The Technology Of Effective Microorganisms Case Studies of Application U.R.Sangakkara Faculty of Agriculture, University of Peradeniya, Peradeniya 20400, Sri Lanka
ABSTRACT
The
technology of Effective Microorganisms (commonly termed EM Technology)
was developed in the 1970s at the University of the Ryukyus, Okinawa,
Japan. The inception of the technology was based on blending a
multitude of microbes, and was subsequently refined to include three
principal types of organisms commonly found in all ecosystems, namely
Lactic Acid Bacteria, Yeast Actinomyces and Photosynthetic bacteria.
These were blended in a molasses or sugar medium and maintained at a
low pH under ambient conditions.
The
technology was introduced to the world through an International
Conference held in Thailand in 1989, where a research program to test
its efficacy was undertaken by 13 countries in the Asia Pacific region.
Thereafter, this program encompassed many international fora, including
the International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movements (IFOAM).
The
original concept of using EM in crop production, primarily in organic
systems to overcome the inherent problems such as low productivity was
well proven in many environments. Thus the technology spread gradually
to all continents.
Today EM is used in many systems
pertaining to agriculture and environmental management. These range
from crop and animal production systems, to livestock and aquaculture
units. EM is used widely in environmental management for decomposition
and more importantly for recycling of wastes, both solids and liquids.
More recently research from Japan and projects in the USA have reported
the ability of EM based products to reduce dioxin contents.
The programs on EM undertaken in over 60 countries show its success.
The initial research undertaken in agriculture paved the way for case
studies and large-scale use of EM in a diverse range of environments.
These include laboratory scale identification of the microbes and their
role in the DPR Korea, to the use of the solution in crop production in
over 500,000 hectares in the same country. It is used in the USA,
Europe, Africa, Asia, Mid and South America and Oceania in a multitude
of ways. The reports from these projects highlight successes although
some do show marginal results. The important aspect has been its use by
practitioners, who adopt technologies due to proven successes and not
research reports. The presentation will cover the practical benefits of
using EM on the basis of research results and case studies where the
solution has been used extensively for either agriculture or
environmental management.
INTRODUCTION
The 21st
century has dawned, with renewed hope for a ,brbetter livelihood for
the populations of this earth. Hence the themes often discussed at
international fora on human welfare and agriculture range from
sustainability, food security and safety to the provision of a
productive and healthy environment to humankind and its future
generations. Hence there is often a great deal of optimism about the
possibilities of solving the multitude of problems in relation to the
provision of food and a clean healthy environment for all.
Although the picture being painted seems rosy with numerous
possibilities, the reality is not that simple. The future is not too
optimistic. The post war agricultural revolution has brought about
problems of pollution, which are increasing in magnitude, although the
agricultural development projects have increased yields in both
developed and developing countries. The problems also arise from over
production of agricultural commodities in the developed countries,
while inadequate production and unequal distribution of food and
resources in the developing countries is a common phenomenon. There is
excessive pollution caused by industrialized agriculture, loss of
biodiversity and increased incidence of pests and diseases. The use of
genetically modified organisms has raised concerns about food safety.
All these problems need solutions to maintain and possibly enhance the
quality of the environment and provision of food for humankind and also
all forms of life on earth (HRH The Prince of Wales, 1998).
ORGANIC OR NATURE FARMING
Organic or nature farming is considered a possible solution to many of
the problems caused by industrialized agriculture (Litterick et al,
2001). This is based on the fact that organic or nature farming is a
holistic concept, involving all components of the ecosystem. Hence
organic and nature farming are considered useful and sustainable
systems to produce safe and quality food, both in the developed and
developing world.
Organic farming in the developing world is
viewed as a system of alternative agriculture, which could enhance the
quality of degraded environments currently farmed intensively by
smallholders to produce food and fodder. In the recent past, organic
products have also become export commodities, which earn much-needed
foreign exchange to these countries. In all instances, organic farming
alone may not provide the required quantities of food, although it
certainly has the potential of improving the environment and more
importantly, the sustainability of the farming systems. A
primary problem of organic or nature farming is the low yields
procured, when compared to that of conventional chemical farming
systems. This is principally observed in the developing countries.
