Effective Microorganisms Research Articles

EFFECTIVE MICROORGANISMS: A REVIEW OF THEIR PRODUCTS AND USES

Effective Microorganisms (EM) is a blend of live beneficial microorganisms whose synergistic actions either directly or indirectly produce a wide variety of substances with which it can arrest diseases, promote good health and prevent environmental degradation. The concept of Effective Microorganisms was first developed by Professor Higa in 1970 when he was looking for an alternative to agricultural chemicals. The Scientist discovered that naturally occurring microorganisms can be a powerful tool if combined together in mixed cultures and are physiologically compatible with one another. EM consists of lactic acid bacteria, photosynthetic bacteria, yeasts, fermenting fungi and actinomycetes. Although there are controversies over the scientific claims of EM technology, its application in agriculture has been widely researched. Its uses in other areas of life such as food waste recycling, enhanced organic composting, enhancing soil structure, increasing soil health and productivity among other uses are well documented. Many researches on EM have produced satisfactory results on its uses in animal production, environmental management, health and preventive medicine, among others. EM can be applied in many different forms, with EM-Bokashi being the most widely used. EM is a promising tool that can replace the use of chemicals in a wide area of life and this requires more researches to explore other possible beneficial applications. This review is aimed at revealing information about the nature of effective microorganisms, identifying the different products made with EM and the different areas in which they are applied.

Formulation of Effective Microorganism [EM] to Analyse its Impact on Municipal Wastewater Management

Discharging wastewater from households, industries, and other sources into the environment without treatment hurts the ecosystem as well as people’s quality of life by causing negative impacts on all living species, including health concerns to humans such as diarrhoea which kills 3,50,000 Indian children annually and only 33% of India’s urban wastewater is treated. The majority of energy is dedicated solely to the aeration process, which regulates the degradation of organic matter (sludge) found in wastewater, which is one of the most critical issues in wastewater treatment. As a result, the goal of this research is to develop long-term strategies for degrading organic materials using Effective Microorganisms Technology (EM). EM, also known as Effective Microorganism, is a carefully selected and proportioned liquid culture of fermenting microorganisms. In this study, three microorganisms were isolated from various sources, including soil, yogurt, and milk by serial dilution and spread plate technique, each isolate was made into a pure culture after incubation. They were identified by the VITEK method as Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Lactobacillus sporogenes, and Candida albicans. The microbial consortium was then formed by incubating all three organisms in a nutrient broth that had been modified. Each microorganism culture and formulated microbial culture were added to sewage samples taken in Erlenmeyer flasks. All samples were tested for physico-chemical parameters such as pH, BOD, COD, TDS, TSS, SO4 ²– and Cl- after a three-day incubation period at room temperature. The standard deviation method was used for statistical analysis and Microsoft Power BI was used to visualize the results. Lactobacillus sporogenes was the only culture that showed a significant reduction in all parameters except one when compared to other cultures that showed a reduction in most parameters except a few. As a result, Lactobacillus proved to be effective in wastewater treatment when compared with other cultures. Further research is required to determine its true potential.

Is the use of commercial organic ameliorants for cropping justified?

Large areas of soils in sub-Saharan Africa are poor in organic matter and nitrogen-phosphorus-potassium (NPK) fertilisation is essential for cropping. Most farmers are smallholders who cannot afford NPK fertilisers but they could consider alternatives like commercial organic ameliorants.This applies also for commercial farmers to improve profitability. The effects of nine ameliorants on the grain yield, biomass yield and harvest index of maize were evaluated over three years at Bothaville (8% clay), Ottosdal (12% clay) and Potchefstroom (34% clay). All ameliorants were applied as manufacturers prescribe. None of the ameliorants can serve as replacement of NPK fertilisers. Active ingredients other than the small amounts of N, P and K they contain, comprised of effective microorganisms (EMs), human manure, humic acids and poultry manure, and were not able to boost crop growth as manufacturers advocated. Biozone (EMs), Gliogrow (EMs), Growmax (Human manure), K-humate (Humic acid) and Crop Care (Humic acid) that were applied with NPK fertilisation resulted in 22 to 44% instances in significantly higher grain yield (938 to 1 288 kg ha−1) compared to the NPK control; however, many inconsistencies between experimental sites and years were observed. The use of commercial organic ameliorants cannot recommended to farmers without proper evaluation.

