Research Homeopathy + Agriculture
Transcriptome Profiling of Wheat Seedlings following Treatment with Ultrahigh Diluted Arsenic Trioxide
Ilaria Marotti,1 Lucietta Betti,1 Valeria Bregola,1 Sara Bosi,1 Grazia Trebbi,1 Giovanni Borghini,2 Daniele Nani,3 and Giovanni Dinelli1
1Department of Agricultural Sciences, University of Bologna, Viale Fanin 44, 40127 Bologna, Italy
2Department of Public Health and Infectious Diseases, “La Sapienza” University of Rome, Piazzale Aldo Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy
3Italian National Health System, Lombardy District, “Azienda Sanitaria Locale” Milan, Corso Italia 19, 20122 Milan, Italy
Abstract
Plant systems are useful research tools to address basic questions in homeopathy as they make it possible to overcome some of the drawbacks encountered in clinical trials (placebo effect, ethical issues, duration of the experiment, and high costs). The objective of the present study was to test the hypothesis whether 7-day-old wheat seedlings, grown from seeds either poisoned with a sublethal dose of As2O3 or unpoisoned, showed different significant gene expression profiles after the application of ultrahigh diluted As2O3 (beyond Avogadro’s limit) compared to water (control). The results provided evidence for a strong gene modulating effect of ultrahigh diluted As2O3 in seedlings grown from poisoned seeds: a massive reduction of gene expression levels to values comparable to those of the control group was observed for several functional classes of genes. A plausible hypothesis is that ultrahigh diluted As2O3 treatment induced a reequilibration of those genes that were upregulated during the oxidative stress by bringing the expression levels closer to the basal levels normally occurring in the control plants.
Source : Evidence Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine
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New homeopathic potencies promote plant growth and development
Soma Sukul, Nirmal Chandra Sukul, Sandhimita Mondal, Anirban Sukul
Abstract
Introduction: The extensive use of synthetic nitrogen fertilizer in agriculture is causing environmental damage, organic crops contain significantly more vitamin C, iron, magnesium and phosphorus and significantly less nitrates than conventional crops. In this situation it is desirable to find out suitable agents, which would increase plant growth without compromising with the quality of food and of soil. We have studied that potentized growth retardants, chlorocholine chloride CCC (2-chloroethyle trimethyl ammonium chloride) and maleic hydrazide, MH (1, 2-dihydro 3,6 pyridazinedin) can promote growth in pigeon pea Cajanus cajan (L.) Millsp; Lady’s finger, Abelmoschus aeculentus (L) Moench; cow pea, Vigna unguculata L. and in rice, Oryza sativa L. The aim of this work is to see if plant growth inhibitors serve as growth promoters at their ultra low doses . Methods: We have selected two plant growth retardants viz., chlorocholine chloride CCC (2-chloroethyle trimethyl ammonium chloride) and maleic hydrazide, MH (1, 2-dihydro 3, 6 pyridazinedin). Then we prepared 30th potency of them and also 200th potency for CCC. Samples of CCC and MH were mixed separately with 90% ethanol at 1mg/ml and designated as mother tincture (MT). Each MT was diluted with 90% ethanol and succussed 10 times to prepare the 1st centesimal potency. In this way the 30th potency of two drugs and 200th potency of CCC was prepared. The controls ethanol 30th and 200th potency were prepared by succussion 90% ethanol 10 times and treated as 1st potency. Then mix 90% succussed ethanol with 90% ethanol in 1:100 and succussed, thus prepared 2nd centicimal potency. Likewise 30th and 200th potency of 90% ethanol were prepared. The 30th potency of CCC and MH and 200th potency of CCC were treated on 15 days old pigeon pea, Cajanus cajan (L.) Millsp grouped in four rows each with twenty pots. Just before drug application, each potency was diluted with sterile water 1:500 and applied by foliar spray. The treatment was repeated on days 16, 17, 18, 21, 27, 33 and 42. Data were collected on day 75. Morphometric data such as plant height, number of branches, number of leaves/plant, root length and number of flower/plant were recorded. Biochemical parameters like total chlorophyll, sugar, carbohydrate and protein were assessed. The same experiments with CCC30c, CCC200c and MH 30c repeated on Lady’s finger, Abelmoschus aeculentus (L) Moench. Here foliar spray of drugs in dilution of 1:500 ware done on day 12 and 13. Data were collected on day 75. Morphometric data like shoot length, shoot girth, shoot weight, root length, root girth, root weight, number of leaves/plant, average leaf area, leaf weight and leaf water content were taken. Total leaf chlorophyll, protein and soluble and insoluble sugar were also estimated. The 30th potency of MH and CCC were treated on cow pea, Vigna unguculata L. in 1:500 dilution by gently touch on both sides of leaf. The treatments were repeated twice after 15 days interval and final data were collected. Number of leaves/plant was recorded. Total leaf chlorophyll and protein estimated. Fast protein liquid chromatography (FPLC) was also done with the leaf material. 