Hence the promotion and development of organic systems in these regions
must be coupled with technologies that would enhance yields while
preserving and possibly improving the sustainability of the systems and
also the environment.
MICROBES IN AGRICULTURE
Microbes are a vital component in all ecosystems. In agriculture, their
value cannot be overemphasized, due to their role in the soil and as an
interlink between the biotic and abiotic components and also between
the grazing and detritus food chains. However, their role has often
been neglected in conventional chemical farming systems. The
interaction between microbes and plants developed with the process of
evolution in plants, and hence the use of microbes singly or in
mixtures of free living and naturally occurring species could enhance
the productivity of most farming systems significantly (Zarb et al,
2001). Thus the most importance and often-used species of microbes in
agriculture are Fungi, Bacteria, Actinomyces and Yeast.
Although the use of microbes in the form of animal manure and slurries
has a long history in traditional agriculture, the use of Rhizobium and
Mycorrhizal inoculation added a new dimension to the technology of
microorganisms in agriculture. In the recent times, research has
clearly shown the benefits of using inoculations of naturally occurring
microbes in increasing productivity of both conventional and organic
farming systems (Tisdal, 1994, Zarb et al, 2001). However, the use of
microbial inoculation containing many species obtained from the
respective ecosystems to develop multiple benefits has not received
much attention.
THE TECHNOLOGY OF EFFECTIVE MICROORGANISMS
Fungi, Bacteria, Actinomyces and Yeast are found in all ecosystems.
They are used widely in the food industry, and these species play a
vital role in agriculture to maintain and also enhance productivity
(Zarb et al, 2001). The technology of Effective Microorganisms (EM)
also uses these species namely Lactic Acid Bacteria, Photosynthetic
Bacteria, Yeast and Actinomyces isolated from the respective
environments in which EM is used.
Professor Dr Teruo Higa
developed the technology of EM in the 1970s at the University of the
Ryukyus, Okinawa, Japan. The first solutions contained over 80 species
from 10 genera isolated from Okinawa and other environments in Japan.
With time, the technology was refined to include only the four
important species cited earlier, namely Lactic Acid Bacteria,
Photosynthetic Bacteria, Actinomyces and Yeast. These are isolated from
the respective locations where EM is used extensively and is blended
into a mixture in a sugar-based medium. The sugar commonly used is
molasses or raw sugar, and the solution is maintained a low pH ranging
between 3 .0 4.0 The mixture does not contain any organism imported
from Japan, nor does it contain any genetically modified organisms.
Hence, EM is made in over 40 countries in all continents, from species
isolated from the different localities. The technology is thus safe,
effective and environmentally friendly, and is accessible to farmers in
both developed and developing countries. On this basis, the technology
is used or researched upon in countries ranging from Austria to
Zimbabwe.
PRACTICAL USES OF EM
The practical uses of EM can broadly be classified into two principal components
- Agriculture
- Environmental Management
The
research programs and case studies on the benefits of EM in these two
principal components have been reported from all continents of the
world. However, a setback in the wide scale publicity of these very
useful studies has been the lack of publications in international
journals, due to the emphasis on one particular product. Most studies
have been reported at two fora, namely the International Conferences of
IFOAM (International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movements)
beginning 1987 and the International Conferences on Kyusei Nature
Farming beginning in 1989. However, the usefulness and potential values
of the technology is accepted internationally as shown by the
development of separate sessions on EM at the IFOAM conferences
beginning in New Zealand in 1994.
EM IN AGRICULTURE
The
original use of EM was for agriculture. Hence EM was first applied to
enhance productivity of organic or nature farming systems. EM was
applied directly onto organic matter added to cropping fields, or to
compost, which reduced the time required for the preparation of this
biofertilizer. EM is also added in the form of Bokashi (Compost) made
with waste material such as rice husk and saw dust as a carrier, mixed
with nitrogen rich material such as rice, corn or wheat bran, fish meal
or oil cakes.
