Posts Tagged ‘Agricultural Methods’
-
The Biodynamic Gardening Fuel
Posted on October 10th, 2011 by admin
The mind and body of every person works in tip-top condition because they are fed with foods that provide vital nutrients. Machines complete their long list of workloads and withstand the pressures of every single task because they are appropriately powered by any of the energy forms available. Just like in the two mentioned situations agricultural methods are made possible because of certain key elements that provide for win-win opportunities. Lets take a look at the very fuel that makes the biodynamic gardening and farming machinery run to its full potential.
The presence of humus stains on the soil is very important in ensuring favorable crop production. First lets find out what humus is. Basically, humus is a degraded organic material that can found in the soil which brings about the dark brown or black characteristic in some of its layers.
In the field of soil science, it is referred to as any organic matter that has reached a certain point of stability in which breakdown will never take place and in unchanged condition it will remain unscathed for a long period of time. In agricultural talk humus can be described as mature compost that is naturally occurring to be extracted in sources like forests to amend soil. Moreover, it is identified with topsoil horizon that is composed of organic materials.
Humus is usually tagged as the life-force of the soil. Now, this so-called life force can occur via a process known as humification which can take place via natural means with the soil itself or by compost production. The significance of stable humus contributes to the soil fertility both in terms of physicality and chemical components. But for some agricultural gurus its highlight is within its ability to suppress soil deterioration and plant diseases.
Humus works in various ways. In physical aspects, it contributes to the retention of soil moisture by adding up to its microporosity and encouraging the formation of patent soil structure. In chemical terms, it facilitates easy access and absorption of plant nutrients by incorporating oxygen into large organic molecular compartments that will generate active forms of negatively charged sites that can attract positively charged ions of nutrients. In biological facets, it allows adequate and appropriate feedings of soil organisms that eventually results into good reproductive results.
Humus is actually a complex substance having a nature that is not fully grasped within the agricultural circles. It can only be differentiated from organic matter as having a more uniform appearance of a dark, spongy, and jelly-like substance. It is amorphous in terms of structure meaning it does not possess a definite character and shape.
Humus can also be termed as humified organic matter as in recent versions of studies and documentations it has been considered to be an integral portion of soil organic matter. However the line between humus and organic matter can be drawn by employing the services of a microscope. The view of a humified organic matter without chemical manipulation within the magnifying capacities of a microscope can showcase minute but identifiable plant-like and animal-like microbial remains which have been mechanically altered.
Biodynamic gardening is just like its fuel. The humus, with its unique complexities enables each and every plant-loving individual to enjoy their craft and reap its rewards.
Get more complete tips on Biodynamic Farming , visit: www.biodynamicfarming.getmytips.com
More Biodynamic Gardening Articles
Related Posts:
-
The Heart of Biodynamic Gardening
Posted on October 9th, 2011 by admin
There is a good clich that stays that everything happens for a reason. Leaders in every part of the planet show their stuff in order bring forth a good change to certain part of society. Inventions were brought to life by genius minds in order to uplift the lives of many. Happenings such as these with great magnitude can be aptly compared to the presence of basic industrial and agricultural methods. Just like any other technique, biodynamic gardening and farming was born in order to give way to better soil conditions thus improving the quality of crops and livestock.
Whenever the concept of biodynamic methods are placed as the center of attention a constant element is always in the midst serving as some sort of barometer for the effectiveness of the said methods. It is a given fact that the soil is a very important element in agriculture. Lets get acquainted with the earth and dig into some of the basic facts about it.
Basically soil is considered as a natural body that is made up of layers called soil horizons. These so-called horizons are composed of minerals that have variable thicknesses. They can also have characteristics that are entirely similar with their parent materials which can be in physical, chemical, mineralogical, and morphological terms.
The characteristic difference mentioned above is brought about by the constant changes and activities that are occurring within the various sectors of the planet such as the atmosphere, biosphere, lithosphere, and hydrosphere. Weathering and erosion are some of the more common environmental processes that contribute to the alteration of the composition of rock particles that make up the soil. Due to the varying processes that manipulate soil development it is regarded as a mixture of organic and mineral entities that can be in aqueous, soil, or gaseous states.
