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Summary of
the 7 year research by Hartmut Spiess
at Dottenfelderhof
in Germany
Hartmut Spiess has been working on plant rhythms
(chronobiology) for many years and has many publications,
most of which are in German. His major work, which developed
out of his attempt to verify Maria Thun's results, is entitled:
"Chronobiologische Untersuchungen mit besonderer Beruecksichtigung
lunare Rhythmen im biologisch-dynamischen Pflanzenbau" and
consists of two volumes, 258 and 319 pages respectively (volumes
3 & 4 in the series published by the Institut fuer Biologisch-Dynamische
Forschung). You can get these by writing directly to
the Institute (Brandscheise 5, 64295 Darmstadt Germany).
In multi annual sowing time experiments the influence
of cosmic/terrestrial effects, especially of lunar rhythms
on growth of cultivated plants under long term biodynamic
management was examined.
Rye, radish, carrots, potatoes, beans and mustard
were examined. Field, garden and pot experiments
were conducted.
Examinations and analyses comprised time-related
data of weather, soil, plant development and formation
of yields and qualities. Detailed data on weather
and soil and the individual results of the trials are published
as an annex in a separate volume (same series, volume 4).
In all the sowing time experiments an annual
trend was observed for yield- and quality-formation. This
was related to primary growth factors such as temperature, moisture,
light, day length and growth period. The trend is
expressed by means of a polynome regression. To
facilitate a comparison between years, results were corrected
for trends.
The following lunar effects on crops were observed:
1. Rye showed most pronounced lunar rhythms
for germination in the field. In two variants in
the trial the standard cultivation was clearly related to
the synodic moon rhythm (i.e. the phases full and new moon)
and when seeds from sowings at certain constellations were
regrown for 5 generations, to the anomalistic moon rhythm
(i.e. perigee and apogee).
Yields were related to synodic and anomalistic
rhythms in the 5-year average, although only partly significant.
Seed vitality was best when the mother plants
were sown around full moon and lowest around new moon.
2. Radish yields in the 3-year-experiments
depended on the tropic moon rhythm (i.e. ascending and
descending moon) and on the anomalistic moon positions
apogee and perigee.
Shelf life and seed vitality correlated with
the syzygic-lunar rhythm of full and new moon.
3. Carrots always showed higher yields
when sown in the synodic-sideric moon-zodiac-constellation
of Virgo prior to full moon. Shelf life of grated
carrots in a moulding test then was improved.
Valuable ingredients were not related to lunar
rhythms, but to the date of sowing.
4. Potatoes showed marked differences
related to lunar rhythms, but when corrected for year, they were
not statistically significant.
Planting before full moon resulted in suppressed
yields, highest yields were achieved when planted close
to moon's perigee.
5. Beans showed significant differences
for both pod yields at first harvest and leaves.
The number of pods at first harvest ranged synodic rhythm
> tropic rhythm > anomalistic rhythm. This holds
also true for the highest positive deviation in pod yields
for sowing time at moon's perigee.
Leaf yields were significantly reduced in relation
to the tropic moon rhythm with sowing time and low moon
in the zodiac of Sagittarius and increased yields at high
moon in the zodiac of Gemini.
The main lunar rhythms resulted in the following
effects:
a) An influence of the anomalistic rhythm (perigee,
apogee) existed for all cultivated crops. Plants
sown at moon's perigee all showed positive reactions.
b) An influence of the synodic rhythm (moon
phases) existed for all cultivated crops, with marked
differences between the moon's increasing and decreasing
phases. An example for this are the experiments
with carrots and potatoes. Carrot yields were highest
when sown before full moon, whereas potato yields were lowest
at this constellation.
c) The tropic moon rhythm (ascending and descending
moon) showed effects with only some crops. Beans
reacted most pronounced; they were followed by radish and
carrots.
d) There were evident differences for yields
and qualities of all crops in relation to the sideric rhythm
(i.e. the 12 moon positions in the zodiac). These could
however be explained with the other moon rhythms mentioned above.
The influence of sideric trigon positions on
plant growth often mentioned in biodynamic literature was not
evident.
e) Some observations imply an impact of draconic
moon rhythm (moon nodes, eclipse of the moon and the sun).
f) When looking at experimental results of individual
moon rhythms, the interference of the various rhythms
must be taken into consideration.
g) The hypothesis is stated that after further
increase in knowledge it will be possible to characterise
plants according to their lunar reaction type.
h) A theoretical discussion of how lunar rhythms are effective
in plants is given.