Conservation Analysis of Food Waste Composting: Insight from the Nutrient Content and Compost Quality Index (CQI) Assessment

Compost has a critical role in preserving and conserving soil health and increasing soil fertility, both of which are essential for sustainable agricultural systems. The purpose of this research was to evaluate the efficacy of effective microorganisms (EM) in composting vegetable waste (VW), fruit waste (FW), and mixed food waste (MFW) using the Takakura Composting Method. During the 30-day composting period, nutrient content, including total nitrogen (TN), total phosphorus (TP), potassium (K), carbon to nitrogen (C/N) ratio, pH, and phytotoxicity as measured by germination index (GI), were evaluated. The compost quality index (CQI) was also used to evaluate the quality of the compost. The results showed that all VW, FW and MFW had pH values, TN, TP, K and C/N ratios that were within the acceptable range for mature and high-quality compost. The GI of VW and MFW were both above 80%, while FW’s GI was slightly phytotoxic at 79.3%. Based on the CQI score, MFW was found to be a very good compost variant, trailed by VW and FW. The results show that EM can accelerate the production of high-quality compost, which benefits conservation efforts.

Effect of micro organisms on physiological traits, growth and yield of sunflower under rainfed condition

Effect of micro organisms on physiological traits, growth and yield of sunflower under rainfed condition

Effectiveness of cow dung and effective microorganisms on composting of napkins and diapers

Effectiveness of cow dung and effective microorganisms on composting of napkins and diapers

Assessment of bacteria and fungi in food waste compost using hybrid dehydrated food waste associated with Effective Microorganisms (EM)

Assessment of bacteria and fungi in food waste compost using hybrid dehydrated food waste associated with Effective Microorganisms (EM)

Removal of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons from leachates after autothermal thermophilic aerobic digestion using effective microorganisms

Removal of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons from leachates after autothermal thermophilic aerobic digestion using effective microorganisms

Comparative Study between Organic Liquid Fertilizer and Commercial Liquid Fertilizer and Their Growth Performances on Mustard Greens

Organic liquid fertilizers (OLF) are made up of essential plant nutrients, as well as beneficial microbes that assist in the recycling of organic waste. The purpose of this study was to determine the macronutrient content of organic liquid fertilizers and compare the growth performance of mustard greens under Wick System hydroponic conditions. Market wastes also known as vegetable wastes, were utilized to produce organic liquid fertilizers and compare it to commercial fertilizer (Nutrient Solution, NS). The vegetable wastes were fermented with water and Effective Microorganisms (EM) Bokashi separately. The ratios used for fermentation are 2 kilograms of vegetable wastes, 0.5 litres of water and 100 grams of EM Bokashi. A parameter study on the OLF and OLF with Bokashi to determine the nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) were done. Thereafter, four Wick System (pure water, OLF, OLF with Bokashi and NS) were setup to monitor the growth performance of mustard greens twice a week. The organic liquid fertilizers are produced after 40 days of fermentation and used at a dilution of 1: 10 in the hydroponic system. The OLF and OLF with Bokashi showed the ranges of pH values as 5.1 and 4.6 respectively. The results for the hydroponic system showed that OLF demonstrated the best growth performance. The number and size of leaves and the height of the plants in the NS hydroponic system were almost similar to the plants in OLF hydroponic system. The colour of plants in OLF changed slightly to yellowish green towards the end of the growing season. The life spent of mustard greens in OLF with Bokashi hydroponic system was the least compared to other hydroponic system. This study showed that organic liquid fertilizer is as effective as commercial liquid fertilizer. Considering, it has all the nutrients that plants need to grow.

Susceptibility of Sweet Potato Varieties to Meloidogyne incognita and Use of Effective Microorganisms and Compost Manure for the Disease Management

Susceptibility of Sweet Potato Varieties to Meloidogyne incognita and Use of Effective Microorganisms and Compost Manure for the Disease Management

Enhancing the composting process by using lactic acid bacilli for the hygienic disposal of dead fish.

Fish producers in Iraq currently facing large and growing problems, represented by the difficulty of getting rid of large numbers of dead fish as a result of mass phenomenon mortality since 2018. As their treatment and disposal have become very cumbersome and costly, and leaving it to wild animals and natural forces is unacceptable, so most of them resort to the composting method because it is a simple, easy, and inexpensive process and benefits outputs, but it takes a long time. The study aimed to compare two different composting methods for the disposal of dead fish, one of them includes the use of lactic acid bacilli (LAB) to improve composting efficiency. Sawdust, hay, one-inch perforated plastic tubes, plastic covers, and dead fish were used to make four equal composting piles, two of them were treated with LAB, and others were left to compost naturally, the composted content was daily tested physically for color, odors, pH estimation, and LAB count. The results showed that there are significant differences between normal-composed and LAB-treated groups in duration and efficiency, the total threshold limits of temperature, pH, and LAB count were 60°C ± 8°C, 6.7 ± 0.04, and 10.8 × 106 ± 1.96 CFU/g, respectively, in normal composting groups, while they were 70°C ± 2.8°C, 4.26 ± 0.01, and 23.2 × 106 ± 1.34 CFU/g, respectively, with total decomposition and disintegration of fish carcasses through 31 days in effective microorganisms treated groups. We concluded that the use of LAB in composted materials led to a quick and efficient composting process in terms of heat, pH, LAB count, total disintegration speed, and the ability of biosafety.

