![]() ![]() It’s likely that these biochemical changes have been erroneously attributed to direct lunar influence rather than herbivore defense. During the full moon, such insects feed more heavily and affected plant populations retaliate by altering the digestibility of their tissues. Lunar cycles do affect certain species, including some herbivorous insects which are dependent on moonlight for feeding. Here’s where the fascinating and complex nature of species interactions helps explain conflicting data. Coincidentally, the lead author of one of these articles is a close friend and colleague whose research credentials are impeccable. That being said, there are some legitimate papers indirectly linking lunar cycles with plant biochemistry. Furthermore, for every article that claims a lunar effect, I can find another discounting it entirely. Many of the references used as evidence for lunar effects on plants are of nebulous quality as they haven’t been reviewed by the scientific community these include self-published books or lectures. This article is a great example of how pseudoscience insinuates itself with legitimate science. Nevertheless, “planting by the moon” is a belief system that has existed since ancient times. (Had these references to circadian and diurnal rhythms been left out, the literature citations would have been rather paltry.) Plants depend on these daily and seasonal cues for a variety of physiological and behavioral activities lunar cycles have little obvious relevance to plants. Interspersed within the discussion are references to seasonal and daily plant cycles, along with legitimate references to these verifiable phenomena. Briefly, the authors argue that scientific evidence supports the concept of a lunar cycle influence on plants. Yesterday one of my dear skeptical colleagues sent me a link to a new article on lunar influences on plants (you can find it here). Nicole on Seasonal forecasting: Looking into the crystal ball.Jonna on Deep sheet mulching is “bat-sheet crazy”.Linda Chalker-Scott on Deep sheet mulching is “bat-sheet crazy”.Linda Chalker-Scott on Xeriscape – landscaping whose time has come.You gotta know what to sow and what to plant: Veggies and Herbs April 14, 2023.Deep sheet mulching is “bat-sheet crazy” April 22, 2023.Seasonal forecasting: Looking into the crystal ball April 28, 2023.Crop rotation makes the garden go ’round May 13, 2023. ![]()
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