Top
The Effects of Planting
Dates and Lunar Positions On the Yield of Carrots
Walter Goldstein and Bill Barber
Introduction
Maria Thun developed a system of planting crops
that takes into account the position of the moon relative
to the zodiacal constellations.' Calendars that give advice
based on her system are available in Europe, America, Australia,
New Zealand, Japan, Korea, and India. This system has achieved
acceptance by many practitioners because it is thought
to optimise production and because it is a useful planning
tool. In the United States the Stella Natura planting calendar
gives instructions on planting according to the Thun system.
This calendar is published and sold by the Biodynamic
Association (San Francisco, California).
In the Thun system, consideration is made of
the position of the moon relative to the twelve astronomic zodiacal
constellations, each of which is of unequal size. Favourable
planting dates are reputed to exist for root, leaf, flower,
and seed crops according to groups or trigons of the twelve
zodiacal constellations. I For example, 'root' crops (including
carrots, beets, potatoes, onions) are thought to produce
the best yields when the moon is in conjunction with the
'earth' or 'root' trigon which consists of the constellations
of the bull, Virgin, or goat-fish. Leafy vegetables are thought
to produce best in the 'water' or 'leaf' trigon (scorpion,
fishes, and crab); flower crops in the 'air' or 'flower'
trigon (waterman, twins, scales); and seed crops in the
'fire' or 'seed' trigon (archer, ram, lion).
Maria Thun developed her system partly on the
basis of her observations in research gardens. However,
the connection between zodiacal constellations and the
elements of earth, water, air, and fire are based on astrological
associations. 1
Many farmers and gardeners believe that they
have confirmed her research in their practical work. However,
effects of the zodiacal rotation of the moon (sidereal rhythm)
on organisms are unprecedented in the scientific literature.
An extensive review of the biological rhythms that are associated
with lunar rhythms showed that the phases of the moon relative
to the sun (synodic rhythm) play an important role in setting
biological rhythms (metabolism, sexuality, behaviour). ' This
is especially clear for sea-dwelling creatures and insects, but
is also true for birds and mammals, including humans. Less is
known about lunar effects on higher plants. Sidereal effects
were not reported for any organisms but this does not mean they
don't exist.
However, Hartmut Spiess did many years of experiments
under biodynamic conditions and was unable to verify the
validity of the trigon system.3,4,5,6 Crops of rye, carrots,
radishes, potatoes, beans, or peas seemed to respond to
other lunar rhythms besides the lunar-sidereal rhythm. For
example, Spiess grew carrots in three years of trials and
found that they produced the best yield and keeping quality
if they were sown a few days before the full moon. These findings
agreed with remarks from the founder of Biodynamics, Rudolf
Steiner, about the influence of the synodic lunar rhythm
on crop growth (Steiner, I997).7 They also agree with the
research results of Lily Kolisko, who, working with indications
from Steiner, found that many crops, including carrots, grew
well when planted just before the full moon. 8 Actually, Spiess
found that the different crops he tested responded differently
to the synodic rhythm (quarter phases), tropical (movement of
moon up and down relative to the ecliptic), and the anomalistic
lunar rhythm (movement towards and away from the earth). An
overview of his findings was published recently in BIODYNAMICS
magazine (Spiess, 2000).6 His results partly agree with traditional
moon planting suggestions.5,6 Spiess' results call into question
the universal validity of the recommendations that are given
in calendars such as Stella Natura, that teach the Thun system.
They have also caused controversy within circles of biodynamic
farmers and gardeners.
In this paper we describe results from a single
year of field experiments that were carried out in Wisconsin
to test the effects of planting dates and lunar positions
on the yield of carrots. We recognise the limited validity
of a single year of field trials on small plots. However, we
decided it might be useful to report these results anyway
in order to contribute to the present discussion.
Materials and Methods:
Our approach was to test plantings under the
conditions that are often met in small-scale market gardens.
The experiment took place in a market garden (Stella Gardens)
that is managed with the biodynamic method by Janet Gamble.
The garden is located behind Michael Fields Agricultural
Institute in south eastern Wisconsin. The soil is
a Warsaw silt-loam (typic Argiudoll (Brunizem)).
