Effective Microorganisms

1. EFFECTIVE MICRO ORGANISMS IN
ORGANIC AGRICULTURE
Presented by,
KAVI

2. 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.

3. .
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.

4. EMorigin
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.

5. EM the natural product
EM is the trade mark used to identify this particular mixture of
beneficial organisms
E.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.

6. 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.

7. 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 .

8. .• 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

9. .
• 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

10. .
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.

11. 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.

12. .
• 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.

13. .
• 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.

14. How to use EM
Procurem
ent of
primary
EM
Procureme
nt of
secondary
EM
Appropriate
dilution of
the
secondary
EM solution
Applicatio
n to plants,
soil and
organic
matters.

15. 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

16. 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

17. .
• 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.

18. .
• 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.

19. 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.

20. 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.