biointensive Microphone-agriculture

The biointensive microphone-agriculture is a agricultural Système aiming at producing a complete Alimentation on a small surface while enriching in Humus the cultivated ground. The goal of this method is a production Alimentaire Soutenable, based on a self-fertilizing and autonomous system in seed S.

History

It is about a method developed at the 20th century by the Master Horticulteur English Alan Chadwick, it is inspired partly by the Agriculture biodynamics and the method of Maraîchage known as intensive Frenchwoman.

Biodynamy it takes again the absence of Intrant S (thus creating self-fertilizing agricultural systems), the vegetable trade-guild, the use of certain preparations containing Plante S, and the attention with the synodical lunar cycle (the increasing/decreasing, new moon/full moon) for the Semis.

French intensive method it resumes work on hillocks prepared by double-digging, and the minimization of the spacing of the plants. The clean contributions of Alan Chadwick relate to on the one hand the use of variety-populations or old varieties (not of hybrid F1 nor of varieties resulting from the " Green revolution ") and proportions of surfaces devoted to the three large types of plants which are cultivated there (see low)

Great principles

1. Culture on hillocks with double-digging (i.e. work of the ground on a depth of two irons of spade, is approximately 60 cm) initial. Thereafter, when the ground acquires a good structure, it is not worked and the compost incorporates in it only surfaces some, and one loosens it without reversal using a Grelinette or similar tool. The loosening of in-depth ground allows a better ventilation at the same time as a better penetration of the Eau (what limits the requirements in watering), and allows a major development racinaire. That will make it possible the plants to go to seek more easily certain nutrients located in-depth, and to be planted in a tighter way without they being obstructed on the level racinaire.

2. Contributions in Organic matter humifiante (Compost, Mulch), this matter being produced by the plants themselves. Thus no external organic contribution is essential after the first year of culture.

3. Sowing/plantations in quincunxes for better using space (not lines and empty bands between them) by respecting the distances from specific sowings/plantation to each plant. This mode of plantation generates a Microclimat fresher and wet on the surface of the ground, which limits the requirements in watering. It in addition ensures a better resistance of the plants the Vent.

4. Association of species to reciprocal benefit (or " plants compagnes"), and rotationes of crops according to their requirements in Nitrogen. These two practices well-known and are applied in all the agro-ecological practices.

5. Use of three great types of plants:

  • the plants with grains , with high heating content and proteinic per gram of food, account for 60% of the surface cultivated. They are their stems and their sheets which will provide humus for the whole of the plantations. It is thus about a self-fertilizing system. These plants are inter alia broad beans, the buckwheat, the Quinoa, the Amaranthe, the Tournesol, the Noisetier, and all the Céréale S. Although it is not a plant with grains, the Topinambour between also in this category because it produces an important air biomass.

  • the vegetable-roots and bulbs with strong heating and proteinic productivity per unit of area, account for 30% of the surface cultivated. These plants are the Potato, the Sweet potato, the garlic, the Panais, the Salsifi, the Scorsonère, the Bardane, the Rutabaga, the Navet (if one consumes also the fans), the Poireau, the Oignon.

  • the vegetable-sheets, vegetable-fruits, peas and beans , account for 10% of the surface cultivated.

These proportions were thought according to the requirements in biomass for the production for humus, as well as human food needs. For this last point one will take care in particular, if cereals are cultivated, to cultivate sufficient fabacées (broad beans, beans, pea) for complémenter their contribution proteinic.

6. Self-production of seeds , use of variety-populations.

7. Need for putting these 6 things into practice at the same time . The fact of planting tight can give good outputs only if the ground is amended in-depth humus and is loosened. On another side, the plants with grains can indeed provide the humus necessary to the whole of the cultures, but provided that all is planted tight, thus using a minimal surface.

Advantages

  • It enriches the ground in Humus and the development of the associated living beings allows it (Champignon S, Bactérie S, Vers of ground etc)
  • It fixes a great quantity of atmospheric Carbone per unit of area in the form of humus.
  • It does not require any expensive tools or énergivore
  • It allows a durable food autonomy, without Intrant, on a small surface (440 m ² on average for a total food autonomy in mode végétalien and for one season of 6 months growth). Of course it is not a question of a method reserved for the végétaliens, only in the idea to minimize surface necessary to produce its food, the food végétalienne is that which requires less surface to cultivate, this is why it is proposed in this method.
  • It makes it possible to the minimum to reduce the food share of our Empreinte ecological, on the one hand because of weak surface cultivated necessary, on the other hand because of absence of transport and industrial transformation of food.
  • From the weak surface cultivated necessary, it makes it possible to leave place for the development of ecosystem S savages.
  • It answers the need for decreasing the ground surface cultivated to nourish itself, knowing that currently average surface available is approximately 2500 m ² by anybody and that this surface tends to decrease.
  • the self-production of seeds of variety-populations makes it possible to contribute to safeguard the Biodiversité crop plants.

Disadvantages

  • the initial double-digging can represent an significant effort, in particular if the ground is compact.
  • It is necessary to apply the various principles mentioned at the same time above.
  • Of the compost is necessary to the beginning.
  • the ground must present a natural fertility in elements phosphorus and potassium, which are always of telluric origin.

See too

External bonds

Fr: Conference of John Jeavons, 1 {{Re}} partie
Fr: Conference of John Jeavons, 2nde partie

in: Ecology Action, organization promotrice of microphone-agriculture biointensive.
in: the experiments of the CASFS, Centers for the Bearable Agroecologie and Food Systems (Center for Agroecology & Sustainable Food Systems) the University of California, Santa Cruz
in: Application in a Community farm to the North of Californie
in: Page on this subject by Bagelhole.org, site aiming at helping individuals and communities to evolve to bearable and autonomous lifestyles.

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