Biodynamic Soil Fertility Management

Abstract

Biodynamic (BD) agriculture became the subject of interest in the last years as an increasing number of researchers, professionals, and farmers are starting to explore and practice this way of farming. Basic BD practices and their background are presented in this chapter, backed with research results and fi ndings from scienti fi c literature. One of the more known and at the same time controversial topic of BD farming, the BD preparations, are explored more into detail, with a focus on processes in the compost, the soil, and the buildup of soil fertility with their use. Moreover, effects of BD practices on perennial crops are exempli fi ed on the case of the vine since there is yet no research published on other perennial crops. The importance of the complex soil-plant system and the potential in fl uence of BD practices are put into perspective.