EM: A Microbial Product for Sustainable Agriculture

Microorganisms are widely utilized in human medicine and health, food processing, agricultural biotechnology, environmental protection and the treatment of wastes. These organisms are most effective when introduced into a suitable environment containing substrates that match their metabolic needs. Professor Teruo Higa of Ryukus University in Japan identified several microorganisms that promote agricultural production and environmental conservation (Higa 1993). The microorganisms are packaged as “EM Technology”, including a product “EM1”_® that is stocked in Kenya by several retailers.

This technology consists of naturally-occurring microorganisms that are compatible with one another and can coexist in liquid culture. The microorganisms include photosynthetic bacteria (Rhodopseudomonas spp.), lactic acid bacteria (Lactobacillus spp.) and yeast (Saccharomyces spp.). When in contact with organic matter, they secrete beneficial substances such as vitamins, organic acids, minerals and antioxidants that beneficially affect plants and other micro-organisms (Table 1). In agriculture, EM promotes crop growth and yield through improved release of plant nutrients, photosynthesis, resistance to plant diseases, efficacy of organic matter as fertilizers and in suppression of soil-borne pathogens and pests. The EM product also reduces offensive smells from industrial and domestic waste disposal sites, inhibits proliferation of harmful microorganisms and vectors such as flies, mosquitoes and ticks and retards the oxidation of metals.

EM is not a substitute for other management practices, rather it may be considered a compatible accompanying technology. It may be combined with other sustainable land managements such as crop rotations, use of organic amendments, conservation tillage, crop residue recycling and biocontrol of pests. In Kenya, this technology is promoted by EM Kenya for use by organic and conventional farmers. In environmental management, EM may be used to treat industrial and human wastes as it controls odors and accelerates decomposition.

EM Technology in Agriculture

EM1_® is sold in one liter plastic bottles containing a yellow-brown liquid with an acidic pH (<4.0).>

According to Prof. Higa, the microorganisms contained in EM promote more favorable soil microbial populations which decompose organic inputs and soil organic matter and also suppress plant parasitic organisms. Non-symbiotic microbial innoculants are relatively new to organic farming systems and show promise as a means to regulate microbial processes in the phylloplane (leaves), rhizosphere (roots) and soil. Because these processes are complex and biologically-based, the effects of EM technology are not as predictable or consistent compared to more conventional agro-chemicals, but nor are they as destructive to the environment. EM technology is considered “organic” and may be used within certified production systems. Preliminary field trials with tomatoes at Embu in Eastern Kenya suggest that a very large economic return may be obtained from spraying EM onto crops (Table 2).

Other EM Products and Applications

Figure 1. Applying an EM solution to climbing beans using a watering can at a dilution of 1:1000.

EM extended solution is prepared by mixing EM stock, molasses and water. It is stored in an air tight container for 7-14 days to ferment until the solution attains a pH of below 4.0 and with a sweet sour smell. Its shelf life is normally 30 days after fermentation.

EM fermented plant extract is made by fermenting young fresh weeds with molasses and EM stock. It contains organic acids, bioactive substances, minerals and other useful organic compounds. By absorbing these derivatives, the plant develops antioxidants and improves its resistance to diseases. It should be applied after seedling emergency to control pests and diseases.

EM insect repellant is prepared from molasses, vinegar, distilled spirit and EM stock and stored in a tightly closed plastic container away from direct sunlight for 7-14 days. It should be used within three months after preparation by spraying a diluted solution of 1:200 (100 ml EM: 20 litres) after seed germination.

Figure 2. Applying an EM solution to young pumpkin vines using a backpack sprayer at a dilution of 1:500.

EM compost is made by applying fermented plant extract at 1:100 and sprinkling it onto a compost pile until it contains about 30% moisture. The compost is then covered and left to react for 30 to 40 days, when the compost is ready for application to the filed.

