Effective Micro-Organisms (EM)

What is EM?

 EM is the abbreviation for (Effective Micro-Organisms also known as Effective Microbes or Efficient Microbes) and is a combination of various beneficial naturally occurring micro-organisms, EM contains beneficial organisms from three main groups: photosynthetic bacteria, lactic acid bacteria and yeast. These effective micro-organisms secrete beneficial substances such as vitamins, organic acids, chelated minerals and antioxidants, when in contact with organic matter they change the soil micro flora and fauna so that disease-inducing soil becomes disease-suppressing soil.

The anti-oxidation effects of these micro-organisms pass directly to the soil or indirectly to plants maintaining their NPK and CN ratio. This process increases the humus content of the soil and is capable of sustaining high quality food production.

Effective micro-organisms were developed over many years in liquid form by Prof. Dr. Teruo Higa of the University of the Ryukyus and finished in 1982. At first EM was considered an alternative for agricultural chemicals. But its use has now spread to application in environmental, industrial and health fields. It must be stressed that EM is not a synthetic chemical or a medicine but a microbial formulation.

The benefits of Effective Micro-organisms

By improving soil and plant health, EM assists in germination, flowering, fruiting and ripening in plants thus increasing yields and quality of produce.

EM also enhances the efficacy of organic matter as fertilizers and assists the photosynthetic capacity of plants (allowing them to use more of the light spectrum). 

Other beneficial effects include the suppression of soil borne pathogens and pests, and the ability to suppress weeds thus reducing the reliance on chemicals as control.

Both conventional and organic farmers have taken up the use of EM Effective micro-organisms. EM cuts fertiliser costs and in time also reduces the volume of weeds. As EM effective micro-organisms work largely in the anaerobic sector they are especially effective in areas where problems such as putrefaction, sludge and offensive odours occur.

EM effective micro-organisms are used in arable farming, vegetable production, orchards andViniculture. Using EM in fish breeding waters and ponds brings both an improvement in water quality and sludge reduction.

The micro-organisms in EM are able to convert the decomposing material derived from the settling organic matter such as leaves, algae, pollen, seed, fish food etc. This optimises the water quality and produces an excellent environment for fish breeding.

How EM was developed

Sanko Sangyo in Okinawa-Japan introduced and launched the research and the business of EM Technology 25 years ago. Prof. Teruo Higa of The University of the Ryukyus, joined to develop EM Products in early 80’s. Since then, Sanko Sangyo is devoted and dedicated to produce safe and high quality EM products for its customers to contribute in protecting of human and environmental health.

Their expertise has seen EM developed for use used in the following areas:

Bioremediation

Deodorisation

Agriculture

Using EM Technology, hazardous metals-laden mineral sludge can be converted into non-hazardous biological sludge for safe disposal and use as bio fertilizer in agriculture and as soil conditioner in the remediation saline-alkali lands.

EM Technology, can eliminate foul smelling odours emitted from the stagnant industrial and sewage water.

EM Technology, can be used to reclaim saline-alkali soil and hazardous groundwater can be made fit for irrigation purposes.

Farm refuse and animal manure can be converted into Bokashi compost for use in organic farming.

EM and Environmental pollution:

Industry produces 3 types of pollution

       1.   Air pollution with gases and smoke

       2.   Surface and groundwater pollution with the wastewater (effluent) loaded with various              types of salts and pollutants.

       3.   Land pollution; with the solid waste buried in landfill sites.

Using EM Technology can help to: 

EM in Agriculture:

The application of EM will improve soil and irrigation water. EM can be used as a seed treatment. EM can be used to make organic sprays for the enhancement of photosynthesis and control of insects, pests and diseases.

EM Technology helps to:

EM in Vegetable production

Using EM Technology can

EM in Gardens and Orchards

Fruits are a rich source of vitamins and minerals, but insecticide sprays can be dangerous for human health as the insecticide (poison) accumulates in the uppermost fruit layer. EM Technology has made it possible to grow fruits without insecticides. EM sprays help to control attack of insects, pests and diseases.

The application of EM in various forms helps to:

EM in Parks and Lawns

The application of EM products and EM composted organic matter helps to:

EM in Animal husbandry 

Rearing of animals is always accompanied with foul odours; storage of liquid and solid waste, their handling and management can be a problem to farmers.

