1.2 Contact details of resource persons and institutions involved in the assessment and documentation of the Technology

1.3 Conditions regarding the use of data documented through WOCAT

The compiler and key resource person(s) accept the conditions regarding the use of data documented through WOCAT:

Yes

1.4 Declaration on sustainability of the described Technology

Is the Technology described here problematic with regard to land degradation, so that it cannot be declared a sustainable land management technology?

No

1.5 Reference to Questionnaire(s) on SLM Approaches (documented using WOCAT)

Fruit trees under biodynamic agricultural management in southern … [Spain]

Biodynamic farming is a method of farming that aims to treat the farm as a living system, based on the application of specific organic preparations which stimulate the natural functions of the farm soils and provide the necessary component towards a self-sustaining agro-ecological farm management.

• Compiler: Alicia Morugán-Coronado
• 05/29/2017 7:39 p.m.

2.1 Short description of the Technology

Definition of the Technology:

Application of 'preparation number 500', commonly known as cow horn manure. Preparation 500 is made by filling a cow's horn with cow dung, and burying it in the soil during the cooler months to turn into dark humus. This is then sprayed up to four times a year over the orchard.

2.2 Detailed description of the Technology

Description:

1. Preparation 500 application in agricultural soils under a biodynamic management is applied in a flat orchard of 40 ha located in Jumilla in southeastern Spain. It is sited in the north east of the Murcia region, on the Altiplano area, close to the towns of Cieza and Yecla. This area has an important agricultural activity where the main plantations are vineyards, but as well orchards of different mediterranean fruits. Jumilla is a Spanish Denominación de Origen (DO) for wines that extends over the north of the region of Murcia.

2. This technology is based on the application of the preparation number 500, commonly known as cow horn manure. Preparation 500 is made by filling a cow's horn with cow dung every year, and burying it in the soil during the cooler months (November through February). The horns should be buried open end down so that they will not become water logged if the pit is over watered. When the preparation is ready after 4 months it should have turned into dark humus. It should then be stored in a cool place and in glazed, isolated pots. It is sprayed up to four times a year. The best times are in October and November and then again in February and March. It is stirred for one hour making a vortex. The Horn Manure preparation 500 should be diluted in good-quality rainwater that has been properly stored. The preparation is then stirred vigorously for exactly one hour before spraying. The water should be heated before stirring, ideally to body temperature. Spraying in the field area should be done in the evening, not before 5 pm (4 pm in winter) on a day that is not too windy or too hot, avoiding direct sunlight. A slightly overcast, late afternoon is ideal. Avoid spraying in the rain, or if heavy rains are forecasted after spraying. Don't spray if night frost is expected, in order to ensure the correct working of preparation 500.

3. The main purpose of this technology is to sustain living soils, since application of ‘Preparation 500’ is intended to increase soil bacteria life, enhance the earthworm activity, promote rooting and greater absorption and retention of water.

4. The flat tree orchard was already under organic farming management (since 1998) before the current technology was applied. In 2014 the farmer changed the agricultural management on his own initiative to biodynamic practice with the same crop. The major new activity was the elaboration of the preparation 500, that is sprayed out in the orchard after the weeds are cutted. Secondary activities focus on maintaining the preparation 500 during the rest of the year and on improving the soil by keeping a permanent vegetation cover and reducing the tillage.

5. There were several benefits observed after this technology was applied: regarding the soil quality a strong humus layer was formed and organic matter increased. In general the soil structure improved. Another positive impact was the response against plagues: the establishment of this self-sustaining agro-ecosystem as a whole increases the biodiversity and the beneficial species in the orchard.

6. The land user is satisfied with the results of this technology in his orchard because it opened him a new market sector - the biodynamic farm market. The fruit quality and the soil characteristics improved, soil organic matter, soil structure and response against plagues were enhanced. On the other hand, the land user mentioned as challenging factors the big amount of money to change the agricultural management to biodynamic farming and the great effort to get the Preparation 500 and the external organization certifications, which are expensive.

2.3 Photos of the Technology

2.4 Videos of the Technology

2.5 Country/ region/ locations where the Technology has been applied and which are covered by this assessment

Country:

Spain

Region/ State/ Province:

Murcia

Further specification of location:

Jumilla

Specify the spread of the Technology:

• evenly spread over an area

If precise area is not known, indicate approximate area covered:

• 0.1-1 km2

Map

×

2.6 Date of implementation

Indicate year of implementation:

2014

2.7 Introduction of the Technology

Specify how the Technology was introduced:

• through land users' innovation

3.1 Main purpose(s) of the Technology

• improve production
• reduce, prevent, restore land degradation

3.2 Current land use type(s) where the Technology is applied

Land use mixed within the same land unit:

Yes

Specify mixed land use (crops/ grazing/ trees):

• Agroforestry

Cropland

• Perennial (non-woody) cropping
• Tree and shrub cropping

Tree and shrub cropping - Specify crops:

• grapes

• flat peaches (Prunus persica var. platycarpa), mediterranean fruits

Number of growing seasons per year:

• 1

Comments:

Organic farming was established in 1998. In 2014 the farmer changed the agricultural management to biodynamic practice with the same crop on his own initiative.