The
studies on the success of EM in crop production are many. Research on
papaya in Brazil (Chagas et al, 2001), herbage grasses in Holland and
Austria (Bruggenwert, 2001, Hader, 2001), vegetables in New Zealand and
Sri Lanka (Daly and Stewart, 1999, Sangakkara and Higa, 2000) and
apples in Japan (Fujita, 2000) illustrates this phenomenon very
clearly. All these studies are examples of a multitude of projects and
they clearly highlight that the use of EM or EM based products such as
Bokashi increase yields of traditional organic systems over a period of
time.
The causal phenomenon of these results has been
attributed to many factors. These include greater release of nutrients
from organic matter when composted with EM (Sangakkara and Weerasekera,
2001) enhanced photosynthesis (Xu et al, 2001) and protein activity
(Konoplya and Higa, 2001). Studies also identify greater resistance to
water stress (Xu, 2000), greater mineralization of carbon (Daly and
Stewart, 1999) and increased soil properties (Hussein et al 2000) and
better penetration of roots (In Ho and Ji Hwan, 2001) with the use of
EM.
The impact of EM in promoting plant growth by
controlling or suppressing pests and diseases has also been reported
from many countries. Kremer et al (2001) reports the control of
Sclerotinia in turf grass with EM. Guest (1999) and Wang et al (2000)
highlight the control of Phytopthora with EM derivatives in China and
Australia Wood et al (1999) also states the control of pickleworm in
cucumber with EM. The control of black Sigatoka with EM is a success in
Costa Rica (Elango et al, 1999). These are just a handful of many
reports that present the success of EM in crop production. More
importantly, all these highlight the benefits of EM in a wide range of
environments. which is the key to its success and adaptability.
The use of EM in animal husbandry is also clearly identified in many
parts of the world. Studies in Asia where EM was first introduced and
is used extensively (e.g. Chantsawang and Watcharangkul, 1999) and in
Belarus (Konoplya and Higa 2000) report the successful use of EM in
poultry and swine units. EM is added to feed and sprayed for sanitation
in these units. Integrated animal units and poultry farms in South
Africa (Hanekon et al, 2001, Safalaoh and Smith, 2001) use EM to
increase productivity. Swine units and fish units in Austria also use
EM for procuring greater productivity (Hader, 2000).
The
causal phenomenon of these has also been identified in research
projects. These are greater physiological activity in animals and
better feed conversion efficiencies (Safalaoh and Smith, 2001, Konoplya
and Higa, 2000).
As cited earlier, the reports on EM in
increasing the productivity of animal units are numerous. The setback
in further progress is the lack of international publications of these
studies, although carried out in a systematic and scientific manner.
However the benefits are clearly identified as exemplified by the
adoption of the technology by farmers and producers despite warning by
skeptical scientists. This is the final judgement of the success of the
technology for agriculture.
EM IN ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
The management of the environment is a key and controversial issue in
modern agriculture. The disposal of farm wastes, the discharge of
polluted waters and the mitigation of dioxin developed through
incineration or disintegration of wastes are all problems faced by
humankind. Thus legislation is being introduced in many countries to
preserve the existing environment and possibly improve it.
The role of EM in environmental management is of significant
importance. This microbial solution, which was originally developed for
nature or organic farming systems, was further expanded to overcome
environmental issues, thereby facilitating the reuse of most wastes.
The first concept of using EM in environmental management was in the
process of composting. Crop residues and animal wastes were effectively
composted to produce biofertilizers. Research in Holland (e.g. van
Bruchem et al, 1999), and Shintani et al (2000) in Costa Rica highlight
the potential of making compost with animal or crop wastes, this
increasing yields of crops supplied with this material, over the
productivity of traditional organic systems.
The use of EM
in composting garbage developed in the mid 1990s and very successful
projects have been undertaken in Asia. A good example is that of Hanoi
Vietnam (Quang, 2000), under the purview of the Ministry of Science,
Technology an Environment of that country. The city garbage is
composted with EM and sold as fertilizers. A similar project is being
undertaken in Yangon, Myanmar. The city of Pusan in Korea uses EM in
over 500 apartments to compost kitchen wastes, which are recycled into
home gardens, in a project undertaken by the Red Cross. The city of
Christchurch in New Zealand is also undertaking a similar project,
which will be a field site at the International Conference on EM in
January 2002.
