Back J. P. Reganold
Department of Crop and Soil Sciences, Washington State University, Pullman, Washington, USA
Full Paper (PDF File: 94KB)
Abstract
Biodynamic farming practices show promise in mitigating some of the adverse effects of conventional agriculture on the environment. Biodynamic farming is like organic farming in that no synthetic chemical fertilizers and pesticides are used. Unlike organic farmers, biodynamic farmers add eight specific preparations (made from cow manure, silica, and various plants) to enhance soil quality and plant growth. This paper summarizes soil quality data from previous and current studies on 16 commercial biodynamic and conventional farms in New Zealand. Physical, chemical, and biological soil properties were measured as an index of soil quality. Although two different statistical designs were used for analyzing the data, the conclusions in each case were the same. The biodynamic farms proved to have soils of higher biological and physical quality than did the conventional farms: significantly greater organic matter content and microbial activity, better soil structure, lower bulk density, easier penetrability, and greater depth of topsoil. The results of the soil chemical analyses were variable.