200th potency of CCC was sprayed on two rice (Oryza sativa L.) varieties viz., IET 4786-SHATABDI and IET 4094-KHITISH at Rice Research Station, Chinsurah. The drug was diluted 1:100 with distilled water and sprayed twice at fifteen days interval. Total leaf chlorophyll, protein, soluble sugar and carbohydrate were estimated. Panicle length, fertile grain percentage, number of tillers/plant, plant length and productivity /hectare were recorded. All statistical analyses were done by analysis of variance (ANOVA) followed by student –test Results In all the cases significant increase in morphometric as well as biochemical parameters were observed. In pigeon pea MH30c showed comparatively poor performance in the growth promoting effect than the potentized CCC. In Lady’s finger all the potentized drugs produced significant improvement in plant growth and increased significantly water, chlorophyll and protein content in leaves. The FPLC study of cow pea leaf protein revealed that CCC 30c induced expression of some new proteins which might have played a role in growth and development of the plant. CCC200c significantly increased yields in rice under field conditions. Discussion CCC in material doses inhibits the activity of the enzyme kaurene synthetase in the gibberellin (GA) biosynthesis pathway, resulting reduction in gibberellin formation. Potentized CCC has produced just the opposite effect and promotes the activity of the enzyme, resulting in increased biosynthesis of GA. As gibberellic acid biosynthesis pathway influenced chlorophyll and protein biosynthesis pathways, that is why total leaf chlorophyll and sugar and protein also increased in treated plants. GA also promotes floral initiation, sex determination and setting of fruit in plants, thus rice productivity was increased with CCC200c. MH in material doses acts as an inhibitor of the synthesis of nucleic acids and proteins as expected MH30c produced the opposite effect and enhanced nucleic acid synthesis and protein synthesis. Thus results to promote plant growth and development. These growth retardants in potentized forms increased photosynthesis and may help in carbon sequestration. Thereby indirectly they also help to lowering global warming and keep environment pollution free, in addition to reduce the application of fertilizers and maintaining soil ecosystem.
Source : Intl Journal High Dilution Research
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Development of a biocrystallisation assay for examining effects of homeopathic preparations using cress seedlings
.Baumgartner S, Doesburg P, Scherr C, Andersen JO.
Source Institute of Complementary Medicine KIKOM, University of Bern, Insel-Spital, 3010 Bern, Switzerland.
AbstractA major challenge in basic research into homeopathic potentisation is to develop bioassays that yield consistent results. We evaluated the potential of a seedling-biocrystallisation method. Cress seeds (Lepidium sativum L.) germinated and grew for 4 days in vitro in Stannum metallicum 30x or water 30x in blinded and randomized assignment. 15 experiments were performed at two laboratories. CuCl(2)-biocrystallisation of seedlings extracted in the homeopathic preparations was performed on circular glass plates. Resulting biocrystallograms were analysed by computerized textural image analysis. All texture analysis variables analysed yielded significant results for the homeopathic treatment; thus the texture of the biocrystallograms of homeopathically treated cress exhibited specific characteristics. Two texture analysis variables yielded differences between the internal replicates, most probably due to a processing order effect. There were only minor differences between the results of the two laboratories. The biocrystallisation method seems to be a promising complementary outcome measure for plant bioassays investigating effects of homeopathic preparations.
Source : Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2012;2012:125945.
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Germination and vigor of lettuce seeds (Lactuca sativa L.) pelleted with homeopathic preparations Alumina and Calcarea carbonica subjected to toxic levels of aluminum.