EM fermented livestock feed is made by sprinkling EM onto the feed, mixing and storing in an airtight plastic container for 10-14 days. A sweet sour smell indicates good quality silage while a rotten smell, resulting from excess oxygen, indicates poor quality. Add the fermented feed to the regular livestock feed and use within 3 months.

References

EM Technologies. 1996. The Apnan User’s Manual: EM Nature Farming Guide. EM Kenya, Embu. 139 pp.

Higa, T. and Parr, J.F. 1994. Beneficial and Effective Microorganisms (publisher not provided). 416 pp.

Higa, T. 1993. An Earth Saving Revolution. Ryukus University, Japan. 436 pp.

Turf Maintenance with Effective Microorganisms (EM)

Agriculture

Managing Turf with Effective Microorganisms

EM-1® Microbial Inoculant has quickly become an essential tool in sustainable and organic management of healthy turf. EM-1® has been utilized by the Integrated Pest Management (IPM) division of the Park and Recreation Department of the City of San Francisco for the past 4 years to improve turf quality and without the use of dangerous fungicides and pesticides. EM-1® is a necessary technology for the golf course industry to help meet new city and state government mandates that require up to an 80% reduction of most fungicides and pesticides. The public is now demanding turf management that does not compromise the environment or our health. EM-1® represents a viable solution, and is a safe and effective alternative for residential lawns, city parks, schools, and golf courses.

EM-1® supplies a benificial micro-ecology that improves soil structure, drainage, and water retention of the soil's rhizosphere (root zone). EM-1® will significantly improve turf quality during the months of extreme heat and moisture when disease pressure is greatest.

Amount of Turf Stress	Application frequency	Application Rate (EM-1®:Water)	Hose-end sprayer setting
Low	Once a month	1:100	1-1.5oz./gallon
High	Once a week	1:50	2-3oz./gallon

Managing Turf with Effective Microorgansims™

Recommendations for a successful EM-1® lawn:

1. Apply the EM-1® with a hose-end sprayer, backpack sprayer, or inject EM-1® into the irrigayion system. EM-1® can be applied once a week during periods of extreme drought or rain and once a month for maintaining optimal turf quality and health.
2. Use organic fertilizers with EM-1®. During cool weather apply EM-1® with liquid kelp. In the fall or spring Effective microorganisms can be applied with a liquid fish emulsion.
3. Use a "mulching mower" to chop and redeposit the grass clipping. Spray EM-1® onto the turf after mowing. This enables the clippings to rapidly breakdown into stable organic matter for the soil. Organic matter particles provides a home for EM-1® to establish in the soil.

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EM Application in Tsunami Wave Disaster

After the Tsunami Disaster in 2004, the Thai Army began spraying decomposing corpses washing ashore with EM. Red Cross International and Red Crescent officials then instructed other countries in how to apply the microbial decontaminant to other coastal-damaged areas. The deaths from the spread of pathogen diseases that the World Health Organization had predicted following the disaster never happened. Senator Panot Tas-neeyanond of Thailand recently stated that, "In the aftermath of the Tsunami Disaster in the southern Andaman coastal provinces of Thailand, the Thai military and other relief authorities did use EM to help the victims in the ravaged areas. They sprayed the EM on the dead bodies, animals and other debris after the tsunami calamity and this mitigated the problems of the spread of pathogens and diseases to the vulnerable populations nearby I therefore support the use of EM for the Katrina Disaster relief in the USA

