Research - what are the main questions faced by biodynamic farmers and researchers

Research - what are the main questions faced by biodynamic farmers and researchers  

Biodynamic research is often associated with research on the preparations and cosmic influences (Kirchmann 1994, Trevawas 2004). In the early days, much scientific attention was indeed given to the preparations (Koepf 1993, Goldstein 2000, IBDF 2003). Many attempts have been made to provide evidence for the effect of the preparations on soil parameters (e.g. Bachinger 1995, Carpenter-Boggs et al. 2000, Mader etal. 2002), plant development (Koppenol 

Some studies, including more prominent ones (Reganold et al. 1993, Mader et al. 2002), have repeatedly shown a clearly positive impact of the biodynamic method on soil structure, enzyme activities, CO2 exchange and earthworm populations (Koepf 1993, Goldstein 2000). However, there are also studies that were not able to show such results (Carpenter-Boggs ef al. 

Essential research focuses on plant breeding (Muller ef al. 2000, Henatsch 2002, Lammerts van Bueren 2002, ABDP 2003), appropriate breeding objectives for livestock (Baars etal. 2003), the veterinary treatment of livestock (Walkenhorst ef al. 2004), ruminant feeding with low concentrate inputs, food quality and food quality evaluation methods (Selawry and Selawry 1957, Balzer-Graf 1987, Strube and Stolz 2000). 

It is necessary to drive forward research on the effectiveness of the biodynamic preparations in order to provide sound practical recommendations for the frequency and timing of their use. However, discussions are required to decide whether it makes sense to assess the effect of individual biodynamic practices in isolation from the overall method, as these practices were proposed as part of a comprehensive farming system (Steiner 2004), the impulse of which is based, in particular, on a holistic understanding of agricultural processes. A complex, holistic, systemic form of science would be appropriate to biodynamic farming (Baars 2002), but has not yet been realised (Lockeretz 2000). It is unclear what would constitute holistic research. Phenomenological descriptions of the overall context are without doubt a key element that has been developed in much detail in the context of anthroposophic research over the past 80 years (Bockemtlhl 1992). However, does holistic research mean that the approach to every 

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