When
the study is concluded, it will become the doctoral thesis of Forestry
Engineer Patrícia Carneiro Souto. She is a CAPES scholar in the
Agronomy PhD Program at Paraíba Federal University, working under the
supervision of Professors Dr. Jacob Silva Souto and Dr. José Romilson
Paes de Miranda, of the Forestry Engineering Department, Patos (Paraíba)
Campus, Campina Grande Federal University (UFCG), with the
participation of CNPq scholarship students of Scientific Initiation
and volunteers from the Forestry Engineering Graduation Course.
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It is
important to stress that work on the nutrient cycles in the
caatinga region is rare. It is common knowledge that the
absorption and return of nutrients, in annual terms, may be greater in
tropical forests than in other types of vegetation. These nutrients
(nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, calcium, magnesium, sulfur, etc.),
originating mostly from dead biomass (leaves, branches, flowers,
fruit, trunks, dead roots, etc.), are attacked by organisms from the
soil. The knowledge of all this structure may be used as an indicator
of the way the system works, providing information on the degree of
deterioration or recovery of a particular area.
The
execution of this work, which has the unlimited support of the owner
of Fazenda Tamanduá, Dr. Pierre Landolt, is of fundamental importance
for the region, considering that, for a period of two years, the
amount of leaves, branches, bark, flowers, fruit and other materials
that collect in gathering boxes distributed in the area will be
studied on a monthly basis, as well as the decomposition of this
material by organisms in the soil, using nylon bags containing litter
from the study area.
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Forestry Engineer Patrícia Carneiro Souto
collecting
leaves, branches,
flowers, fruit, trunks, dead roots, etc |
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In
the same experimental area, data relating to CO2 emission
from the soil are also collected monthly, during the daytime and
nighttime periods. This information will be extremely important in
order to acquire better knowledge of the caatinga region, with
regard to carbon sequestration. |
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In order to quantify the CO2
rising from the soil, a solution of
KOH 0.5 N in glass containers, covered by plastic buckets,
is used |
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In order to quantify the CO2 rising from the soil, a
solution of KOH 0.5 N in glass containers, covered by plastic
buckets, is used. After a 12-hour period, from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00
p.m., and again from 7:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m., corresponding to the
day and night periods, respectively, the samples are collected in
the field, hermetically sealed and then transported to the Soil
and Water Laboratory of the Forestry Engineering Department of the
UFCG, to be titrated with a solution of HCl 0.1 N in order to
quantify the CO2 retained in each sample.
At the same time as the litter is collected, samples of soil are
taken in order to determine micro-organisms (bacteria and fungi)
and, using steel volumetric rings, soil + litter is collected in
order to extract and count the mesofauna (acarids, springtails,
beetles and other organisms up to 1.0 mm in length). |
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The Fifth Annual Inspection by
Instituto Biodinâmico (IBD) |
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Pedro Jovchelevich,
general manager
of the Biodynamic Association (ABD)
and
Biodynamic
Institute (IBD) inspector for Demeter properties,
accompanied by Cláudio Rodrigues Anders, a young inspector from
Natal (State of Rio Grande do Norte), carried out the annual
inspection at Fazenda Tamanduá on March 11 and 12. Pedro, who
carried out the last inspection in August, 2003, decided to change
the dates of the
visit so as to get to know the farm at the time when life and
agricultural activity is at its peak, that is, during the rainy
season. |
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Forage
sorghum |
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Thus, accompanied by Pierre and Manoel, Pedro saw the different
plantations sown this year, which fortunately started with good
rainfall. For the dairy cattle, forage sorghum was planted (60
hectares), and will be silaged. Using the huge vazante
areas – river and reservoir banks that will be exposed by the
evaporation of water in the course of the year – mandante
grass, as a source of green fodder; the finer andré-quicê
grass, for hay-making; corn, and in the future grain sorghum,
which will both serve as a basis for rations, are planted. The
objective is to enable the farm to be less dependent, in terms of
animal fodder (a complex challenge in the semi-arid region, always
exposed to dramatic drought, such as that which occurred last
year); of expensive electric power, limiting the use of irrigation
to plantations of good economic value, such as mangoes; and of the
chronic lack of cheap sources of protein. |
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Half a hectare of sunflower was planted close to the best apiary
in order to improve the bees’ nourishment. We planted 5 hectares
of sesame selected by Embrapa, a very valuable test for a
herbaceous plant that is highly resistant to drought. Depending on
the evaluation of results and costs of this plantation, we may
think about promoting this crop next year. In fact, it may
represent an exceptional alternative for the farmers in the
region, considering that the market for organic sesame proved very
attractive this year, and also in view of the lack of alternatives
for planting on the tabuleiros – areas with shallow soil
and low fertility, where cotton was traditionally planted.
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Pedro
followed closely the ongoing handling of the mango trees, already
holding the Demeter certification: the clearing of the undergrowth,
control of stick insects and grasshoppers, distribution of compost,
and application of preparations.
The calendars
for the application of biodynamic preparations were revised with
Pedro, in view of the farm’s climatic situation, as well as the
production of same. We took advantage of his presence to bury 32 horns
of the preparation 501 (horn/silica), the first produced on the farm. Up
to that time only preparation 500 (horn/manure) had been made. We will
have to intensify the application of the latter throughout the farm,
ensuring perfect dynamization and the granting of the Demeter seal to
the whole farm. |
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He was glad to see that the heifers identified last August had not
been dehorned again. This is important to a biodynamic breeder:
according to Rudolf Steiner’s teaching, “cows have horns so as to
send into their system that which should have a formative action
on the etheric-astral plane, that is, that which should advance
through interiorization up to their digestive system, so as to
create a great deal of activity in the digestive area precisely
because of irradiation coming from the horns.” Therefore,
dehorning is considered to be an unacceptable mutilation.
The terrible tables prepared with care and attention throughout
the year by Célia were analyzed very carefully and did not give
rise to any great doubt. |
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Heifers
identified last August had not been dehorned again. |
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Manoel, the manager, Alan, the veterinarian, Flávio, the
agronomist and bee-keeper and Paula, responsible for the
processing of milk and fruit, were all duly questioned, but no
serious problems were raised. Pedro’s biodynamic vision helped
us to reflect on many doubts and questions encountered in our
day-to-day routine, because enabling the application of the
anthroposophic philosophy to a property of this size,
integrating cattle raising and agriculture in the semi-arid
region, represents a challenge to all. We hope that the
anxiously awaited final report will be favorable. In any case,
the exchange of information within a positive and constructive
outlook was very important. Thank you. |
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