The Impact of the Addition of Effective Microorganisms on Selected Parameters of Engine Oil

The Impact of the Addition of Effective Microorganisms on Selected Parameters of Engine Oil

Impact of effective microorganisms on the vermicomposting of sewage sludge

Impact of effective microorganisms on the vermicomposting of sewage sludge

Brown algae (Sargassum sp) extract prepared by indigenous microbe fermentation enhanced tomato germination parameters

Treatment during the germination process is a very important factor in improving the quality and quantity of tomato plant production. This study aims to determine the effect of the extract of Sargassum sp. brown seaweed (Ochrophyta, Fucales) which was fermented by several types of microbes in the germination of tomato plants. The types of microbes used in this study were Bacillus subtilis, Paenibacillus polymyxa, Trichoderma sp. and Gliocladium sp. The parameters observed were germination percentage, vigor index, germination energy, extract salinity, and plant height. The results of observations of germination percentage showed that the most effective treatment was treatment with fungi fermented Sargassum sp extract at a concentration of 2.5% with a germination percentage of 96.00%. The vigor index of tomato seedlings showed that the addition of commercial effective microorganism (EM4) at a concentration of 2.5% was the most effective treatment with the mean seed vigor index having a value of 1110.00%. Observations of germination energy showed that for all treatment groups at all concentrations the germination energy was significantly different from the negative control group. The germination index was highest after the treatment with the fungi fermented Sargassum sp. extract at a concentration of 5% with a germination index value of 357.33%. The result of testing the effect of fermented Sargassum sp extract on the height of tomato plants showed that treatment with Sargassum sp extract with EM4 at a concentration of 5% was the most effective treatment with a plant height for 13.67 cm.

Physical and Chemical Properties of Organic Fertilizer from Banana (Musa Paradisiaca) Leaf and Stem with Effective Microorganism Activactors (EM4)

Physical and Chemical Properties of Organic Fertilizer from Banana (Musa Paradisiaca) Leaf and Stem with Effective Microorganism Activactors (EM4)

RESPONSE OF Jatropha curcas PLANTS TO EM WHEN GROWN IN SAND SOIL AMENDED WITH ORGANIC MATTER

This study consummated in the open field at the nursery of Hort. Res. Inst., A.R.C., Giza, Egypt during 2020 and 2021 seasons to explore the response of Jatropha curcas plants to EM (effective microorganisms) which was applied as soil drench at 3 ml/L, 5 times with one month interval. Plants cultured in 25-cm-diameter plastic pots filled with sand only as control (T1), sand + plant compost 10 % mixture (T2), T2 + EM (T3), sand + plant compost 20 % mixture (T4), T4 + EM (T5), sand + plant compost 30 % mixture (T6) and T6+ EM (T7). The obtained results showed that means of the different growth parameters ;expressed as: plant height, number of leaves / plant , leaf area , root length , as well as fresh and dry weights of stem, leaves and roots were ascending increased as the ratio of compost was increased in the soil especially with EM treatments compared to means of control in most cases of the two seasons, otherwise stem diameter trait, which progressively increased with the middle ratio of compost (20 %) and compost (20 %) + EM followed by the highest one (30 %) and (30%) + EM reached to the lowest values of compost (10 %) and (10 %) + EM over control in the first and second season. A similar trend was also obtained regarding the leaf content of chlorophyll a, b, carotenoids beside the percentages of N and total carbohydrates which were recorded the highest values with sand + compost (30%) subsequent sand + compost (20%) and sand + compost (10%) individually or with EM. Whereas, the leaf contents of P% and K% significantly increased in sand + compost (20%), (30 %) and then (10%) whether with EM or without. Hence, it can be recommended to drench EM (3 ml/l) in sand soil mixed with plant compost (30 %) in which J. curcas plants are grown to keep good growth and the best quality plant.

Combined use of biochar and microbial agent can promote lignocellulose degradation and humic acid formation during sewage sludge-reed straw composting

This study investigated the effects of corn straw biochar (CSB) and effective microorganisms (EM) added individually or combinedly on lignocellulose degradation, compost humification, and microbial communities during sewage sludge-reed straw composting process. All the additive practices were found to significantly elevate the humification degree of compost products. The degradation rates of cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin in different additive treatments were 20.8–31.2 %, 36.2–44.8 %, and 19.9–25.7 %, respectively, which were greatly higher than those of the control. Compared with the single uses of CSB or EM, the combined use of CSB and EM generated greater promotions in lignin and hemicellulose degradations and increase in humic acid content. By comparing the differences in microbial communities among different treatments, the CSB-EM demonstrated greater increases in activity and diversity of lignocellulose degradation-related microbes, especially for fungus. Lastly, the combined use of CSB and EM was highly recommended as a high-efficient improvement strategy for organic compost production.