Tsunami Wave Disaster

A day after the tsunami struck the coastal areas of southern Thailand, the manufacturer of EM in Thailand, EM Kyusei gathered to discuss the possible ways to provide help to the affected areas. On the same day, Dec. 29th, Lt. Gen. Chinnarat of the Thai Royal Army (retired), advisor to the Science and Technology Committee of the Parliament and a strong advocate for EM, contacted Mr. Kazuhiko Wakugami telling that the military had been requested by the Chairperson of the Thai Red Cross to use EM in the affected areas. Henceforth, on the same day, 2 tons of EM1 was airlifted using the Thai Royal Air force plane to the affected area in Phang Nga Province, one of the hardest struck areas. They sprayed EM dilution at the temple, where dead bodies were placed temporarily for identification. There were more that 1,000 dead bodies at the temple and the Thai military was collecting the dead bodies from the disaster struck areas. They made activated EM (AEM) there and sprayed dilution of AEM every day at a dilution of 100. Among other things, a 10 ton fire truck lorry was used as well as shoulder pack sprayers. There was a general comment among doctors, military people, and other volunteers that a 50% smell reduction was observed. There was some initial protest over EM/AEM use from some forensic doctors but after observing the smell reduction, all protests stopped. EM Kyusei knew that a more concentrated solution would have more effect. However the initial problem was bringing EM into some of the inaccessible areas. At the request of the Red Cross, EM Kyusei provided 5 tons of EM on Jan 4. EM Kyusei staff brought the EM on land along with 10 staff members who have continued work with volunteers.

This is a tranlation letter from a SENATOR OF THAILAND on the use of EM in the aftermath of the TSUNAMI in Thailang.

Dear Sirs,

My name is Panat Tasneeyanond. I am currently member of the Upper House (the Senate) of the National Assembly of Thailand and serving in my capacity as committee member of the Senate Environment and Agriculture Committees. From 2000 - 20004, I used to serve as chairman of the Senate Environment committee.

Professor Panfilo Tabora of the EARTH University has asked me to write this testimonial in support of the use of EM for Katrina hurricane disater relief in the USA.

To the best of my knowledge, Thailand has been using EM for 22 years now and is handled by the Natural Farming Associations in Saraburi where the EM is produced. In the aftermath of the Tsunami disaster in the southern Andaman coastal provinces of Thailand, the Thai military and other relief authorities did use EM to help the victims in the ravaged areas. They sprayed the EM on the dead bodies, animals and other debris after the Tsunami calamity and this mitigated the problems of the spread of pathogens and diseases to the vulnerable populations nearby. It also reduced the foul stench and flies and made work very agreeable to the relief volunteers.

To further confirm the statement above, the following report by Asia Pacific Natural Agricultural Network (APNAN) is quoted as saying:

"THAILAND USES EM FOR POST TSUNAMI DAMAGE CONTROL - Thailand was also affected by the Tsunami in the Indian Ocean – and our dear friends and colleagues of EM Kyusei, who handle the EM projects in the Royal Kingdom worked close in hand with the Royal Thai Army and the Red Cross to improve sanitation in the affected areas withEM. EM Kyusei provided large quantities of EM free to the affected areas and supplies were even airlifted – to the affected regions in the South of the Kingdom. Again, the reports reaching us state the success of EM and even skeptics who were against EM were convinced of the immediate benefits caused by EM – hence we are very happy that the technology promoted by us really worked in emergency situations – and we do pledge our support to all who are interested and hence will help if requested. We also offer our sincere congratulations to EM Kyusei and all those involved in the relief operations for using this beneficial technology at the time of the crisis – this really proves the effect of Effective Microorganisms."

Sincerely yours,


Panat Tasneeyanond
Senator, Member of the Senate Environment and Agriculrure Committees

EM Application in German Flood Relief

Following the floods of the Elbe River in 2002, the German government immediately began applying EM to the contaminated stagnant waters and drained sites in the Witten-berg District. In response to the Katrina disaster, the Honorable Michael Meissner, head of the District Authority for Fire Rescue and Disaster Control wrote, "We believe that the application of these (Effective) Microorganisms could be a valuable contribution for the citizens of New Orleans and the whole affected area. We, being the region impacted in 2002, as well as the whole population of Wittenberg County, were grateful for having such support. We also wish the citizens of New Orleans such assistance in this difficult task of coping with the damage after the flood, and for the future we wish for a quick return to normalcy.