It is well-drained with a topsoil depth of approximately
20-30 cm (eight inches to one foot) on top of calcareous
sand and gravel glacial outwash. Soil tests showed the
pH to be 7.4 and the organic matter content was 3.8%; available
P, K, and Ca levels were 160, 280, and 2000 PPM, respectively,
and this indicated sufficient quantities of all these substances.
The field in which the garden is located had been managed
with biodynamics for at least one decade before it was
used for the trial. In that time it was rotated with
hay crops, maize, soybeans, and small grains and received
occasional applications of composted dairy manure with biodynamic
preparations. In the three years prior to our trials,
vegetables had been grown in the field in permanent raised-beds.
These beds had received compost in large quantities (approximately
88 t/ha or 40 T/acre in 1996). Work on the beds was largely
done by hand with occasional use of a rototiller for incorporating
manure. Planting was carried out using the Thun system
as a guide according to the Stella Natura calendar.
In the spring of 1997 an experiment was laid
out as a randomised, complete block design with three replications.
Three raised beds were chosen to be the replicated blocks and
seventeen plots were randomly assigned to each block-bed.
Sheep manure compost was applied at a rate of z2, t/ha (to T/acre)
to the top of the beds and incorporated while aerating
the soil to a depth of approximately 30 cm (one foot) with
a hand tool called a 'T-bar', followed by hand spading.
The beds were 122 cm (four feet) wide, the planting area on
top was approximately I02 cm (forty inches) wide and too
cm (thirty-nine inches) long for each plot. A few
days after incorporation of the compost we began seeding.
On the day of a given seeding the plots were
weeded with a hoe, then six rows of carrots were immediately
planted by hand at 15 cm (six inch) spacing between rows on top
of the beds. After emergence the seedlings were thinned
to approximately 2.5 cm (one inch) between carrots. The
variety of carrot used was Rodelika, a selection of Rothilde
that originated from the biodynamic breeder Dieter Bauer, from
Dottenfelderhof, Bad Vilbel, Germany. This variety was
chosen because Rothilde was used in Spiess' experiments and because
it produces large yields of high quality.
Seventeen planting dates were chosen to measure
the effects of the moon as it passed through sequential
zodiacal constellations. We referred to the Stella
Natura calendar to choose our planting dates, preferring
those days when the moon would be in the middle of a specific
zodiacal constellation.' Planting started on April 25 and
ended on May 31. Bed preparation and planting time
took place at approximately 16:00 hours (4:00 PM).
The beds were irrigated twice in July and August
with overhead sprinklers placed so as to produce as uniform
a watering as possible. Weeding was done by hand.
On October 2, all carrots were harvested with shovels.
Only the central 91cm (three feet) of each of the six rows was
harvested. Carrot tops were removed and roots were
weighed to determine yields.
It is difficult to separate the effect of a specific
lunar constellation from the general growth of the crop
during the season. In order to do this we used a
technique developed by Spiess. 3,4,5 Using this method,
our data for average yields on different days of planting
were used to calculate a polynomial equation. This
equation produced a line that described the general trend
of effects that were due to planting at different times in
the spring. The data for individual plantings were then
compared with the trend line for all of the replicates.
The percent deviation from the trend line was calculated.
These values were then analysed with a two-way analysis of variance
using a statistical analysis package (SAS for the personal computer).
We utilised statistical contrasts (single degree of freedom)
to compare the yields obtained for each specific trigon with
the general yield levels for all other trigons. We also
used contrasts to test whether specific planting days that were
of interest differed significantly from the general yield level.
These days of interest included the day before the full moon
(May 27) in order to test the results reported by Spiess. 5
They also included the days when planting coincided with a
lunar phase transition (the new moon and the moon in third
quarter or May 6 and May 29 respectively).
Results
The results of the individual planting dates
are summarised in Table 1 (not included yet). Yields were
unexpectedly high and tapered strongly as the season progressed.
The initial four planting dates produced an average yield Of
97 t/ha (forty three T/acre). The last four planting
dates produced an average yield Of 56 t/ha (25 T/acre).
The yield data, expressed as deviations from the seasonal
trend, showed a lot of variation. These data fit a normal
distribution, which allowed us to continue to analyse the
data further without any numerical transformation.
The relationship between the day of planting
in the course of the season and the yield and seasonal trend
is shown in Diagram i. The polynomial equation that described
the seasonal trend is:
the yield In kg/ha = 94.8 + 0.3x - 0 - 03 8X2
where x was the day of planting.