EM is also being used effectively in purifying
water for reuse. The best example of this is in Okinawa the home of EM.
The city library of Gushikawa uses EM very effectively in treating
sewage water, which is recycled for the garden and in toilets. The COD
and BOD of the water are reduced significantly when treated with EM
(Okuda and Higa, 1999) and this water is reused, thus saving costs and
energy.
A very recent project on using EM in water treatment
is in the Gold Coast of Australia, in the city of Mc Kay. The city
sewage system is treated with EM and oxygen and the quality of water
enhanced prior to discharge. A resort island uses EM for its water
treatment and this water is recycled into gardens with no smell. The
quality of water is well within the stringent environmental laws of
Australia, and this study will be presented in New Zealand next year.
Research in South Africa also highlight the potential of using EM for
treating pig manure prior to feeding fish (Hanekon et al, 2001).
Addition of EM to pig fed promoted growth of the animals. Application
of EM to manure reduced faecal bacterial counts and feeding this manure
to fish increase harvestable produce.
Although not recorded,
there are many projects using EM for waste management in many
countries. Amongst all the practitioners of EM, the best example is at
the Nature farm in Sara Buri, Thailand, where EM is used for cropping,
livestock, and waste management. Unfortunately these results have not
been recorded as it is a practical farm used extensively for training
people from Thailand and overseas on EM technology, at no cost to the
trainees.
The most recent studies with EM on environmental
management produced very interesting results. If repeatable, these
would have a significant impact on the enhancement of environmental
quality. The first is a study from Belarus, which illustrate the
ability of EM to reduce radioactive contamination in affected soils
(Konoplya, 1999). Application of EM increased uptake of Cs137 from
contaminated soils of Chernobyl. The destruction of these crops would
reduce the level of contamination in the soils. In addition, the use of
EMx, a derivative of EM, which has antioxidant properties, was seen to
act as a radioprotective agent.
The second and third studies
relate to the reduction of dioxin production. A pilot study in the USA
(Kozawa 2000) showed that the use of EM could reduce dioxin production.
More importantly, a study by Miyajima et al (2001) in Okinawa, report
that using EM in a commercial incinerator reduced the production of
dioxin. These suggest valuable lines for research ad acceptance for the
future.
CONCLUSIONS
The potential of EM in
agriculture and environmental management is significant. The technology
can be used easily and economically to enhance productivity of
agricultural systems, especially organic systems and in mitigating
environmental pollution.
While successful projects are being
implements in many countries even at national scale as in Myanmar, D P
R Korea, Vietnam and Thailand, and by non governmental organizations as
in Sri Lanka, India and Indonesia or on a more localized scale by
private organizations such as New Zealand nature farming Societies,
Agriton of Holland, EMROSA of Africa, a setback has been the lack of
proper exposure and recording of results. The users see the benefits of
EM and there is a very growing demand for EM. This calls for the
maintenance of good records of its success and effects, although the
users often state "We know its benefits Why record it?"
In this story of success, one also needs to be cautious in using EM. It
is not a means or answer to all problems, although it has a significant
role to play in agriculture and environmental management. As in all
techniques, EM must also be used diligently and with care, as per
guidelines. Failure to do so would produce negative results as in some
instances, which have also been given publicity. However, adoption of
the technology of EM will ensure the achievement of the objective
Where all humans of this world strive for Greater production of
agricultural systems on a sustainable basis and a cleaner environment
for humankind and its future generations.