Filipe Pereira Giardini Bonfim1, Rosana Gonçalves Rodrigues das Dores2, Ernane Ronie Martins3, Vicente Wagner Dias Casali1
(1) Federal University of Viçosa, MG, Brazil
(2) Federal University of Ouro Preto, MG, Brazil
(3) Federal University of Minas Gerais, Montes Claros, MG, Brazil
ABSTRACT
Background: aluminum toxicity is the most important factor limiting the growth of plants in acid soils, whereas current treatments are unfeasible. For this reason, alternatives are sought for, among which homeopathic treatment. Aims: this study aimed at evaluating the influence of homeopathic preparations Alumina 6cH, Alumina 12cH, Calcarea carbonica 6cH and Calcarea carbonica 12cH on the germination and vigor of lettuce seeds subjected to toxic levels of aluminum in paper-solution. At the same time, it was sought to develop a new procedure to apply homeopathic preparations in plants (pelleting). Methods: the statistical design was entirely randomized (CRD) with 6 treatments and 4 repetitions. Treatments included: 1) pelleted seeds/talc + Alum 6 cH; 2) pelleted seeds/talc + Alum 12cH; 3) pelleted seed/talc + Calc 6cH; 4) pelleted seeds/talc + Calc 12cH; 5) pelleted seeds/talc + distilled water; 6) non pelleted seeds (control). Variables evaluated were: germination percentage (GP), germination speed index (GSI) and radicle length (RL). Results: there was significant difference in GSI and RL – variables that reflect the vigor of seeds - between the samples treated with homeopathic preparations and the controls Conclusions: homeopathic preparations Alumina 6cH and 12cH and Calcarea carbonica 6cH and 12cH had significant effect on the vigor of lettuce seeds subjected to stress conditions.
Source : Int J High Dilution Res 2010; 9(33): 138-146
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Germination of radish seeds (Raphanus sativus) treated with homeopathic drugs.
Marcelo Felipe Bezerra Donadon1, Euclides Davidson Bueno Romano1, Walkiria Ruiz de Pinho1, Marina Lopes Vieira de Souza1, Pedro Henrique Alcalde do Nascimento1, Maria do Rocio Lázaro Rodrigues2, Solange Monteiro de Toledo Piza Gomes Carneiro1
(1) Agricultural Research Institute of Paraná, Londrina, PR, Brazil (2) Center of Specialization on Homeopathy, Londrina, PR, Brazil
ABSTRACT
The radish is a short cycle crop, since it is harvested at 25-30 days after direct sowing. Under the economic point of view it is an important species, but there are few studies on germination of radish seeds. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of high diluted substances on the germination of radish seeds. The trial was conducted at the Agricultural Research Institute of Paraná (IAPAR) in Londrina / Paraná. It was used a pesticide free cultivar named Cometa. The treatments were: Bryonia, hydroalcoholic solution, Arnica montana, Cina and Lupine + Oat, all of them diluted and agitated at 9x; distilled water and agitated distilled water were used as controls. The mother tincture of Lupine + Oat was prepared from plants collected at the experimental station of IAPAR in Londrina. The mother tincture and all treatments were prepared according to the guidelines in the Brazilian Homeopathic Pharmacopeia, Part I [1]. The agitations of the treatments were made by a mechanical equipment, model Denise 10-50 manufactured by Autic. The water was distilled the day before preparing the treatments. The experiment was performed with 300 seeds per treatment. The seeds were placed in gerbox with germitest paper, and 50 gerbox were used per treatment, with six seeds in each gerbox. The germitest papers were moistened with the treatments and the seeds were soaked for 2 hours previously set up the experiment. The substances in high dilutions were agitated 100 times on the machine before soaking the seeds and moistening the germitest paper. The experimental design was entirely randomized and the gerbox were kept at the bench at the Laboratory of Plant Protection of IAPAR. A person not involved in conduct of the experiment coded (blinded) the treatments solutions with a random letter code. The code was kept secret until all measurements and data processing were finished. Seeds were observed daily for germination and counted only those considered germinated. Seeds were considered germinated when the radicle was at least two millimeters length. Arnica montana 9x increased 5.9% the seed germination when compared with distilled water.
Source : Audesapere.in
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Homeopathic treatment of Arabidopsis thaliana plants infected with Pseudomonas syringae.
Shah-Rossi D, Heusser P, Baumgartner S.
