Agroecological interventions for pest and disease management include several strategies to enhance homeostasis of the crop. Biological agents and homeopathic remedies are innovative and efficient agriculture technologies in the production of pesticide-free food. The objective of this work was to evaluate the effects of the biological control Trichoderma spp. and high-dynamized dilutions of Silicea terra to manage grey mould (Botrytis cinerea) and to promote growth in strawberry plants cv. San Andreas. The experiment was carried out in a greenhouse at EPAGRI experimental station, Lages-SC, 2017. The experimental design consisted of six treatments and five repetitions which were completely randomised. Each plot consisted of a strawberry plant cultivated in a 3.6 L plastic pot. Leaf area, number of leaves, root and leaf weights were assessed. The incidence and severity of grey mould on fruits was also evaluated. The statistical analysis was done by environment R®. Plants treated with Trichoderma spp. (WP formulation) resulted in a lower fruit incidence of B. cinerea fruits in all evaluated periods. Plants treated with Silicea12CH showed wider leaf area, produced more leaves during the cycle and had greater root weight.
The Strawberry (Fragaria × ananassa Duch.) is the world's most important berry. Around 9.2 million tonnes of strawberries were produced worldwide in 2021 over approximately 395,844 hectares distributed across almost all continents. However, industrial farming approaches, which include the application of high volumes of pesticides, have placed the fruit on the list of foods most contaminated by pesticide residues. Such management negatively affects food security and environmental sustainability. Agroecology is proposed as a holistic alternative to solve this problem, and within this, some practices associated with homeopathy and biodynamic farming involve the application of highdynamized dilutions as alternatives to chemical pesticides. Research indicates that the use of highdynamized dilutions holds the potential to promote crop vitality through building natural equilibrium and resilience of agricultural systems. The objective of this research was to explore the extent to which high-dynamized dilutions can increase the sustainability of commercial strawberry production as well as understand the challenges and benefits of using high-dynamized dilutions in agriculture. To do this, natural and social science methods are combined in a multidisciplinary approach that was developed simultaneously in Brazil and the UK. Results of controlled trials demonstrated that the use of high-dynamized dilutions of Phosphorus 12CH, Sulphur 12 CH, and Kali Carbonicum 12CH positively influenced crop production, pest disease levels, and plant vigor in strawberry plants. In addition, data collected from a web survey and interviews with farmers, researchers, and advisors who work with homeopathy, evidenced the role of homeopathy and biodynamic farming as transformative tools regarding ecological awareness and ecological education, helping to advance the concept of the agriculture organism and subtle aspects of life into agricultural research and society.
Preparado Homeopático Silicea terra e biogente Trichoderma harzianum na qualidade de frutos de morangueiro Homeopathic Preparation Silicea terra e bioagent Trichoderma harzianum in the strawberry fruit quality of cultivar san andreas
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