| Biodynamics
is an approach to agriculture based on a concept of life
forces. These forces work in nature to bring about balance
and healing. Biodynamic agriculture uses a philosophical
model articulated in eight lectures given in 1924 by
Rudolf Steiner (1861-1925), an Austrian scientist
and philosopher. Steiner delivered these "Agriculture
Course" lectures in response to observations from
farmers -- that soils were becoming depleted and that
the health and quality of crops and livestock were diminishing
following the introduction of chemical fertilizers. Thus,
biodynamic agriculture was the first "organic"
or ecological farming system to develop as an alternative
to chemical agriculture. |
|
|
| Biodynamics
combines "biological" agriculture with an understanding
of "dynamic" ecological systems. If there is
a "conventional" school of organic agriculture
today, it practices "biological" farming. For
example, it uses cover crops and manure to build the microbiology
of the soil. The "dynamic" part of the practice
takes a broader perspective to enhance metaphysical aspects
(the life forces) and natural rhythms (such as planting
seeds during certain lunar phases). As an analogy, consider
an alternative form of medicine. Chinese acupuncture represents
an intricately detailed philosophy and practice for which
we have no equivalent in conventional medicine. Acupuncture
recognizes a subtle energy -- chi or life force -- that
pervades our bodies and influences our health. Acupuncture
is able to mobilize those healing forces in ways that
defy explanation by to Western medicine. |
|
|
| The
test is not whether the concept of acupuncture is "true"
according to Western medical standards, but whether it
works. For certain conditions, acupuncture works better
than anything in Western medicine. Similarly, Biodynamics
is concerned with chi or life force -- this time in the
practice of using those forces beneficially in agriculture.
In this sense, Biodynamics has been described as a spiritual
or mystical approach to agriculture. Steiner was very
concerned that his system should be distinguished from
mere superstition or dogmatic belief. To this end, Steiner
advocated a scientific process of testing hypotheses as
well as meditative insight. This makes Biodynamics an
on-going process in which the community of practitioners
actively exchange ideas and refine their understanding.
|
|
|
| Using
a systems ecological approach, Biodynamics sees each farm
as an organism, a self-contained entity with its own individuality.
Thinking about the farm as ecosystem leads to holistic
management practices. These include integrating crops
with livestock, recycling nutrients, maintaining soil,
and enhancing the health and well-being of crops and animals
and even the farmer too. In this sense Biodynamics shares
concepts with permaculture humans have a role as the designer
of the ecosystem. |
|
|
| However,
in considering natural forces Biodynamics introduces a
different focus than other organic gardening schools of
thought. Biodynamics parallels organic farming in many
ways - especially with regard to cultural and biological
farming practices - but it is set apart by its emphasis
on chi or life energy. Biodynamic practices seek to balance
the physical and non-physical realms, acknowledging cosmic
and terrestrial forces that influence life energy. It
is this complicated metaphysical terminology that makes
Biodynamics hard to grasp, yet these concepts are part
of the biodynamic understanding of how living systems
work. |
|
|
| A
Plant Contains the Following elements As shown,From here
we see That Secondary nutrients such as Calcium Magnesium
and Sulphur make up of a major part of the available make
up of the Plant body |
|
|
| Hence
to keep a plant Healthy we have to consider all the needs
of a plant may it be primary,secondary or micronutrients
needs to reap the rich benefits from the crop. |
| |
| |
| |
