To prove significance (p < 0.05) and reject the null hypothesis, individual Intervention x2 values need to be greater than 3.84 (Polgar & Thomas 2008, p325) These findings are shown in Table 2.
Table 2 – Chi2 and Significance per Intervention
Intervention Code | Intervention at 15X potentisation | Total number germinated in 72 hours | Expected Frequency | (x2) for 1 degree of freedom | Significance p < 0.05 | |
G | NG | |||||
A | Nitrogen | 86 | 90 | 10 | 3.55 | Not Significant |
B | Sulphur | 93 | 93.5 | 6.5 | 0.081 | Not significant |
C | Distilled Water Control (not potentised) | 94 | 94 | 6 | CONTROL | CONTROL |
D | Ferrum metallicum | 97 | 95.5 | 4.5 | 1.046 | Not significant |
E | Zincum metallicum | 88 | 91 | 9 | 2.18 | Not significant |
F | Boron | 92 | 93 | 7 | 0.30 | Not significant |
G | Kali muriaticum | 88 | 91 | 9 | 2.18 | Not significant |
H | Phosphorus | 91 | 92.5 | 7.5 | 0.64 | Not significant |
I | Combination Intervention | 82 | 88 | 12 | 6.8 | Significant at p<0.01 |
J | Magnesium metallicum | 96 | 95 | 5 | 0.42 | Not significant |
K | Cuprum metallicum | 82 | 88 | 12 | 6.8 | Significant at p<0.01 |
L | Manganum metallicum | 95 | 94.5 | 5.5 | 0.094 | Not significant |
M | Molybdenum | 93 | 93.5 | 6.5 | 0.08 | Not significant |
N | Calcarea carbonicum | 82 | 88 | 12 | 6.8 | Significant at p<0.01 |
(Expected Frequency G: Germinated; Expected Frequency NG: Non-germinated)
The water control produced 94 of 100 germinated seeds but even though Ferrum metallicum 97/100 (x2 1.046), Magnesium metallicum 96/100 (x2 0.42) and Manganum metallicum 95/100 (x2 0.094) produced higher germination rates than water, these results were not found to be statistically significant at p<0.05.
The three (3) interventions which showed a significant effect (Calcarea carbonicum x2 6.8 with p<0.01; Cuprum metallicum x2 6.8 with p<0.01; and the Combination Intervention x2 6.8 with p<0.01) all produced inhibiting effects on seed germination.
DISCUSSION
No homeopathic essential mineral nutrient solution at 15X potency promoted the germination of corn seeds. Figure 2, shows cumulative germination results from four (4) extreme Interventions mapped against the Control over Time, as per Hossain (2005).
Figure 2 – Cumulative Germination over Time: Results from 4 extreme Interventions compared to Water Control
Figure 2 displays a minimal rate of germination difference between the 4 extreme Interventions and Control. The rate of increase was greatest between 32-56 hours and plateaued after the 56th hour.
It is believed that this research shows no significance due to seeds needing only water and oxygen to germinate. The essential mineral nutrients are needed for further plant development and absorbed through the leaf or root systems, only once germination has occurred. (Knox et al 1994, pp321, 374-380)
CONCLUSION
The Null Hypothesis is accepted and it is found that Homeopathically potentised 15X essential mineral nutrient solutions do not increase the seed germination of corn (Zea mays) when compared to distilled water.
Future research will focus on the technique of priming seeds in homeopathically potentised essential mineral nutrients with analysis of the ensuing crop production. (Harris et al 2007)
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Many thanks to John & Noela Eddington; Pacific Seeds; Department of Primary Industries; Endeavour College of Natural Health and Dr David Tulip.