REFERENCES
BRUGGENWERT, M. G. M. 2001. EM research in the Netherlands. In Proceedings of the 6th International Conference on Kyusei Nature Farming, South Africa, 1999 Senanayake, Y D A and Sangakkara U R (Ed) (In Press)
CHAGAS, P R R, TOKESHI, H and ALVES, M. C. 2001 Effect of calcium on
yield of papaya fruits on conventional and organic (Bokashi EM)
systems. In Proceedings of the 6th International Conference on Kyusei Nature Farming, South Africa, 1999 Senanayake, Y D A and Sangakkara U R (Ed) (In Press)
CHANTSAWANG, S and WATCHARANGUL, P. 1999. Influence of EM on quality of poultry production. In Proceedings of the 5th
International Conference on Kyusei Nature Farming, Thailand, 1998
Senanayake, Y D A and Sangakkara U R (Ed) APNAN, Thailand: 133 150
DALY, M J and STEWART, D. P. C. 1999. Influence of Effective
Microorganisms (EM) on vegetable production and carbon mineralization
A preliminary investigation. Journal of Sustainable Agriculture 14: 15
25
ELANGO, F, TABORA, P and VEGA, J M. 1999. Control of
black sigatoka disease using Effective Microorganisms In Proceedings of
the 5th
International Conference on Kyusei Nature Farming, Thailand, 1998
Senanayake, Y D A and Sangakkara U R (Ed) APNAN, Thailand: 226 232
FUJITA, M. 2000. Nature farming practices for apple production in
Japan. In Nature farming and microbial applications. H L Xu et al (Ed)
Journal of Crop Production 3: 119 126
GUEST, D. 1999. Bokashi (EM) as a biocontrol agent to suppress the growth of Phytopthora cinnamomi. In Proceedings of the 5th
International Conference on Kyusei Nature Farming, Thailand, 1998
Senanayake, Y D A and Sangakkara U R (Ed) APNAN, Thailand: 216 218
H R H THE PRINCE OF WALES 1998. Seeds of disaster. The Ecologist 28 (5): 252 - 253
HADER, U. 2001. Influence of EM on the quality of grass/hay for milk production. In Proceedings of the 6th International Conference on Kyusei Nature Farming, South Africa, 1999 Senanayake, Y D A and Sangakkara U R (Ed) (In Press)
HANEKON D, PRINSLOO, J F and SCHOONBEE, H. J. 2001. A comparison of the
effect of anolyte and EM on the faecal bacterial loads in the water and
on fish produced in pig cum fish integrated production units. In
Proceedings of the 6th International Conference on Kyusei Nature Farming, South Africa, 1999 Senanayake, Y D A and Sangakkara U R (Ed) (In Press)\
HO IN HO and JI HWAN, K. 2000. The study on the plant growth hormones
in EM A Case study. Paper presented at the International Conference
on EM Technology and Nature Farming, October 2000, Pyongyang, DPR
Korea.
HUSSEIN, T, JILANI, G M, ANJUM, S and ZIA, M H. 2000. Effect of EM application on soil properties. In Proceedings of the 13th International Scientific Conference of IFOAM. Alfoeldi, T et al (Ed). FiBL, Basel, Switzerland: 267
KONOPLYA, E. F. 1999. Prospects of using Effective microorganisms (EM
and EMX) in the liquidation of nuclear accident consequences. In
Proceedings of the 5th
International Conference on Kyusei Nature Farming, Thailand, 1998
Senanayake, Y D A and Sangakkara U R (Ed) APNAN, Thailand: 372 378
KONOPLYA, E F and HIGA, T. 2000. EM application in animal husbandry
Poultry farming and its action mechanisms. Paper presented at the
International Conference on EM Technology and Nature Farming, October
2000, Pyongyang, DPR Korea.
KONOPLYA, E F and HIGA, T. 2001.
Mechanisms of EM 1. Effect on the growth and development of plants and
its application in agricultural production. In Proceedings of the 6th International Conference on Kyusei Nature Farming, South Africa, 1999 Senanayake, Y D A and Sangakkara U R (Ed) (In Press)
KOZAWA, G. 2000. Dioxin bioremediation. Paper presented at the
International Conference on EM Technology and Nature Farming, October
2000, Pyongyang, DPR Korea.
