![]() ![]() 4 This moisture encourages the germination rate and plant metabolism. 4 Some studies have reported that the moon appears to exhibit tidal effects on groundwater tables, 5 creating more moisture in the soil at the time of new and full moon days. Scientific studies reveal that more than six hundred organisms have links to lunar rhythms either in their reproductive cycles or in their feeding habits. 3 Every fraction of the earth is subjected to the changes that are based on the positions of earth, moon, and sun. Moisture, moon’s phase and its relation to gravitational forces are directly reflected in development of life forms. 2 It is a well-known fact that moisture content is an inevitable factor from seed germination to harvest including pest and disease management during the crop cycle. 1 However, use of organic farm inputs (monitoring resources) has many challenges such as germination of seeds, nematodes, insect pests and disease incidences encountered during cropping and resultant reduction in yields. Among the different systems of ecological agriculture, biodynamic agriculture is regenerative in its approach and focuses on utilization of natural resources for self-sufficiency of all farm inputs. The current conventional systems of agriculture need a radical shift to a more gentle and resilient system of agriculture that could meet the needs of the growing population and simultaneously restore the ecosystems. Keywords: biodynamic agriculture, planting calendar, lunar rhythms Abbreviations Planting in sync with lunar rhythms is a zero-cost input for the farmers to take advantage for enhancing crop production and simultaneously improve the quality of byproducts. Compared to studies on biodynamic preparations, manures and their effect on crop, few studies on planting by moon rhythms are reported under field condition. Though several subjective insights are shared by the farmers there is a need for region-specific scientific studies to evaluate those experiences objectively. Planting based on the lunar cycles is an important component of biodynamic agriculture. Since these are non-monitoring inputs, more insights into rhythms and their physiological response that results in high-end physiological and biochemical characterization of various parts of plant is warranted. The scientific understanding of rhythms and its reflection through 12 zodiac signs are evident in multiple germination studies, growth and yield analysis on crops. Studies reveal seed germination, growth and production of crops are appraised due to the lunar influences. In biodynamic agriculture, lunar rhythms are used as a calendar for scheduling farming operations like tilling, planting and harvesting of crops. An attempt is made to review the salient research findings of the application of astronomical ephemeris in agriculture. ![]()
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