3.4 Water supply

Water supply for the land on which the Technology is applied:

• full irrigation

3.5 SLM group to which the Technology belongs

• integrated soil fertility management

3.6 SLM measures comprising the Technology

agronomic measures

• A2: Organic matter/ soil fertility
• A3: Soil surface treatment

3.7 Main types of land degradation addressed by the Technology

chemical soil deterioration

• Cn: fertility decline and reduced organic matter content (not caused by erosion)

physical soil deterioration

• Pk: slaking and crusting
• Pu: loss of bio-productive function due to other activities

biological degradation

• Bq: quantity/ biomass decline
• Bs: quality and species composition/ diversity decline

3.8 Prevention, reduction, or restoration of land degradation

Specify the goal of the Technology with regard to land degradation:

• prevent land degradation
• reduce land degradation

4.1 Technical drawing of the Technology

4.2 General information regarding the calculation of inputs and costs

Specify how costs and inputs were calculated:

• per Technology area

other/ national currency (specify):

Euro

If relevant, indicate exchange rate from USD to local currency (e.g. 1 USD = 79.9 Brazilian Real): 1 USD =:

0.944508

4.3 Establishment activities

Comments:

all the costs are for the 40 ha together

4.4 Costs and inputs needed for establishment

Comments:

all the costs are for the 40 ha together

4.5 Maintenance/ recurrent activities

Comments:

all the costs are for the 40 ha together

4.6 Costs and inputs needed for maintenance/ recurrent activities (per year)

Comments:

The price of external certification is very high.

4.7 Most important factors affecting the costs

Describe the most determinate factors affecting the costs:

Unforseen weather is always a risk in conventional as well as in bio-dynamic agriculture. The rainy days, high temperatures and direct sunlight can affect the correct application of preparation 500 and could cause a decrease in the orchard production.

5.1 Climate

5.2 Topography

Indicate if the Technology is specifically applied in:

• not relevant

Comments and further specifications on topography:

411 m a.s.l.

5.3 Soils

If available, attach full soil description or specify the available information, e.g. soil type, soil PH/ acidity, Cation Exchange Capacity, nitrogen, salinity etc.

1157 µS/cm; pH 8; 12% clay, 36% silt; 52% sand; 5.7% organic matter; 5 g/kg Nitrogen; 265 mg (kg available phosphorus).

5.4 Water availability and quality

Is water salinity a problem?

Yes

Specify:

Excessive salt content in the irrigation water

Is flooding of the area occurring?

No

5.5 Biodiversity

5.6 Characteristics of land users applying the Technology

5.7 Average area of land used by land users applying the Technology

5.8 Land ownership, land use rights, and water use rights

Land ownership:

• individual, titled

Land use rights:

• individual

Water use rights:

• communal (organized)

5.9 Access to services and infrastructure

6.1 On-site impacts the Technology has shown

Socio-economic impacts

Production

Income and costs

Socio-cultural impacts

Ecological impacts

Water cycle/ runoff

Soil

Biodiversity: vegetation, animals

6.2 Off-site impacts the Technology has shown

6.3 Exposure and sensitivity of the Technology to gradual climate change and climate-related extremes/ disasters (as perceived by land users)

Gradual climate change

Gradual climate change

Climate-related extremes (disasters)

Climatological disasters

Biological disasters

6.4 Cost-benefit analysis

How do the benefits compare with the establishment costs (from land users’ perspective)?

How do the benefits compare with the maintenance/ recurrent costs (from land users' perspective)?

6.5 Adoption of the Technology

• single cases/ experimental

Of all those who have adopted the Technology, how many did so spontaneously, i.e. without receiving any material incentives/ payments?

• 91-100%

6.6 Adaptation

Has the Technology been modified recently to adapt to changing conditions?

No

6.7 Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities of the Technology

6.8 Weaknesses/ disadvantages/ risks of the Technology and ways of overcoming them

7.1 Methods/ sources of information

7.2 References to available publications

Title, author, year, ISBN:

no

7.3 Links to relevant online information

Title/ description:

Web page

URL:

http://www.frutasvargas.com/