Influence of Effective Microorganisms and Clinoptilolite on Gut Barrier Function, Intestinal Health and Performance of Broiler Chickens during Induced Eimeria tenella Infection

The prohibition of certain coccidiostats in poultry has created a need to seek an alternative to control Eimeria infection. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of effective microorganisms (EM) in a multi-strain probiotic (Bokashi®), with clinoptilolite as a feed supplement on the mRNA expression of tight junction proteins and redox enzymes in the caecal tissue of chickens infected with E. tenella. The integrity of the intestinal barrier was tested by determining the concentration of fluorescein isothiocyanate dextran (FITC-d) in the chicken’s serum. A total of 600 1-day-old Ross 308 male chickens received diets with a 0.5% or 0.8% concentration of the probiotic together with clinoptilolite. The experiment used 5 treatment groups, and a control group, each with 5 replicates with 20 birds. The results indicate that the use of the 8 kg/t of feed multi-strain probiotic together with clinoptilolite in the diet of poultry caused a significant reduction in the number of E. tenella oocysts in the faeces and caecum and significantly improved the growth rate of chicken broilers infected with E. tenella. In addition, the probiotic and clinoptilolite enhanced antioxidant processes in the caecal mucosa and reduced oxidative stress induced by E. tenella infection.

Effect of Inorganic and Organic Nitrogen Sources and Biofertilizer on Murcott Mandarin Fruit Quality.

Mandarin 'Murcott' (Citrus reticulata Blanco) trees aged five years that were grafted onto lemon 'Volkamer' (Citrus volkameriana) rootstock and grown in sandy soil under a drip irrigation system were used in this study during the growing seasons of 2018 and 2019. Ten different fertilization treatments combining inorganic, organic, and biofertilization in a completely randomized block were performed. The results revealed that fertilizing 'Murcott' mandarin trees with 75% of the recommended dose (RD) of nitrogen as inorganic nitrogen (33.5% N) in the form of NH4NO3 + 25% of RD as organic nitrogen in the form of chicken manure (3% N) per tree per year without or with a biofertilizer (Effective Microorganisms, EM1) at 150 mL/tree increased the weight, size, pulp, and peels of mandarin fruit, as well as the fruit juice volume, juice volume/fruit, and vitamin C, but reduced the total acidity in both seasons. However, fertilizing 'Murcott' mandarin trees with 100% of RD as inorganic nitrogen increased the pulp/fruit ratio, and fertilizing with 25% of RD as inorganic nitrogen + 75% of RD as organic nitrogen + biofertilizer EM1 increased the peel/fruit ratio, peel thickness, and fruit firmness. Fertilizing 'Murcott' mandarin trees with 100% organic nitrogen + biofertilizer EM1 increased total soluble solids (TSS) and total sugar contents while producing the lowest nitrate (NO3) percentage in 'Murcott' mandarin fruit compared with trees fertilized with inorganic nitrogen only. The fruit produced by 'Murcott' mandarin trees fertilized with 100% of RD as organic nitrogen with or without biofertilizer EM1 contained higher TSS, total carbohydrates, and sugars and lower nitrate percentages than those fertilized with inorganic nitrogen and biofertilizer EM1. This study contributes to reducing the use of inorganic fertilizers by adding a percentage of an organic fertilizer to obtain a healthy product that contains a lower percentage of NO3, which affects the health of the consumer, and is of high quality and suitable for export.

Experiencia de aplicación de microorganismos efectivos nativos (MEN) para el tratamiento de aguas residuales

Fecal contamination is one of the main freshwater quality problems worldwide. One of the proposed solutions for this problem is the treatment of the effluents at domestic orlocal level with microbial consortia such as effective microorganisms from native origin (MEN in Spanish). In this work we evaluated the ability of a MEN formulation produced in Uruguay to reduce fecal contamination in domestic effluents. To achieve this, experimentswere carried out at different scales, from in vitro to domestic septic tanks and in a section of the Malvín stream (in situ), combining liquid with solid MEN formulation and using fecal coliforms (FC) and particulate organic matter as performance indicators. Both at the laboratory level and in the septic tanks, CF decreased significantly after 8 weeks ofapplication. In the Malvín stream, a decrease in CF and a visual recovery of the water course were observed, with increased transparency and dissolved oxygen concentration. The results from this work suggest that MEN application to domestic wastewater represents a promising approach to reduce fecal contamination of freshwater andemphasize the need to change the manufacturing habits and management of septic tanks.