German Flood Relief

The great flood of the Elbe River in August 2002 was the biggest flood disaster in Germany in decades, with 20 casualties and more than $20 billion (USA) of damage in property and infrastructure. The flood was caused by extreme and continuous rainfall for many days in the mountains of Austria, the Czech Republic and Germany. This is in no way comparable to the disaster of last December’s tsunami in the countries bordering on the Indian Ocean but just the same people had to experience how helpless we are in face of such forces of nature.The Elbe River, one of the major streams in Europe, stretches slightly more than 1000 kilometers from east to west and descends 1384 meters from its origin in the Bohemian mountains to the North Sea. 65% of it passes through Germany, 34% through the Czech Republic. The catchment area amounts to 148,268 square kilometers. The stream flow per year measures at the Czech-German border 10 billion cubic meters and at its mouth 28 billion cubic meters per year.

In many places the dams left and right of the river were soaked to the core and threatened to break. In fear of the dams breaking, thousands of volunteers helped to strengthen and secure them. Also, parts of the German Army were called in to assist by hand or with heavy machinery where this was possible. Because of the soaked grounds in many occasions, help could only come on foot or by helicopters. Sometimes single estates and even single villages were secured by strengthening the dams. Many of these attempts failed in the end because of the tremendous amounts of water. The strong current swept everything along and carried all kinds of debris in houses, gardens and fields. When the dams broke the water poured into open fields and rushed down streets, flooding villages and towns from the back so that there was no protection for the inhabitants any more. Thus, the water flooded large areas and hundreds of villages and towns in the rather flat region.
In Germany a large number of private houses have oil tanks for the central heating systems in their basements. One of the major problems was the oil from underground storage or from the oil tanks in private cellars. Millions of liters of oil were washed into houses, gardens and fields. In addition hundreds of communal wastewater treatment plants – notably those of the city of Dresden - were flooded so that their sludge along with chemicals and excrement mixed with the oil and contaminated everything within its reach. Due to various contaminants, the cultivation of crops and vegetables was impossible for a prolonged time. Farms as well as industrial entities were affected.
Roughly one year before in the German speaking countries Austria, Germany and Switzerland a Non-profit organization entitled EM e.V. had been founded. As soon as the scale of the catastrophe was obvious they decided to help in the aftermath with donations of Effective Microorganisms™ or EM•1^®. In Germany alone more than 6,000 liters of EM•1^® were donated and shipped to one particular area in order to help fight the developing stench and contamination. With the help of volunteers the producer of EM•1^® in Germany, EMIKO Ltd., filled 4,000 liters in 10-liter containers and had them shipped to the Elbe River area. One dealer produced 2,000 liters of Activated EM•1^® and had it shipped there, too. At the same time the Austrian producer of EM•1^®, Multikraft Ltd., donated several thousand liters to support one particular area in Austria where the heavy rains had broken the dams of one particular river and devastated a number of villages and towns in a similar manner.
The operation was limited to a few villages by the Elbe River. The first problem: Apart from one family, no one had heard of EM•1^® before. So, first, of all the inhabitants were called to meetings where they were informed of the properties of EM•1^® and briefly educated on how and where to use EM•1^® most effectively. After the instruction every household could take 10 liters home, but some asked for additional EM•1^® for neighbors and friends.
While giving out the EM•1^® many questions had to be answered. Most people needed EM•1^® to eliminate stench and mold from their previously flooded rooms and basements. They also wanted to treat their gardens, orchards and ponds. Some volunteers were able to stay an extra day and visit some of the places in order to give advice on the use of EM•1^®. Many trees had lost their fruit or died from the contamination.
Through the contacts of a native Japanese individual living in Germany who volunteered in the whole operation, a team from a Japanese TV station came to report on the flood. The also came to film the activities at a school where teachers and students together learned about the efficiency of the EM•1^®. Here the school’s principal gave an interview on how Effective Microorganisms™, conceived by Dr. Higa in Japan, could now help a school in Germany. Due to the flood, the entire ground floor of the school could not be used. With applications of EM•1^® all renovation could be executed without suffering from stench and mold. For many people the appearance of mold became the biggest problem. Fortunately, EM•1^® proved to prevent the growth of these molds quite effectively.