REFERENCES
Australian Academy of Science, 1990, Biology – The Common Threads, Part 1, Australian Academy of Science, Australian Capital Territory, Australia
Betti, L., Lazzarato, L., Trebbi, G., Brizzi, M., Calzoni, GL., Borghini, F., & Nani, D. 2003, ‘Effects of homeopathic arsenic on tobacco plant resistance to tobacco mosaic virus. Theoretical suggestions about system variability, based on a large experimental data set’, Homeopathy, Vol 92, pp195-202, viewed 23 April 2008, Science Direct database
Boericke, W, 2004 Reprint, Pocket manual of Homeopathic Materia Medica with Indian Medicine & Repertory, 9th Edn, Indian Books & Periodicals Publishers, New Delhi, India
Brizzi, M., Nani, D., Peruzzi, M., & Betti, L. 2000, ‘Statistical analysis of the effect of high dilutions of arsenic in a large dataset from a wheat germination model’, British Homeopathic Journal, Vol 89, pp63-67, viewed 23 April 2008, Science Direct database
Foti, R., Abureni, K., Tigere, A., Gotosa, J. & Gere, J. 2008, (Abstract) ‘The efficacy of different seed priming osmotica on the establishment of maize (Zea mays L.) caryopses’, Journal of Arid Environments, Vol 72, Issue 6, pp1127-1130, viewed 12 May 2008, Science Direct database
Gallardo, K., Job, C., Groot, P.C., Puype, M., Demol, H., Vandekerckhove, J., & Job, D. 2001, ‘Proeomic Analysis of Arabidopsis Seed Germination and Priming, Plant Physiology, Vol 126, pp835-848, viewed 7 May 2008, Google Scholar
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Hamman, B., Koning, G., and Him Lok, K., 2003, ‘Homeopathically prepared gibberellic acid and barley seed germination’, Homeopathy, (2003) 92, pp140-144, viewed 23 April 2008, Science Direct database, DOI: 10.1016/S1475-4916(03)00045-6
Harris, D., Joshi, A., Khan, P.A., Gothkar, P., & Sodhi, P.S. 1999, (Abstract) ‘On-Farm Seed Priming in Semi-Arid Agriculture: Development and Evaluation in Maize, Rice and Chickpea in India Using Participatory Methods’, Experimental Agriculture, Cambridge Journals, Feb 1999, Vol 35, pp15-29, viewed 7 May 2008, Google Scholar, http://journals.cambridge.org/action/displayAbstract?fromPage=online&aid=2999
Harris, D., Rashid, A.b, Miraj, G.c, Arif,b M. & Shah, H. 2007 (Abstract) ‘On-farm seed priming with zinc sulphate solution – A cost-effective way to increase the maize yields of resource-poor farmers’, Field Crops Research, Vol 102, Issue 2, pp119-127, viewed 12 May 2008, Science Direct database, DOI: 10.1016/j.fer.2007.03.005
Hossain M, Arefin M, Khan B & Rahman M, 2005, “Effects of Seed Treatments on Germination and Seedling Growth Attributes of Horitaki (Terminalia chebula Retz.) in the nursery”, Research Journal of Agriculture and Biological Sciences 1(2): 135-141, INSInet Publication, viewed 5 October 2008, http://library.georgetown.edu/newjour/r/msg02863.html
Knox B, Ladiges P & Evans B, 1994, Biology, McGraw-Hill Book Company, Sydney, Australia
Pacific Seeds, 2008-09, Yearbook – Hybrid Corn, viewed 14 August 2008, http://www.pacificseeds.com/products/corn/documents/cornproduct08.pdf
Polgar S & Thomas S, 2008, Introduction to Research in the Health Sciences, 5 Edn, Churchill Livingstone Elsevier, Sydney, Australia
Raynes, M. and Bowey, G., 2008, The Decimal Growth Scale for Cereals, State of Victoria, Department of Primary Industries, AG0013, ISSN 1329-8062, viewed 12 March 2008, http://www.dpi.vic.gov.au/DPI/nreninf.nsf/v/859B65A8E6368D27CA2574100000B98B1/$file/The_Decimal_Growth_Scale_for_Cereals.pdf
Scherr, C., Simon, M., Spranger, J. & Baumgartner, S. 2007 ‘Duckweed (Lemna gibba L.) as a Test Organism for Homeopathic Potencies, The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, Volume 13, Number 9, pp931-937, viewed 27 March 2008, Ebsco database, DOI: 10.1089/acm.2007.0506
Simillimum, 2008, Simillimum remedy list June 2008, viewed 10 June 2008, http://www.simillimum.co.nz
Tulip J, 2008, Literature Review For Research Proposal, unpublished
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Global Food Security Crisis, viewed 20 October 2008, http://www.un.org/issues/food/taskforce/
(WRI) World Resources Institute, 1989-99, Environmental change and human health – Soil-friendly farming practices are coming into wider use, viewed 20 October 2008, http://www.wri.org/publication/content/8427
APPENDIX 1
Essential Mineral Nutrients and Significance to Plant Function
Information concerning Significance is taken from Sengusch (2003) and the Australian Academy of Science (1990, p178). These references will be denoted by an (S) and an (A) respectively.
