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Short description of the biodynamic preparationsThe biodynamic preparations are produced with natural substances. They are applied in minute doses to enhance soil life, plant growth and quality as well as animal health. There are different kinds of preparations for certain application purposes: Field or spray preparations (horn manure and horn silica), compost preparations (yarrow, chamomile, nettle, oak bark, dandelion and valerian preparation). Furthermore, special preparations such as a horsetail decoction and the ash preparations in order to control weeds and pests.
The preparations are a non-replaceable element of biodynamic agriculture. They are an important help for producing food with Demeter quality. Their use is a compulsory requirement of the Demeter standards.
Principles of how to produce the preparationsThe production of the preparations takes place on the farm. The preparations are made with certain plant materials, cow manure or quartz meal. The materials are placed in certain animal organs as a cover and fermented in the soil at least half a year. Before using the preparations remaining residues of animal organs are removed.
Even with the production of the preparations it is intended to remain in connnection with biological processes. The function of the animal organs is to concentrate the constructive and formative living forces from the surroundings to the substances within the organs. With this special way of production, being comparable to the potentiation process of homeopathic remedies, the preparations develop a strong yet subtle power. (for more information to the production methods, see Wistinghausen et al., 2000).
The following materials are used in the production of the biodynamic preparations and the estimated quantities of organ material required per acre:
Annotation: (1*): if 5-time used; (2*): Bovine intestine, at present imported (according to EC-Reg. 999/2001 from BSE free states); (3*): Skull (only bone) from cows (< 1 year old), pigs or horses; (4*): Bovine peritoneum; (5*): Stag´s bladder (not originated from North America)
Application and mode of action of the preparationsThe application rate of the biodynamic spray preparations are 300 gram per hectare horn manure and 5 gram per hectare horn silica. The compost preparations are applied with quantities of 1-2 cm3 each per 10 m3 compost, farmyard manure or liquid manure. The mentioned amounts of horn manure and horn silica are vigorously stirred in 20-50 litres of water per hectare for one hour. As soon as possible after stirring the preparations should be evenly sprayed out on acres and grassland.
The compost preparations are brought spotwise into the organic material. According to Rudolf Steiner, they radiate their forces into the compost. Further specific application methods are described by Wistinghausen et al. (2000). The turnover processes in organic fertilizers are stimuleted by the preparations. The intensive stimulation of soil life by prepared fertilizer can be measured by some characteristics, e.g. increase of humus content or enzyme activities or more intensive root growth. Examples of a better product quality caused by the preparations are lower storage losses, reduced nitrate contents and higher contents of sugar and vitamins.
The preparations' mode of action is to stimulate harmonizing living processes. There is no direct nutrient effect of the preparations. The preparations support the self regulation of biological systems (Raupp und König 1996).
Literatur:Wistinghausen, C.v.; Scheibe, W.; Wistinghausen, E.v.; König, U.J. (2000): The biodynamic spray and compost preparations. Production methods. Biodynamic Agricultural Association, England
Wistinghausen, C.v.; Scheibe, W.; Heilmann, H.; Wistinghausen, E.v.; König, U.J. (2003): The biodynamic spray and compost preparations. Directions for use. Biodynamic Agricultural Association, England.
Raupp, J. & U. J. König (1996): Biodynamic preparations cause opposite yield effects depending upon yield levels. Biol. Agric. & Hort. 13, 175-188
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