What you need from EM

EM - effective Microorganism

For sustainable Environment and Healthy Life

EM can be applied in various ways to enhance healthy environment and healthy life:

AT HOME	Making compost from kichen garbage Spraying EM on the carpet keeps bugs away and the room becomes less dusty. Spraying EM on the pets keeps flee or bugs away, eliminates their peculiar smell. Adding a few drops of EM in their drinking water enhances their health, and their excretions becomes less semlly.	Spraying EM can keep the kichen always clean and shiny. Adding a capful EM into the washing machine re- quires less detergent and makes the clothes so fluffy after rinsing, thus they dry so quickly. Spraying EM on the plants enhances their healthy growth tremendously with stronger resisitance against diseases, thus it eliminates the need of use of pestiside and chemical fertilizer.	Spraying EM into the refrige - rator as a substitute of deodorant. Pouring a capful EM into the toilet or water tank prevents grime and clogging pipe, plus keep the toilet odorless. Spraying EM into the hood of the car enhances the combustion efficiency of the gas because of anti-rustic effect and peculiar vibrational energy of EM, thus you can save a lot of cost of energy.
AGRI- CULTURAL & FARMING	Organic farming based on EM compost or fertilizer and irrigation system with EM- diluted water yields healthier and bigger crops with richer nutrients.	Chickens fed on EM-processed food grows healthier and their egss conatins so much nutrients than normal. Notice the yellow part of a egg does not break easily because it is so healthy.	EM fed cattles and swines usallygrow very healthy, their manures hardly smell which can be recycled as excellent organic fertilizer. You do not need any antibiotics or hormones to make them fat or disease-free.

No More Waste with EM

A system to process all organic kitchen garbage into pulverized fertilizer

Households that have their own fields or kitchen gardens can easily recycle their kitchen garbage into EM compost and use it by themselves, and this practice is becoming common in many places around Japan. This kind of grassroots movement is of course very essential, but this time I would like to present a recycling system which can turn all food remains into high quality fertilizer. This system would cover all households, including those in apartments, and also restaurants, hotels, food- processing factories etc. Food refuse from the lives of 120millon people in Japan would produce enough fertilizer to replace all chemical fertilizers now in use, and thus offer us really healthy farm products grown in Japan.

The effect of EM fertilizer is not limited to the revival of farming.EM-Bokashi-used daily in households would revive the family life as well because EM purifies the atmosphere in the house making everyone healthier and happier. Furthermore, every citizen can feel he or she is taking part in the restoration of the earth.

In order to process all garbage into pulverized EM-fertilizer, we need to construct a great number of factories throughout Japan. As for their management, nongovernmental enterprises would be the best solution, but for the cost of the plants and equipment they would need financial aid from local and central governments. This public financing can be provided by the money, which was previously used for burning garbage at incinerators.

Transportation of the garbage from homes, restaurants, etc to the factories is not a big problem at all since we can use the present collecting system now in use to carry garbage from collecting stations to the incinerators. Citizens are already used to separating garbage according to type and putting it out for collection. The more difficult question is how to persuade households to add EM-Bokashi at home to their garbage before it is taken out for collection. Local governments should provide all households with garbage containers, and instruct citizens to sprinkle EM-Bokashi onto the garbage every time it is put into the container. The price of Bokashi is very low, so I believe most people would be ready to pay the cost in order take part in this recycling movement. In the case of those people who are not ready to cooperate in using Bokashi at their homes, EM could be added to the garbage after it is carried to the factory. At any rate the raw garbage should be collected every day to prevent it from spoiling. Then it is not too late to treat it with EM after collection.