Source: Society for Cancer Research, Hiscia Institute, Kirschweg 9, 4144 Arlesheim, Switzerland. [email protected]
Abstract
Homeopathic basic research is still in the screening phase to identify promising model systems that are adapted to the needs and peculiarities of homeopathic medicine and pharmacy. We investigated the potential of a common plant-pathogen system, Arabidopsis thaliana infected with the virulent bacteria Pseudomonas syringae, regarding its response towards ahomeopathic treatment. A. thaliana plants were treated with homeopathic preparations before and after infection. Outcome measure was the number of P. syringae bacteria in the leaves of A. thaliana, assessed in randomized and blinded experiments. After a screening of 30 homeopathic preparations, we investigated the effect of Carbo vegetabilis 30x, Magnesium phosphoricum 30x, Nosode 30x, Biplantol (a homeopathic complex remedy), and Biplantol 30x on the infection rate in five or six independent experiments in total. The screening yielded significant effects for four out of 30 tested preparations. In the repeated experimental series, only the homeopathic complex remedy Biplantol induced a significant reduction of the infection rate (p = 0.01; effect size, d = 0.38). None of the other four repeatedly tested preparations (Carbo vegetabilis 30x, Magnesium phosphoricum 30x, Nosode 30x, Biplantol 30x) yielded significant effects in the overall evaluation. This phytopathological model yielded a small to medium effect size and thus might be of interest for homeopathicbasic research after further improvement. Compared to Bion (a common SAR inducer used as positive control), the magnitude of the treatment effect of Biplantol was about 50%. Thus, homeopathic formulations might have a potential for the treatment of plant diseases after further optimization. However, the ecological impact should be investigated more closely before widespread application.
Source : Audesapere.in
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The Role of Cina in the Field of Enriched Sericulture
Subhas Chandra Datta
Root-knot disease of mulberry is caused by the nematode Meloidogyne incognita (Kofoid & White) Chitwood. It demonstrated important economic implications for sericulture in a field and silkworm rearing trial for the homeopathic medicine Cina (MT,200C & 1000C). Globules prepared from the flowering meristems of Artemisia nilagirica (Clarke) pamp mixed with distilled water @ 7.2 mg/ml, were applied by foliar spray once daily for 15 days @ 10ml/plant on mulberry (Morus alba L.,cv.S1) on plants naturally infected with M. incognita. Naturally infected control-plants were treated using the same procedure but with globules only (without Cina medicines).
All Cina-treated infected-plants showed better growth in all respects. All the nematode infected plants treated with Cina, significantly reduced root-knot disease in terms of root gall number and nematode population in root and soil. Silkworm larvae (Bombyx mori L.) feeding on the leaves of Cina treated plants, showed improved growth, increased silk gland weight, shell weight, shell ratio (SR%) and effective rate of rearing (ERR %); They also took fewer feedings and number of feeding days, shorter starting time to spinning day and span of spinning day; shorter moulting time to cocoon formation, and zero mortality rate. This trial commercially increased silk production and effective rate of rearing (ERR%) without disturbing the biosphere.
Source : Hpathy
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Effects of Cina on root-knot disease of mulberry.
Datta SC.
Department of Zoology, Visva-Bharati University, Santiniketan 731235, West Bengal, India. [email protected]
Abstract
Root-knot disease of mulberry is caused by the nematode Meloidogyne incognita. It has important economic implications for sericulture. The homeopathic medicines, Cina mother tincture (MT) and potentised Cina 200C, prepared from the flowering meristems of Artemisia nilagirica (Clarke) Pamp, were applied by foliar spray on mulberry (Morus alba L.) infected with M. incognita juveniles (J2). Pretreatment (ending 6 days before inoculation) and post-treatment (starting 6 days after inoculation) schedules were tested. The two uninoculated control batches were treated with the same procedure with Cina MT and Cina 200C. Both pre- and post-treatment significantly reduced nematode infection in terms of root gall number and nematode population in root. All the treated plants showed improved growth in terms of fresh biomass of shoot and root, length of shoot and root, number of leaves, leaf surface area, root and leaf-protein content. Cina 200C is more effective than Cina MT in all respects of nematode control as well as growth of the test plants. Pretreatments show slightly better effects than the post-treatments. It is interesting that inoculated and treated plants not only are less affected by nematodes but also have a better growth than uninoculated, untreated control.
