What Has Been Thought and Taught on the Lunar Influence on Plants in Agriculture? Perspective from Physics and Biology
Olga Mayoral, Jordi Solbes, José Cantó and Tatiana Pina
Abstract: This paper reviews the beliefs which drive some agricultural sectors to consider the lunar
influence as either a stress or a beneficial factor when it comes to organizing their tasks. To address
the link between lunar phases and agriculture from a scientific perspective, we conducted a review
of textbooks and monographs used to teach agronomy, botany, horticulture and plant physiology;
we also consider the physics that address the e ects of the Moon on our planet. Finally, we review the
scientific literature on plant development, specifically searching for any direct or indirect reference
to the influence of the Moon on plant physiology. We found that there is no reliable, science-based
evidence for any relationship between lunar phases and plant physiology in any plant–science related
textbooks or peer-reviewed journal articles justifying agricultural practices conditioned by the Moon.
Nor does evidence from the field of physics support a causal relationship between lunar forces and
plant responses. Therefore, popular agricultural practices that are tied to lunar phases have no
scientific backing. We strongly encourage teachers involved in plant sciences education to objectively
address pseudo-scientific ideas and promote critical thinking.
Keywords: plant growth; agriculture; traditions; pseudo-science; lunarphases; physics; biology; education