Bio Dynamic Principles : 3 While the Biodynamic Method does not deny the role, and importance, of the mineral constituents of the soil, especially the so-called fertilizer elements and compounds that include nitrogen, phosphate, potash, lime, magnesium, and the trace minerals, it sponsors the most skillful use of organic matter as the basic factor for soil life. (It is of interest that the importance of the finer elements, the trace minerals, for health and normal growth was actually pointed out by Rudolf Steiner as early as in 1924.) However, the Biodynamic Method is more than just another organic method. It stands for a truly scientific way of producing humus. Not, merely the application of nothing but organic matter in a more or less decomposed form is intended, but the use of the completely-digested form of crude organic matter known as stabilized, stable or lasting humus. In this aim the method differs from what is commonly called ‘organic farming’. In the latter, any collection of any organic matter is apt to be called compost. In the B.D. Method the organic material to be used as a basis for compost is transformed either by means of the Biodynamic Compost Preparations, or by means of the B.D. Compost Starter (Pfeiffer’s formula). It should not be forgotten that at the time of evolving the method, during the years 1922-24, and afterwards during the years of experimental and empirical trials (from 1924 to about 1930), agriculture was dominated by the agricultural chemical concept based on J.v.Liebig’s research with regard to the major mineral fertilizer elements. A one-sided situation had developed. Nitrogen, phosphate, potash, lime were considered the only important fertilizers and the trace minerals were ignored. Barnyard manure was looked down upon as an unimportant factor, frequently as a nuisance which had to be disposed of one way or another. A fundamental change in the estimation of the value of manure and compost has taken place since 1930, increasingly since 1940, and of the trace elements since 1950. This has gone so far that manure and compost have now been restored to their proper, all-important position in modern agriculture, even in the orthodox school. Source: biodynamics.in/
Posted on: Tue, 24 Sep 2013 03:40:20 +0000
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