Biodynamic preparations, greater root growth and health, stress resistance, and soil organic matter increases are linked

Abstract

The effects of biodynamic preparations were tested in the context of comparisons of conventional, organic, and biodynamic systems and diverse crop rotations in Washington and Wisconsin, USA. Wisconsin research also entailed testing a new nettle-and-manure-based field spray preparation (NCP). Focus was on winter wheat and maize and on soil quality. In Washington, preparations increased root growth of winter wheat, microbial biomass, and soil organic matter. In Wisconsin, applying a combination of preparations that included NCP increased root growth of maize, root health, and particulate organic matter in the soil. Relative to the organic treatments, root dry matter increases associated with the use of preparations varied from 12% to 39% and root length differences varied from 10% to 37% depending on the experiment, crop, year, and preparation application. The biodynamic + NCP treatment also induced substantial, positive yield compensatory effects for maize and wheat under stress condition years. The response slopes were practically identical for wheat and maize, indicating that the effect is of the same magnitude for both crops. Results were higher average grain yields and gross financial returns than for organic grain. The greater root production and root health stimulated by preparations is probably linked to greater vegetative growth, enhanced yield under stress conditions, and increased soil quality and carbon in soils.

Nature‐based solutions in soil restoration for improving agricultural productivity

“…Many practices in biodynamic farming and organic farming are similar, such as crop rotation, composting, and soil‐building, but biodynamic farming works closely with nature and on the principle of stimulating life in manures, composts, soils, and crops through the use of special preparations/formulations to produce higher quality healthy food (Goldstein et al, 2019). Some of these preparations/formulations are given in Table 1.…”

“…Some of these preparations/formulations are given in Table 1. Higher root and shoot biomass was reported with biodynamic formulations BD 500 and 501 (sprays), which could be attributed to the biostimulant activity of plant growth‐promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) (Goldstein et al, 2019). Several long‐term investigations in different parts of Europe revealed a rise in soil physicochemical parameters such as soil organic matter, nutrient availability, and biological properties such as microbial and dehydrogenase activity when biodynamic preparations were used (Fliessbach et al, 2007; Goldstein et al, 2019).…”

“…Early agriculture was more stable with a stronger link between soil-plant, animal, and human components involving two-way transfer of nutrients. However, with urbanization and industrialization of agriculture, the links between the components have become weaker due to less use of animal and human-based natural products farming works closely with nature and on the principle of stimulating life in manures, composts, soils, and crops through the use of special preparations/formulations to produce higher quality healthy food (Goldstein et al, 2019). Some of these preparations/formulations are given in Table 1.…”

“…Higher root and shoot biomass was reported with biodynamic formulations BD 500 and 501 (sprays), which could be F I G U R E 2 Nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium concentration in some commonly grown green manure crops (adopted from Singh et al, 1992). Green manure crops like Sesbania speciosa and Gliricidia maculata contain >3% N [Colour figure can be viewed at wileyonlinelibrary.com] T A B L E Biodynamic (BD) formulations, their composition, microbial load, and beneficial effects in soil Used to suppress fungal diseases in plants Note: Adopted from Mathew (2007); Pathak et al (2010);and Vaish et al (2020) attributed to the biostimulant activity of plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) (Goldstein et al, 2019). Several long-term investigations in different parts of Europe revealed a rise in soil physicochemical parameters such as soil organic matter, nutrient availability, and biological properties such as microbial and dehydrogenase activity when biodynamic preparations were used (Fliessbach et al, 2007;Goldstein et al, 2019).…”

Bioprospecting of microbial isolates from biodynamic preparations for PGPR and biocontrol properties

“…Addition of biodynamic preparations in composting raw material leads to better stability of organic matter, improves the chemical and microbial quality of compost with reduced CO 2 production and higher enzyme activity (Carpenter-Boggs et al, 2000a;Fließbach et al, 2000). Biodynamic farming system promotes and improves the health of the agro-ecosystems related to biodiversity, nutrient biocycles, soil microbial and biochemical activities, strongly affect root and vegetative growth (Raupp and Konig, 1996;Ponzio et al, 2013;Goldstein et al, 2019), however, the mechanism of action of these BD preparations needs to be established. An assumption may occur that BD preparations might posses some supernatural or magical curing ability, but these preparations work on scientific principles…”