According to this equation the day of planting
accounted for 85.4 percent of the variation of the yield
(p< 1 %). The effects of different planting dates
can be more easily visualised by standardising the trend
line at too percent and showing yields on sequential planting
days as percentages of that (Diagram 2 )(not included
yet).
Visual inspection of the diagrams suggests that
the variations in the yields of carrots were often great
at the quarters of the moon according to the synodic rhythm.
Relative low yields are noticeable when planting occurred at
the new moon and the third quarter. The highest yield
relative to the trend-line was achieved when planting occurred
just before the full moon.
At question is whether effects of phases or trigons
had statistically valid effects on carrot yields.
Scientists generally only accept the validity of differences
if statistical tests of probability are 95 percent certain
(P = 5%). There is some willingness to accept that there
may be some level of significance when the probability is
go percent certain (P=10%). In general, the lower the
level of p the more acceptable the idea that a significant
difference might exist.
The variability of the yields for different planting
dates was high for some dates and not for others (Table
1, data for standard deviations), which probably indicates
some variability of soil within the beds. The analysis
of variance of the data showed that overall effects of
individual planting dates relative to the trend line differed
only at p = 10%. The contrasts showed that planting during
the root trigon tended (P = 7%) to lower yields by 7 Percent
(5.1 tons/ha or 2.3 T/acre) compared to planting during
other trigons. There were no effects due to planting
during the other trigons.
On the other hand, planting one day before the
full moon had the highest positive effect, by causing
an increase of yield by 15 percent (11.55 t/ha or 5.1T/acre).
This percent increase was statistically significant at p =
1%. Planting during the new moon seemed to decrease
yields by 12 percent (10.9 t/ha or 4.9 T/acre) but the significance
level was p = 11%. Planting during third quarter reduced
yield by 17 percent (9-7 t/ha or 4.3 T/acre). This
contrast was significant at p = 2%.
Discussion
The results from this trial are of limited value
because they describe only a single year of trials on
small plots. Furthermore, the overall F test for significance
of differences between planting dates was only marginally
significant. Nevertheless, the results seem to indicate
that planting carrots according to the root trigon did
not have a positive effect on yield at our site. The
variations in the data also indicate that synodic lunar phases
may play a more important role for carrots. The
results are in agreement with results obtained by Spiess in
that the highest relative yields were achieved when carrots
were planted just before the full moon. 5 The variations of
yield associated with different plantings and lunar positions
may be of economic importance under commercial conditions.
However, it is also important to recognise the overwhelming
significance of an early planting for the yield of carrots,
at least in 1997 on this site.
The issue of bias in attitude is often mentioned
by practitioners in relationship to research in biodynamics,
especially in regards to a subject as controversial as
that of lunar plantings. We do not think that bias
was a pertinent issue in our experiment. In this experiment
Walter Goldstein set out the experiment, analysed the results,
and wrote this paper. The vast majority of the field-work
(including weeding, planting, harvesting, and weighing
yields), was carried out by Bill Barber. Both researchers
strove to maintain an open mind towards the planting calendar
and dates chosen for the experiment. In fact, Bill, who
did sixteen out of seventeen plantings, knew hardly anything
about the controversy with the Thun planting system at the
time of the experiment.
References
1) S. Wildfeuer, Stella Natura ,9,97 (Kimberton,
Pennsyl-
vania: Bio-Dynamic Press, 1997).
2) K.P. Endres and W Schad, Biologie des
Mondes
(Stuttgart: S. Hirzel Publisher, 1997).
3) H. Spiess, "Chronological Investigations
of Crops Grown Under Biodynamic Management. i. Experiments
with Seeding Dates to Ascertain the Effects of Lunar rhythms
on the Growth of Winter Rye (Secale cereale, cv. Nomaro)
", Biological Agriculture and Horticulture 7 (iggo): 165-178.
4) Ibid., "Chronological Investigations of Crops
Grown Under Blodynamic Management. z. Experiments with
Seeding Dates to Ascertain the Effects of Lunar Rhythms on
the Growth of Little Radish (Raphanus sativus, cv. Parat)":
179-I89.
5) , Chronologische Untersuchungen mit beson-
deter Beruecksichtigung lunarer rythmen im biologisch-dynamischen
Pflanzenbau. Schriftenreihe: Band 3. (Darmstadt:
Institut fuer Biologisch-Dynamische Forschung, I994).
German language. In English: "Chronological Research
with Special Consideration of Lunar Rhythms in Biodynamic
Crop Production."
