterprises and operations accord-
ingly. The following principles are based on the above objective. They represent implicit targets
of the biodynamic method which are to be implemented on the holdings (Demeter Interna-
tional 2003). The Demeter International trademark indicates that produce is grown and proc-
essed in compliance with their standards. Not all biodynamic farms or gardens are associated
with
Demeter
as an organisation. For farms producing under the
Demeter
trademark, the fol-
lowing principles are compulsory. However, for other farms producing biodynamically, these
principles are guides, but are not always binding.
Mixed holdings
Arable farming together with livestock is a prerequisite of biodynamic management. There are
special regulations for horticultural enterprises and perennial crops. A variety of enterprises that
balance out each other's one-sidedness are seen as a prerequisite for a healthy farm organism
(Raupp 2000). The keeping of livestock, especially ruminants, is an essential element. Manage-
ment largely aims at closed nutrient cycles. The use of mineral nitrogen (N) fertilisers is prohib-
ited. Application of mineral calcium, potassium, phosphorous and magnesium fertilisers
conforming to the Demeter Standards is permitted. It has been repeatedly shown that such man-
agement practices can indeed be sustainable (e.g. Kaffka and Koepf 1989, Reganold
et al
. 1993).
Varied site-appropriate crop rotations
A well-planned crop rotation is the basis for healthy plant growth and a fertile soil. Where crop
rotations cannot be practiced (perennial crops e.g. fruit or grapevine), strips of cover crops
with f flowering plants are sown. A rhythmic alternation of nitrogen-fixing (e.g. legumes) and
nitrogen-demanding plants (e.g.
Brassicas
), shallow-rooted (cereals) and deep-rooted plants
(lucerne), soil-building (root crops) and soil-exhausting crops (cereals), or humus-building
(fodder plants) and humus-destroying crops (root crops) utilises the effect of each preceding
crop, enhances the formation of the soil structure and prevents crop rotation diseases. Legume
cultivation for feed, as a grain legume or as green manure, is an indispensable part of the crop
rotation (25-30%) in order to replace the required nitrogen (Koepf
et al
. 1976, Sattler and v.
Wistinghausen 1992). An ideal crop rotation maintains a year-round green cover, improving
soil fertility in the most sustainable manner, and preventing nutrient losses.
Intensie organic fertilisation
Fertilisation does not aim primarily at feeding the plants but at enlivening the soil. This basic
tenet of biodynamic farming requires intensive fertilisation using farmyard manure, composts,
liquid manure, green manure and others. The use of farm-generated fertilisers varies with the
crop grown and is targeted at growing high quality foods. For example, potatoes are given
farmyard manure; vegetables receive only well-rotted composts. Organic fertilisers are treated
with biodynamic compost preparations (see
Biodynamic preparations
) as standard practice in
order to enliven the fertiliser as well as the soil. Regular applications of organic fertilisers serve
to close and intensify nutrient cycles (Koepf
et al
. 1976).
Biodynamic preparations
To support and intensify the processes in the organic manure and in the soil, Steiner indicated
six different preparations that should be added together to the manure (Sattler and v. Wisting-
