xxxiii
Introduction to the Book
at this scale. The wholeworld-view is explored through the study of infodynamics, which focuses on
informational patterns and content that reveal deeper implicit dimensions that inform and underlie our
manifest physical world. The chapter ends with an exploration of the infodynamics of living systems
as thrivability systems, and how this can be applied to the design principles and processes for developing the agroecological farming systems of tomorrow.
Section 2: the interSection of wave-BaSed Science and agriculture
This section comprises eight chapters that draw chiefly from empirical studies in the applied natural
sciences, about techniques and technologies that are in commercial practice in the agri-food sector.
It starts with a review of the mitigating effects of electromagnetic fields on plants sown under environmental stress conditions in Cuba (Chapter 9, De Souza-Torres). Focusing on static and alternating magnetic fields and pulsed fields in the range of extremely low frequencies, it shows how they
exhibit a mitigating effect on key impact factors including drought, salinity, ultraviolet light, heavy
metal toxicity, high temperatures, pathogens, bacteria, fungi and viruses. They do this by improving
seed vigour, plant growth, water relations, photosynthesis, accumulation of biomass and concentration of defence secondary metabolites, and reducing free radicals and oxidative stress due to the
activation of plant defence mechanisms. Shifting to the impact of sound waves on plant growth,
Chapter 10 (Prévost et al.) explains how the emission of acoustic waves of a quantum nature during gene expression in living organisms may be predicted through the discipline of genodics. Using
this approach and without the use of any other inputs, it describes experiments and treatments
undertaken in France to address grapevine trunk diseases in viticulture, and in particular Esca, a
destructive disease of the woody tissues of grapevine, as well as bacterial and virus diseases in market gardening. The results of some of these treatment projects on vines, endives and courgettes are
provided, indicating a significant reduction in the impact of pathogens on agricultural production,
and confirming the reliability of the method as a no-input treatment for plant pathologies for a more
rational agriculture. Chapter 11 (Jovchelevich) moves to Brazil and skywards to consider the influence of astronomical rhythms on the yield and quality of carrot roots sown on different dates under
biodynamic management. It commences by providing examples of the use of ethno-astronomy in
the South, as well as selected scientific research on the influence of the moon on plants and animals
including in biodynamic agriculture. Field trials were carried out over two periods on a biodynamic
farm in Botucatu, São Paulo State, and the effects associated with planting at specific lunar positions were measured by the deviations from the trend curve. Although several characteristics were
evaluated, dry root mass was the only one that, in the contrast between averages, showed significant
results in the two periods of the experiment and suggested that sowing during the synodic new
phase produced better results than sowing during other lunar phases. Returning to electromagnetic
parameters, Chapter 12 (Moerman) presents a snapshot of the work that scientists have undertaken
on electromagnetic phenomena in plants. It gives a brief explanation of the measurable electric
parameters and which of those look the most promising to expand the growers’ toolbox for monitoring plant growth and to provide better information to support decisions. It also discusses bioelectric
methods that can help with simple and cheap comparisons of product health quality. These methods
help to change the notion that plant growth is only about physiology, yet more in-depth and systematic work is needed. The chapter concludes by reflecting on the lack of commercial breakthroughs
in this sector.
Research on agro-homeopathy (Chapter 13, Boff et al.) is included in this section because its
working principle appears to involve the action of electromagnetic waves. Providing an integrated
account of the nature, effectiveness and potential of homeopathy for sustainable agriculture, it commences with an overview of the science of homeopathy and the art of healing throughout history. It
then looks at homeopathic preparations and their modes of action, addressing controversial issues
through the scientific literature. The contribution of homeopathy to sustainable agricultural systems
is reviewed, including for family farmers, animals and plants, with practical examples from Brazil.
Introduction to the Book
at this scale. The wholeworld-view is explored through the study of infodynamics, which focuses on
informational patterns and content that reveal deeper implicit dimensions that inform and underlie our
manifest physical world. The chapter ends with an exploration of the infodynamics of living systems
as thrivability systems, and how this can be applied to the design principles and processes for developing the agroecological farming systems of tomorrow.
Section 2: the interSection of wave-BaSed Science and agriculture
This section comprises eight chapters that draw chiefly from empirical studies in the applied natural
sciences, about techniques and technologies that are in commercial practice in the agri-food sector.
It starts with a review of the mitigating effects of electromagnetic fields on plants sown under environmental stress conditions in Cuba (Chapter 9, De Souza-Torres). Focusing on static and alternating magnetic fields and pulsed fields in the range of extremely low frequencies, it shows how they
exhibit a mitigating effect on key impact factors including drought, salinity, ultraviolet light, heavy
metal toxicity, high temperatures, pathogens, bacteria, fungi and viruses. They do this by improving
seed vigour, plant growth, water relations, photosynthesis, accumulation of biomass and concentration of defence secondary metabolites, and reducing free radicals and oxidative stress due to the
activation of plant defence mechanisms. Shifting to the impact of sound waves on plant growth,
Chapter 10 (Prévost et al.) explains how the emission of acoustic waves of a quantum nature during gene expression in living organisms may be predicted through the discipline of genodics. Using
this approach and without the use of any other inputs, it describes experiments and treatments
undertaken in France to address grapevine trunk diseases in viticulture, and in particular Esca, a
destructive disease of the woody tissues of grapevine, as well as bacterial and virus diseases in market gardening. The results of some of these treatment projects on vines, endives and courgettes are
provided, indicating a significant reduction in the impact of pathogens on agricultural production,
and confirming the reliability of the method as a no-input treatment for plant pathologies for a more
rational agriculture. Chapter 11 (Jovchelevich) moves to Brazil and skywards to consider the influence of astronomical rhythms on the yield and quality of carrot roots sown on different dates under
biodynamic management. It commences by providing examples of the use of ethno-astronomy in
the South, as well as selected scientific research on the influence of the moon on plants and animals
including in biodynamic agriculture. Field trials were carried out over two periods on a biodynamic
farm in Botucatu, São Paulo State, and the effects associated with planting at specific lunar positions were measured by the deviations from the trend curve. Although several characteristics were
evaluated, dry root mass was the only one that, in the contrast between averages, showed significant
results in the two periods of the experiment and suggested that sowing during the synodic new
phase produced better results than sowing during other lunar phases. Returning to electromagnetic
parameters, Chapter 12 (Moerman) presents a snapshot of the work that scientists have undertaken
on electromagnetic phenomena in plants. It gives a brief explanation of the measurable electric
parameters and which of those look the most promising to expand the growers’ toolbox for monitoring plant growth and to provide better information to support decisions. It also discusses bioelectric
methods that can help with simple and cheap comparisons of product health quality. These methods
help to change the notion that plant growth is only about physiology, yet more in-depth and systematic work is needed. The chapter concludes by reflecting on the lack of commercial breakthroughs
in this sector.
Research on agro-homeopathy (Chapter 13, Boff et al.) is included in this section because its
working principle appears to involve the action of electromagnetic waves. Providing an integrated
account of the nature, effectiveness and potential of homeopathy for sustainable agriculture, it commences with an overview of the science of homeopathy and the art of healing throughout history. It
then looks at homeopathic preparations and their modes of action, addressing controversial issues
through the scientific literature. The contribution of homeopathy to sustainable agricultural systems
is reviewed, including for family farmers, animals and plants, with practical examples from Brazil.