EFFECTIVE MICRO ORGANISMS IN ORGANIC

AGRICULTURE

Presented by,KAVI

What is meant by Effective Microorganisms (EM)?

Microorganisms are tiny units of life that are too small to be seen with the naked eye but visible under a microscope and they exist everywhere in nature.

Microorganisms are crucial for maintaining the ecological balance.

Effective Microorganisms (EM) are mixed cultures of beneficial naturally-occurring organisms that can be applied as inoculants to increase the microbial diversity of soil ecosystem.

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EM stands for Effective Microorganisms. EM comes in a liquid form and consists of naturally occurring beneficial microorganisms.

The microbes in EM are non-harmful, non-pathogenic, not-genetically-engineered or modified (non-GMO), and not-chemically-synthesized, and EM is not a medicine either.

The basic groups of microorganisms in EM are lactic acid bacteria (commonly found in yogurt, cheeses), yeast (bread), and phototrophic bacteria.

EM origin

In 1982 Dr. Higa at the University

of Ryukyus, Okinawa Japan,

discovered a specific group of

naturally occurring beneficial

microorganisms with an amazing

ability to revive, restore, and

preserve. He named this group

E.M.

EM the natural product

EM is the trade mark used to identify this particular mixture of

beneficial organismsE.M. is a combined culture of aerobic microorganisms (requiring oxygen to survive) and anaerobic (requires no oxygen to survive) that co-exist together to the mutual advantage of both (symbiosis).

E.M combines with the existing microorganisms within the soil.

They work together to build a healthy living soil.

E.M is not toxic or pathogenic and is safe for humans, animals

and the environment.

EM in action

Current research indicates that EM cultures can suppress soil-borne pathogens, accelerate the decomposition of organic wastes, increase the availability of mineral nutrients and useful organic compounds to plants, enhance the activities of beneficial micro-organisms, e.g., mycorrhizae, nitrogen fixing bacteria, and reduce the need for chemical fertilisers and pesticides. EM helps to increase beneficial soil micro-organisms and supression of harmful ones.

EM CONSISTS OF THE FOLLOWING FIVE FAMILIES OF MICRO-ORGANISMS:

• Lactic acid bacteria: These bacteria are differentiated by their powerful sterilizing properties.

• They suppress harmful micro-organisms and encourage quick breakdown of organic substances. In addition, they can suppress the reproduction of Fusarium, a harmful fungus

• Example, Lactobacillus plantarum, L. casei and Streptoccus lactis .

.• Yeasts: These manufacture anti-microbial

and useful substances for plant growth. Their metabolites are food for other bacteria such as the lactic acid and actinomycete groups

• Example, Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Candida utilis

• Actinomycetes: These suppress harmful fungi and bacteria and can live together with photosynthetic bacteria

• Example, Streptomyces albus and S. griseus

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• Photosynthetic bacteria: These bacteria play the leading role in the activity of EM.

• They synthesise useful substances from the secretions of roots, organic matter and/or harmful gases (e.g. hydrogen sulphide) by using sunlight and the heat of soil as sources of energy.

• They contribute to a better use of sunlight or, in other words, better photosynthesis. The metabolites developed by these micro-organisms are directly absorbed into plants.

• In addition, these bacteria increase the number of other bacteria and act as nitrogen binders.

• Rhodopseudomonas palustrus and Rhodobacter spaeroides

.

Fungi that bring about fermentation these break down the organic substances quickly. This suppresses smell and prevents damage that could be caused by harmful insects

Aspergillus oryzae, Penicillium sp. and Mucor hiemalis.

Using EM Liquid Concentrate

As a foliage application

Apply weekly using a clean sprayer and spray directly onto the plants ensuring through wetting. This should be done in early morning or late afternoon for best results and to prevent leaf scorch.

As a soil application

Give a good watering ensuring the solution fully drenches / wets the soil. Apply as required around mature plants or on open ground. When incorporating organic matter/compost into the soil, apply EM dilution to the organic matter before digging in.

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• No dig gardening• Cut any annual weeds, grass, or crop residues at least 5 cm

from the ground and place the material on the soil as a mulch. Spray EM liquid weekly on the mulch and plants.

• As a compost application• Apply to the compost heap to reduce troublesome odours

and flies as well as improving the compost process and quality. Preferably spray on with a hand sprayer to prevent over wetting the compost heap and apply at each addition of fresh material if possible.

.• EM for the garden• EM is a liquid concentrate and in

this form the micro organisms are alive but dormant. It is a dark brown liquid with a pleasant vinegary yeasty type smell. The pH of this liquid is approx. 3.5. To activate the EM simply dilute the concentrated solution with clean chlorine free water. The EM solution which is then produced is a yellowish brown in colour with a pleasant smell.

How to use EM

Procurement of

primary EM

Procurement of secondary EM

Appropriate dilution of

the secondary

EM solution

Application to plants,

soil and organic matters.

Advantages to Plants

Encourages growth and maturity in plants and makes plants greener.

Inhibits the growth of harmful bacteria that carry diseases in the soil.

Acts as a natural fertilizer by adding organic matter to the soil.

Controls the degree of soil moisturization and nutrient absorption.

Improves the physical, biological properties and ventilation in the soil.

Encourages rooting and flowering for plants.

Detoxifies residual herbicides and pesticides in the soil.

Eliminates the usage of chemical fertilizers.

Act as insecticides, pesticides and repellant to pests like rats and plant hoppers

APPLICATION OF EM1• Basically, EM can be applied in many ways,

namely as • EM1 stock solution• EM5 solution,• EM Bokashi • EM fermented plant extract.• EM Ceramics • EM-A

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• EM1 stock solution• Watering into the soil (by watering cans, sprinklers or

irrigation systems)• Spray onto plants (foliar spray) by sprayer or watering

can.• EM BOKASHI (EM fermented organic matters)• "Bokashi" is a Japanese word which means "Fermented

organic matter". It is made by fermenting organic matter (rice bran, oil cake, fish meal etc.) with EM.

• Bokashi is normally found as a powder or as granules.• EM Bokashi is fermented organic matter using EM

instead of forest or mountain soil. • Thus, EM Bokashi is an important additive to increase

effective microorganisms in the soil.

.• EM5 (EM fermented solutions)• EM5 is a fermented mixture of vinegar, spirits(alcohol),

molasses and EM 1.• It is used to spray the plant to suppress pathogens and keep

away insect pests. • EM Fermented Plant Extract (EM-F.P.E.)• EM fermented plant extract is a mixture of fresh weeds

fermented with molasses and EM1. • The main effect of this extract is to supply quality nutrients to

crops, and also to suppress pathogens and keep away insects.

EM Ceramics

• EM Ceramics - Improving water quality

EM ceramics can be in a variety of situations, but are best used with water, as they have the ability change it's 'structure'.

• Agriculture - To improve water quality and improve the health of your stock.

• EM ceramics are made by fermenting special montmorilite clays with EM and then baked. The ceramics come in two forms - Grey and Rose.

Conclusion

Organic or nature farming is considered a possible solution to many of the problems caused by industrialized agriculture. Hence EM is not a substitute for other management practices but an added dimension for optimizing our best soil and crop management practices such as crop rotation, use of organic amendments, conservation tillage, crop residue recycling and biocontrol of pest and diseases.