Abstract
Biodynamic agriculture is one organic farming system that has emerged as an alternative response to the high-chemical input farming systems commonly practiced today. Previous research has presented clear benefits of biodynamics on soil and biological health, but few comparisons have been drawn between biodynamic and low-impact organic systems. This study tested for differences between these two systems in a design that compared the growth of three crops (beans, carrots, and chard) in two adjacent garden beds. Crop yield was predicted to be higher in the biodynamic bed, and significant differences among vegetative, soil, and faunal indices were anticipated between the two treatments. The results of this study did not support either of these hypotheses, and low-impact organic farming demonstrated parallel competence to the improvement of soil quality and biological activity as much as the biodynamic treatment. Future investigations into effects on crop productivity, soil stabilization, and food web dynamics would enrich comparisons between biodynamic and organic agriculture.
How to Cite
Diera, A., (2014) “Effects of Biodynamic and Organic Garden Treatments on Crop Yield, Soil Properties, and Microarthropod Communities”, Capstone, The UNC Asheville Journal of Undergraduate Scholarship 27(2).
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