Essential Mineral Nutrients | Chemical symbols as per Timberlake, K. (2004) | Significance to Plant Function |
| Nitrate | NO3- | · Amino acids, proteins, nucleotides, chlorophyll (S) · Helps to form cell structure; storage reserve and metabolic functions (A) |
| Potassium | K+ | · Co-factor for enzymes; necessary for regulatory processes and syntheses eg protein biosynthesis (S) · Helps maintain substance balance in cells (A) |
| Calcium | Ca2+ | · Regulatory functions; helps maintain cell wall structure; stabilizes membranes; controls movements (S) |
| Phosphate | PO43- | · Energetic bonds (ATP) or energy transfer reactions (A); component of nucleic acids; used in phosphorylations eg sugars and proteins (S) |
| Magnesium | Mg2+ | · Chlorophyll component; counter ion of ATP; important for protein biosynthesis (S) |
| Sulphur | S2- | · Amino acid and protein component; Coenzyme A (S) |
| Iron | Fe2+ or Fe3+ (Sengusch states that either form is acceptable) | · Necessary for chlorophyll synthesis; component of cytochromes and ferredoxin (S) · Involved in the function of enzymes (A) |
| Chloride | Cl- | · Takes part in osmotic process (S) · Involved in enzyme functions (A) |
| Borate | B3+ | · Influences the use of Calcium (S) · Important in tissue development; Needed for growth of pollen tubes (A) |
| Copper | Cu2+ | · Co-factor of some enzymes eg protein biosynthesis (S) |
| Manganese | Mn | · Co-factor of some enzymes eg protein biosynthesis (S) |
| Zinc | Zn | · Co-factor of some enzymes eg carboxypeptidase; DNA dependent RNA polymerase (S) |
| Molybdenum | Mo | · Controls Nitrogen metabolism (S) |
———————————————
Australian Academy of Science, 1990, Biology – The Common Threads, Part 1, Australian Academy of Science, Australian Capital Territory, Australia
Sengusch, P. 2003, Mineral Nutrients, viewed 8 May 2008, http://www.biologie.uni-hamburg.de/b-online/e16/16a.htm, Google Scholar
Dr. Sharad Tripathi
Dear sir
I am not satisfied your above experiment. I am involve last 16 yrs in agrohomeopathy. Few years ago I done this type experiment on gram seed and found some homeopathic medicine who increase germination process double or triple timed fast.
I found following symptoms in plant or trees through homeopathic treatment:
No environmental or soil degradation.
Increases fruit size, triples production of fruit and flower
Develops prepollen tendencies in trees. In winter season I develop pollen tendencies in mango trees.
In orange trees fruit production increase till 2.5 times and fruit size is increased 1.5 times approx.
Increases seed germination and born healthy baby plants.
Increase leaf size, leaf generation and quantity.
Fast growing of plants and trees.
V.S.joshi
Dear Dr.Sharad Tripathiji,
I am of the same view as you are,my friend has few mango trees and have problem with them abuot fruiting and crop of soya bean in his small farm but he does’nt believe homeopathy,I would like to show him waht homeopathy can do, but I dont have any thing to show.Can WE share your experience about this?
V.S.joshi
Richard Thomas
The uthor seems to have no reasonable knowledge of the basic pinciples of
homeopathy. The potency chosen for convenience is inhibitory.
The proper way of conducting the experiment was/is to hand prepare each potency up to 15x and note the effects – either promoting or inhibiting or neither.
This type of ‘scientific’ experiment has no scientific value at all.
Richard Thomas richt@bettanet.com.au
V.S.Joshi
You Can Communicate to me on bapu4@yahoo.com also.
sujit nandy
what we use in k+,ca+,ph deficiency in human life
sujit nandy
I mean about the homeopathy medecine in k+,ca+, and ph deficiency