Source Homeopathy. 2006 Apr;95(2):98-102
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Homeopathic Medicines Protect Environment, Health and Development by Controlling Mulberry Diseases
Subhas Chandra Datta1* and Rupa Datta2
1Eco-club Research Unit, Kanchannagar D.N.Das High School, Kanchannagar, Burdwan-713102, West Bengal, India
2Life Science Unit, Burdwan Model School, Dewandighi, Burdwan-713101, West Bengal, India
Abstract
.Plant diseases, caused by pathogens, significantly reduce food production particularly in the developing world where farmers have little knowledge of these pests. In sericulture, mulberry is an economical plant because silk production depends on the nutritive quality of the leaves which is hampered by various pathogen attacks like nematodes, fungus, virus, bacteria and insects etc. Recently, synthetic- and chemical- pesticides are the most effective means of control, but they are both expensive and environmentally unfriendly. The “evils” of synthetic- and chemical- pesticides has been a major concern to environmentalists. The use of chemical pesticides may achieve a measure of control of those mulberry diseases but there remains the problem of residual toxicity in the treated plants and this toxicity results in reduced palatability of the leaves to the feeding silkworm larvae, reduction in growth of the larvae and also in silk production. These are serious issues which directly cause crises of financial losses, food productions, and climatic changes, but in combination, their impact could be catastrophic for the global economy. To move forward will require new and more efficient solutions, technologies and products. Climate change and resource productive economies are now universally recognized as a significant global environmental challenge. To meet the challenge of the problems, a number of plant bio-nematicides though effective and easily biodegradable are not easily available in large quantities from natural sources and isolation of only a small quantity of an effective metabolites requires huge quantities of plant materials. This would result in rapid depletion of natural resources, particularly in tropical regions. Indiscriminate use of plant resources have already created problem of biodiversity conservation in the world. Bio-nematicides from animal origin (like nematode extract) reduce nematodes infestation in different plants and root callous by using their defenseresponse against nematode infection. But it remains as a problem. To conquer this situation, the only ‘Homeopathy’ can solve all the above mentioned problems. Here, Homeopathic medicines; Cina, prepared from the flowering meristems of Artemisia nilagirica (Clarke) pamp and Aakashmoni, prepared from the funicles of Acacia auriculiformis A. Cunn, mixed with distilled water @ 7.2 mg/ml, were applied by foliar spray once daily for 15 days @ 10ml/plant on mulberry (Morus alba L., cv. S1) are highly effective in ameliorating mulberry diseases; root-knot [Meloidogyne incognita (Kofoid and White) Chitwood], leaf spot [Cercosporam moricola (Cooke)], powdery mildew [Phyllactinia corylea (Pers.) Karst], mosaic disease (mosaic virus) and tukra disease [Maconellicoccus hirsutus (Green)]. Both the drugs also improve the plant growth effectively which directly increase photosynthesis rate and significantly reduce CO2 in the environment. Both the drugs also improve the growth of silkworms, shell weight, sex ratio percentage [SR%] and egg laying capacity of mother moth and also increase silk production and effective rate of silkworms rearing [ERR] commercially which directly enriches sericulture industry as well as agriculture sector. These cost-effective homeopathic medicines are easily available, biodegradable, non-phytotoxic and non-pollutant as well as conserve our biodiversity which will contribute towards “Sustainable Environment, Health and Development”.
Source : Journal of Homeopathy + Ayurvedic Medicine
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Seasonal Variation of the Effect of Extremely Diluted Agitated Gibberellic Acid (10e-30) on Wheat Stalk Growth: A Multiresearcher Study
Peter Christian Endler, Wolfgang Matzer, Christian Reich,* Thomas Reischl, Anna Maria Hartmann, Karin Thieves, Andrea Pfleger, Jürgen Hofäcker, Harald Lothaller, and Waltraud Scherer-Pongratz
Division Complementary Health Sciences, Interuniversity College for Health and Development Graz, Castle of Seggau, 8042 Graz, Austria
Abstract
.The influence of a homeopathic high dilution of gibberellic acid on wheat growth was studied at different seasons of the year. Seedlings were allowed to develop under standardized conditions for 7 days; plants were harvested and stalk lengths were measured. The data obtained confirm previous findings, that ultrahigh diluted potentized gibberellic acid affects stalk growth. Furthermore, the outcome of the study suggests that experiments utilizing the bioassay presented should best be performed in autumn season. In winter and spring, respectively, no reliable effects were found.
Source : ScientificWorldJournal. 2011; 11: 1667–1678.
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