The application of EM helps to:

Recycling of kitchen waste and Council Solid Waste

Local councils in the treatment of solid waste landfills have used EM Technology around the world. The motto of "acting locally" can be taken quite literally if we were all to incorporate the use of Effective Micro-organisms at home by treating all of our food and green wastes "locally". Solid wastes are inevitable in today's society, but how we manage the waste is the real problem, not having them. Getting rid of items that still have some usable value is not management, but waste.  Waste incineration leads to problems with air pollution as well as relying heavily on fuels to produce high heat for the process to work properly.  Materials that go into landfills include, but are not limited to, green wastes, food wastes, metals, plastics, construction debris, etc.

Local council landfill sites are managed under strict regulation requiring covering, dust control, odour control, and leachate management for air and groundwater protection. Landfill managers are concerned with these factors as well as compaction rates as well. Landfill gases are required to be captured as they could be explosive and are often flared because they are loaded with impurities that prevent them from being efficient energy sources. Increasing compaction rates and cleaning the gases with Effective Micro-organisms so they can be used would save taxpayers millions of dollars per month on a national level.

Food Waste

Do you compost? Have you bought one of those expensive big rotating drums? Do you have piles of materials in your yard that you wish you could just compost quickly?  How would you like to not have to turn piles of waste materials and turn that stuff into soil ASAP?  Are you limited on space?  Here is a way to increase the amount of materials you can recycle without going through the work of composting, speed up the process, and get the materials you have now turned into rich soil conditioner fast!

Find out about Bokashi Composting

Using EM helps to:

EM Research and Development

Sanko Sangyo’s scientists are engaged to carry out research on the use and application of EM products in various fields. The improvement in the quality of our products and the applications of EM Technology is based on our long-term research.

Research has proven that:

 

 

 

 

Activation of EM-1

Activation of EM-1

Original EM-1 is a brown-yellow liquid with a pleasant odour and a sweet-sour taste (like new wine or vinegar).  The pH of EM-1 should be at or below 3.5.  EM-1 is the basis of all the following applications and needs to be purchased either from a shop selling EM products or an EM agent.   Unopened, a bottle of EM-1 will have a shelf life of at least 6 months.  Once opened however, it should be kept in a cool dark place with lid tightly closed, and used within 6 months.  EM-1 is a living culture.  It can be used straight from the bottle, or to speed up the biological processes, it can be “activated” by the provision of food and warmth.  Adding warm water and molasses does this.  As EM-1 is affected by the quality of the water used in the activation stage, use water as close to pure water as you can obtain.  If tap-water containing chlorine is to be used, stand the water in an open container overnight to “age” i.e. allow chlorine to dissipate. 

 

Basic Activation:

You will need

2 litre plastic bottle

30 ml molasses     (3%)

30 ml EM-1           (3%)

940ml warm water (94%)

 

1.    Dissolve the molasses in a little hot water first, and then pour into plastic bottle. Do not use glass containers to activate EM, as the solution will expand during the fermentation process.

2.    Put the warm water to about ½ way, making sure water is not too hot.

3.    Add EM-1 and screw on tight fitting lid

4.    Leave in a warm place for 5 to 7 days, releasing gas if necessary.                      A sweet/sour or “pickled” smell and a pH of 3.5 – 4.5 means the activation        is complete, and once activated should be used up within 7 days. 

 

Activated EM solution should be diluted further for use.

Horticulture. Dilute by adding 10 ml per litre of water, (1:100) for foliar spray or watering in.

 

For Composting, Grease traps, Septic Systems and Odour Control.  Dilute 100ml Activated EM per Litre of Water (1:10) and spray.

In grease-traps and septic tanks use as necessary to maintain odour free conditions.  Actual amount depends on nutrient load, use as necessary.

For fish tanks and decorative Ponds dilute activated EM at the rate of 1:10,000. 

Please note that most water systems and fish habitats require additional processes for total care

The opened bottle of EM-1 should be stored in a cool dark place (not a refrigerator).   Check the smell, EM-1 should always have a sweet-sour smell, like vinegar, if it smells foul do not use it.  After the bottle is opened and air comes into it, a white membrane may be observed on the surface of the EM-1.  This is yeast and does not represent spoilage.