The package wherein soil particles are formed can be described as loose that is why common sol structures are seen with pore spaces. Liquid and gaseous solutions can be located within these soil pores. Soil actually exists in a three state system. Apart from the liquid and gas components it is also associated with a common term that one can fully grasp. Soil is synonymous with earth from which our very own planets name is taken from.
Now lets look at how significant soil is in lives of human beings. Primarily soil is utilized in the agricultural circles wherein its common task is to provide the vital nutrients needed in plant growth and development. The soil variation that is tapped on by the agriculture people is influenced by the species of plants that are to be cultivated. One usual element of the soil that is given proper attention is the moisture level.
The soil is quite flexible as it can go beyond the lines of farming and gardening. It is considered as a critical element in industries revolving around construction and mining. It is widely used as a foundation for any level of construction. The contribution of soil can reach up to the likes of road building, dam construction, and even surface mining.
Biodynamic gardening and farming was created for a very significant reason. This is to continuously aid the soil in enhancing the agricultural industry. The end result of which will surely be favorable to many who constantly needs sustenance and proper nutrition.
Get more complete tips on Biodynamic Farming , visit: www.biodynamicfarming.getmytips.com
Related Biodynamic Gardening Articles
Related Posts:
-
Biodynamic Gardening in Full Throttle
Posted on October 7th, 2011 by admin
In any sort of field or competition being second is not enough. It is a strong fact that a large percentage of creatures on the planet strive hard in order to be named the best. In simpler terms its important to be on top of the food chain. Various people and inventions have outlasted the competition throughout the years one of which is an agricultural brand called biodynamic gardening and farming. Lets see what the ratings say.
There has been a wide array of research studies performed in order to graph comparisons between the performances and outcomes of various agricultural methods. The results indicate that biodynamic techniques and principles have left the competition sniffing on its dust. Both organic and conventional methods do not stand up against the soil quality of farmed areas based on biodynamic concepts. The deciding factor is actually the presence of compost. Lets peep closer.
A study was done in New Zealand farms during 1993. Reports came out with biodynamic farms wiping away the competition. It was stated that the soil had higher levels of physical and biological quality. There is a significant increase in composition and activities of microbes, higher number of earthworms, greater amount of organic matter, thicker topsoil, easier penetrability, and lower bulk density. In terms of economic aspects biodynamic farms were easily maintained and managed.
There was also a long period of study engaged in at a commercial vineyard in California. The focus was the comparison of the effects of biodynamic preparations on a certain vineyard block to another vineyard block that was tended with general organic farming methods. Further highlight and attention was given to the soil and crop quality. During the first six years of the study no significant difference was noted in the parameters that included the yield per vine, cluster and berry weight, and clusters per vine.
Nevertheless there was significant stat that attracted the attention of the researchers. There was a difference in the yield-to-pruning weight ratio with a p-value of less than 0.05. This indicated an ideal vine balance for the production of high-quality wine grapes for the crops that were treated with biodynamic preparations while those crops with general organic treatments came out as slightly overcropped. In one specific year of the study the wine grapes that were treated biodynamically showed significant boosts in Brix and notable increased amounts of anthocyanins and phenols.
An even longer study of 21 years was conducted by the FiBL Institute in Switzerland wherein a comparison of the agronomic and ecological capacities of two conventional systems, organic, and biodynamic methods were done. The study pointed out that nutrient input for biodynamic and organic systems was 34 to 51 percent lower as compared to the conventional systems and crop yield was 20 percent lower on average. This meant that biodynamic and organic systems have more capacity for efficiency in production.
The total amount of energy required to come up with a dry matter unit of crop was 20 to 56 percent lower and pesticide input was decreased by 100 percent for the biodynamic system. In aspects of humus formation, soil calcium, microbial mass, soil aggregate stability, and faunal biomass, the biodynamic system edged out even the organic system. Both the biodynamic and organic system outclassed the conventional systems during the conclusion of the study.
Biodynamic gardening and farming is a potent form of agricultural method. It is even more effective when the practitioner puts every concept into action by heart.
