EM, or Effective Microorganisms, is a mixture of beneficial microbes that improves soil quality and plant growth. It was first marketed in 1982 and is now used in over 120 countries. EM has been successfully used to curb diseases following natural disasters and clean up polluted waterways by significantly increasing marine life. It consists of five families of microorganisms - lactic acid bacteria, yeasts, actinomycetes, photosynthetic bacteria, and fungi - that break down organic matter, suppress harmful fungi and bacteria, and produce nutrients to enhance plant growth.

3. EFFECTIVE
MICROORGANIS
MS TECHNOLOGY

12. Restoring the Planet’s Health
•
EM·1® was first marketed in Japan in 1982. There are now
54 EM® production plants around the world and it is being
applied in over 120 countries. EM·1® was recently used by
all countries impacted by the Tsunami Wave Disaster in
curbing the spread of pathogen diseases. The World Health
Organization’s prediction that more deaths would occur
from the spread of these diseases than from the disaster
never materialized. EM·1® has recently been used in
cleaning up the polluted inland seas of China and Japan –
where marine life and vegetation have significantly
returned. EM® Technologies™ has quietly been making
history around the world.

27. • What is EM?EM is the abbreviation
for Effective Micro-Organisms.
EM is a combination of useful regenerated
micro-organisms that exist freely in nature and
are not manipulated in any way.
This mixture increases the natural resistance
of soil, plants, water, humans, and animals.
EM considerably improves the quality and
fertility of soil as well as the growth and
quality of crops.

28. The possibilities and benefits in using EM are
numerable and include the following:
• For use in the home in daily life for everyone
• The recycling of kitchen waste and turning it into valuable
organic material;
• In the garden to improve soil structure, increase
productivity and to suppress both disease and weeds
• For solving all kinds of environmental problems such as
water, air, and soil pollution;
• In agriculture and horticulture, fruit and flower cultivation;
• In animal husbandry and for all kinds of pets;
• In fisheries, aquariums and swimming pools;
• In personal bodily hygiene and for the prevention and
treatment of health problems.

29. • The micro-organisms are naturally existing and
are not modified or manipulated in any way
and are cultured according to a specific
method. Some of which are known to produce
bioactive substances such as vitamins,
hormones, enzymes, antioxidants and
antibiotics that can directly, or indirectly
enhance plant growth and protection.

30. EM consists of the following five families of
micro-organisms:
• Lactic acid bacteria: these bacteria are differentiated by
their powerful sterilising 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.
• 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.
• Actinomycetes: these suppress harmful fungi and bacteria
and can live together with photosynthetic bacteria.

31. • 4. Photosynthetic bacteria: these bacteria play the leading
role in the activity of EM. They synthesize useful substances
from 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.
• 5. 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.

32. EM Philosophy
• Professor Teruo Higa distances himself from the uncompromising competition going on in
the world today. According to him this competition has a negative effect on issues of world
peace, health and the environment. This means that conditions are ripe for war, food
shortages and health problems to take
• place. Dr. Higa argues in favour of solidarity, peaceful co-existence and shared wealth. In
short he calls for more balance in the world. His ideas have been published in the books "An
Earth Saving Revolution" volumes 1 and 2.
• Effective Microorganisms, or EM is one of the most popular microbial technologies being
used worldwide now and EM products have been on the market since 1983 in Japan.
• EM comes in a liquid form and consists of naturally-occurring beneficial microorganisms.
• Throughout the world, EM applications are made in the farming, livestock, environmental
clean-up (polluted waterways, lakes and lagoons), and health industries
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