6) , "Lunar Rhythms and Plants," BIODYNAMICS
229 (2000): 19-21.
7) R. Steiner, Spiritual Foundations for the
Renewal of Agriculture, (Kimberton, Pennsylvania: Bio-Dynamic
Press, 1993).
8) L. Kolisko, Moon and Plant Growth (Bournemouth,
England: Kolisko Archive, 1978).
Walter Goldstein holds a Ph.D. in agronomy and
is Research Director and Education Coordinator at the
Michael Fields Agricultural Institute, W2493 County Road,
ES, East Troy, Wisconsin, 53120. He is currently involved
in a number of research projects and travels throughout the
US and abroad to consult with prospective biodynamic farmers.
He has a thirty-five acre Demeter certified farm with 150 sheep.
Following excerpt from report by Malcolm Gardner
Dr. Spiess reported the results of this
and several other experiments already back in 1990 in
the English-language journal, Biological Agriculture
and Horticulture, vol. 7, pp. 165-189. Regarding
his work with radishes over three years, he wrote (p. 187):
"the long-term results found here do not confirm the relationship
between trigons and root
and leaf yields that were reported by Thun.
These relationships were not confirmed, despite the fact
that the highest positive deviations in yield of roots
were found when the moon was in the constellation of Capricorn
which
belongs to the 'earth' or 'root' trigon."
In other words, he could not find any evidence for a "trigon
rhythm," although he did find that the highest root yields
coincided with the period when the Moon was in one of the
"earth" constellations. At these times, however, the Moon
was also at perigee (nearest the earth). He concluded that
"lunar factors" were large enough to be of practical significance,
but because there are so many overlapping lunar rhythms, he stressed
that "the problem is complex and more systematic research
of a basic nature is needed to clarify causal relationships."
Top
Research Table Summary
Walter Goldstein & Bill Barker 1997
"The Effects of Planting dates and Lunar Positions
on the Yield of Carrots"
Hartmut Spiess 1990
"Chronological Effects of Plants grown under
Biodynamic management"
reported in BIODYNAMICS 2000 issue 229
Following table developed by Brian
Keats is derived from the above research papers.
It summarises at what lunar aspect
planting researchers obtained greater yields by weight.
|
Crop/Moon
|
Wax
|
Wan
|
1Q
|
3Q
|
Asc
|
Desc
|
Pg
|
Ag
|
Node#
|
F
|
N |
Zod |
| BeanLeaves |
|
|
|
|
^
|
x
|
^
|
x
|
x
|
|
|
|
| Bean Pods |
|
|
|
|
^
|
x
|
^
|
x
|
x
|
|
|
|
| Carrots |
^
|
x
|
|
x
|
^
|
x
|
^
|
x
|
x
|
^
|
x
|
Virgo* |
| Potatoes |
x
|
|
|
|
|
|
^
|
x
|
x
|
x
|
|
|
| Radish |
|
|
|
|
^
|
x
|
^
|
x
|
x
|
|
|
|
| Rye |
x
|
x
|
|
|
|
|
^
|
x
|
x
|
^
|
|
|
| Peas |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Lunar Aspects Key
| Wax |
Waxing Moon - heading towards Full Moon |
| Wan |
Waning Moon - heading towards New Moon |
| 1Q |
Moon
Phase 1st Quarter |
| 3Q |
Moon Phase
3rd Quarter |
| Asc |
Towards
Peak Ascension (curve going up in Antipodean Astro Calendar) |
| Desc |
Towards
Peak Descension (curve going down in Antipodean Astro
Calendar) |
| Pg |
Around
Perigee Moon (Moon closest to Earth in its orbital
path) |
| Ag |
Around
Apogee Moon (Moon farthest from Earth in its orbital
path) |
| Node |
At a
descending or ascending Lunar Node |
| Zod |
Constellation
of the Sidereal Zodiac that the Moon is in front of |
| F |
1-2 days before
Full Moon (more specific than waxing) |
| N |
1-2 days before
New Moon (more specific than waning) |
| ^ |
Increased
yields |
| x |
Decreased
yields |
* These researches were
done in the northern hemisphere where Virgo is a descending
constellation. The Moon was also waxing.
#Nodes were not specifically
tested for.
Comment:- These researches indicate quantitative effects
like weight of yield. Qualitative effects like smell or taste
or vitality were not sought and will be hard to objectively discern.
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