Get more complete tips on Biodynamic Farming , visit: www.biodynamicfarming.getmytips.com
When starting to garden in a biodynamic way it can be difficult working out what to do when. This DVD gives you the tools and shows you the techniques you need to know. Lynette West, of the Biodynamic Education Centre, shows biodynamic gardening methods to the gardeners at Garden Organic, Ryton. Learn with them the vortex to chaos stirring technique; how to make biodynamic compost and understand the biodynamic preparations; how to make and use manure concentrate, horn manure (BD500) and horn silica (BD501); how to work with the sowing and planting calendar and much, much more… The aim of biodynamic practice is to revitalise the soil and make it open and receptive to all the forces of the cosmos. In 1924, at the request of German farmers concerned about the decline in soil and animal fertility, Rudolf Steiner, an Austrian scientist, gave a series of lectures suggesting ways to work with the energies of the earth, moon, sun and planets as well as plants such as yarrow, chamomile, nettles, oak bark, valerian and dandelion to heal the earth, In biodynamics it is believed that there is nowhere quite like your garden. It has its own combination of soil, microorganisms and micro climate. Nobody else can produce fruit and vegetables quite like yours. What could be better than eating food grown in your own unique garden? ‘Biodynamic Gardening — the tools and techniques to nurture your garden’ will help you have a bumper harvest! The full length DVD is available demystified …
Related Posts:
-
Biodynamic Agriculture and Its History
Posted on January 11th, 2010 by admin
The agriculture of biodynamics, or the biodynamiques ones is a biological system of agriculture (but the limit antedates). It is based on the lesson anthroposophical of Rudolf Steiner, in particular on the eight conferences given by him in 1924 at Schloss Koberwitz in what was then Silesia, Germany nowadays Poland (close to Wrocł aw). When Steiner believed that the introduction of the leasing of chemical was an important problem. Steiner was convinced that the quality of food in its time was degraded, and it believed that the source of problem were the artificial manures and pesticides. However, it did not believe that it was only because of the chemical or biological properties concerning the implied substances, but also because of the spiritual imperfections in the whole chemical approach of the leasing. Steiner considered the world and all in him as simultaneously spiritual and the material in kind, an approach named the monism. It also believed that the living matter was different from the died matter, a point of view generally indicated under the name of vitalism.
The biodynamics of limit was invented by the members of Steiner’ S. Any product of biodynamics is also organic. A farm of biodynamics functions the same ones exactly as a firm organics by not employing any pesticide, weedkiller etc; but there are various agricultural methods which are single with the leasing of biodynamics. Those include the field and perforate preparations and a use of calendar astrological to determine periods of the plantation and harvest.
The product of biodynamics is certified by Demeter, but can as well be certified by an organic body of certification. A central aspect of biodynamic is that the farm as a whole is seen like organization, and should thus be a closed individual-nutritive system.
HISTORY.
History the agricultural work coming from the belief of Rudolf Steiner is based at Goetheanum in Dornach, Switzerland. Not length after the conferences of Steiner on agriculture at the Twenties where by agricultural group of research was formed to examine and check the complaints of Steiner and others concerning the nature of the life and the health of the ground, the factories and the animals. The international association of Demeter for the certification of the farms and the processors which follow the method of biodynamics was launched in 1928. The association of the Demeter United States was formed in the Eighties and certified its first farm in 1982. In the United States, Biodynamic Farming & Gardening Association, Inc. was founded in 1938 like company of the state of New York. In Australia the first preparations of data base were manufactured by Ernesto Genoni in Melbourne in 1927 and by Bob Williams in Sydney in 1939. Since the Fifties the research task continued at the institute of search for search for biodynamics (BDRI) in Powelltown, close to Melbourne Australia under the direction of Alex Podolinsky. Today the biodynamiques ones is practised in the whole world in more than 50 countries.
Related Posts:
Biodynamic Farming Secrets
You Too Can Use This Advanced Technology To Heal Polluted Soil, And Turn Ordinary Plants Into 'Super-Food' Loaded With Nutrients, to Heal And Sustain Your Family - I'll Teach You How, Step-by-Step, In Less Than 60 Minutes