In order to further improve the quality of the fertilizer, it is better to add other organic materials into garbage while processing it. This year I visited a few fertilizer factories and found out they were using rice bran, activated carbon, fossil seashell, minerals, dung etc together with food garbage to produce high quality fertilizer.

To my knowledge there are already quite a few EM-fertilizer factories operating in Japan and far more in other countries around the world, so we already have enough proof of the effectiveness of EM as a method of recycling garbage. The next step is to create a nation-wide organization in order to extend this system to recycle all the garbage in Japan.

When this system is put on track and pulverized EM-fertilizer is available everywhere at a low price, I am sure more and more farmers will be ready to use it and say good -bye to harmful chemical fertilizers and pesticides.

However, it is too optimistic to believe this system can spread to every corner of Japan all at once. I think it is better to select a few pilot communities where EM- technology is already recognized by local governments and used widely by common citizens. Governmental workers are sensitive to everything new, and often drag their feet when it comes to something for which there is no precedent. However, after something is proved officially, it can quickly become a boom.

As for myself, I would like to attempt to prepare a draft for a new law concerning garbage recycling. Of course nobody can do this kind of a job alone, so I need to find a number of Diet members who believe in this plan and who are willing to work together on it.

Think of EM•1® Bokashi as a fertilizer

Compost, is broken down organic matter. It is actually rotten material. Many methods of making compost exist: static pile, aerobic, sheet composting, etc. It has a place in gardening and is a great way to recycle or turn waste into something useful. However, as for nutrients, it is lacking. This is why bokashi is such a boon.

If you garden, you know that manures are great for plants and soils. You also know that you can't apply fresh manure to soils where plants are growing because you'll burn the plants. Why? The high amounts of nitrogen. A couple other problems come from using fresh manure. Fresh manure has high levels of ammonia (NH3) that can leach into soils or gas off causing odor. The problem with the leaching is high levels of nitrates in the groundwater can cause blue baby syndrome...it is a toxin. A more mundane problem with fresh manures is the amount of weed seeds..mostly a problem in cow manure and horse manure. If you've ever made the mistake of applying horse manure to soil without fully composting it, you know that you just planted a new lawn! So, for safety and to save yourself of the headaches of excess weeding, you need to compost manures...or so you think.

The addition of EM•1® Microbial Inoculant to conventional composting methods is beneficial as it helps increase aerobic microbial populations, controls, odors, and produces a complete product faster.

Enter EM•1® Bokashi

All organic matter/wastes has lots of nutrients and sugars to feed microbes. Animal manures contain NPK, minerals, cellulose, and lots of microbes. The conventional way to make manures usable is to compost them. You often use ratios of Nitrogen to Carbon at 1:20 1:30 and so on. Moisture content is high because you will be turning and creating heat (mostly coming from the nitrogen and the microbial activity). EPA standards for composting require high temperatures to control pathogens, attraction to pests, and for breaking down toxins.

Fermentation of these manures is pretty easy, more economical, and faster than turning. With EM Technology™, we refer to this process as "bokashi" making. The finished product is called EM•1® Bokashi. Instead of referring this to compost, we often find ourselves explaining this is a fertilizer-making method where one is able to preserve nutrients in the organic wastes, prevent burning of plants, and save lots of money. The fermentation process produces various enzymes, vitamins, and amino acids. There also is not much heat produced during fermentation. This means that the weed seeds are not killed. Actually, the exposure to the EM•1® causes the seeds to germinate more quickly, so if the wastes are spread on the surface, there will be a tremendous amount of weed seeds germinating. This, when managed properly, is a great thing because you have produced a "free" green manure that can be turned in in about 2-3 weeks.

The conclusion is that each process has its benefits. EM•1® Bokashi methods are great for faster production, but are best to be incorporated in the soil or covered by top soils and compost is great to add lots of organic matter and to use a mulch