KREMER, R J, ERVIN, E H, WOOD, M T and ABUCHAR, D. 2001. Control of Sclerotinia homoeocarpa in turf grass using Effective Microorganisms. In Proceedings of the 6th International Conference on Kyusei Nature Farming, South Africa, 1999 Senanayake, Y D A and Sangakkara U R (Ed) (In Press)
LITTERICK, A, BRENMAN, S and LEIFERT, C. 2001. Organic farming Its role in the new century. In Proceedings of the 6th International Conference on Kyusei Nature Farming, South Africa, 1999 Senanayake, Y D A and Sangakkara U R (Ed) (In Press)
MIYAJIMA, M, NAGANO, N and HIGA, T. 2001. Suppression of Dioxin
generation in the garbage incinerator using EM (Effective
Microorganisms), EMX and EM Z ceramic powder. In Proceedings of the 6th International Conference on Kyusei Nature Farming, South Africa, 1999 Senanayake, Y D A and Sangakkara U R (Ed) (In Press)
OKUDA, A and HIGA, T. 1999. Purification of wastewater with Effective
Microorganisms and is utilization in agriculture. In Proceedings of the
5th
International Conference on Kyusei Nature Farming, Thailand, 1998
Senanayake, Y D A and Sangakkara U R (Ed) APNAN, Thailand: 246 253
QUANG, L K. 2000. EM Technology in Vietnam and some results on
environmental treatment. Paper presented at the International
Conference on EM Technology and Nature Farming, October 2000,
Pyongyang, DPR Korea.
SAFALAOH, A. C. L and SMITH, G A 2001.
Effective Microorganisms (EM) as an alternative to antibiotics in
broiler diets: Effects on broiler performance, feed utilization and
serum cholesterol. In Proceedings of the 6th International Conference on Kyusei Nature Farming, South Africa, 1999 Senanayake, Y D A and Sangakkara U R (Ed) (In Press)
SANGAKKARA, U. R. and HIGA, T. 2000. Kyusei Nature Farming and EM for
enhanced smallholder production in organic systems. In Proceedings of
the 13th International Scientific Conference of IFOAM. Alfoeldi, T et al (Ed). FiBL, Basel, Switzerland: 268
SANGAKKARA, U R and WEERASEKERA, P. 2001. Impact of EM on nitrogen
utilization efficiency in food crops. In Proceedings of the 6th International Conference on Kyusei Nature Farming, South Africa, 1999 Senanayake, Y D A and Sangakkara U R (Ed) (In Press)
SHINTANI, M. 2000. Organic fertilizer Managing banana residues with Effective Microorganisms. In Proceedings of the 13th International Scientific Conference of IFOAM. Alfoeldi, T et al (Ed). FiBL, Basel, Switzerland: 269
Tisdal, J. M. 1994. Possible role of soil microorganisms in aggregation
in soils. In Management of Mycorrhizae in agriculture. Robinson, A D et
al (Ed). Kluwer Press, Holland: 45 121
VAN BRUCHEM, J,
LANTINGA, E. L, OVERVEST, J. and JOVINK, J. P. M. 1999. Environmental
tuning of agriculture in the Netherlands. In Proceedings of the 5th
International Conference on Kyusei Nature Farming, Thailand, 1998
Senanayake, Y D A and Sangakkara U R (Ed) APNAN, Thailand: 233 245
WANG, R, XU, H L and MRIDHA, M. A. U. 2000. Phytopthora resistance of
organic fertilized tomato. In Nature farming and microbial
applications. H L Xu et al (Ed) Journal of Crop Production 3: 77 84
WOOD, M T, MILES, R and TABORA, P. 1999. Plant extracts and EM5 for controlling pickleworm Diapharina nitidalis. In Proceedings of the 5th
International Conference on Kyusei Nature Farming, Thailand, 1998
Senanayake, Y D A and Sangakkara U R (Ed) APNAN, Thailand: 207 215
XU, H L. 2000. Effect of microbial inoculation, organic fertilization
and chemical fertilization on water stress resistance of sweet corn. In
Nature farming and microbial applications. H L Xu t al (Ed) Journal of
Crop Production 3: 223 234
XU, H L, WANG, R, MRIDHA, M. A.
U., KATO S., KATASE, K and UMEMURA, H. 2001. Effect of organic
fertilization and EM inoculation on leaf photosynthesis and fruit yield
and quality of tomato plants. In Proceedings of the 6th International Conference on Kyusei Nature Farming, South Africa, 1999 Senanayake, Y D A and Sangakkara U R (Ed) (In Press)
ZARB, J, LEIFERT, C and LITTERICK, A. 2001. Opportunities and
challenges for the use of microbial inoculants in agriculture. In
Proceedings of the 6th International Conference on Kyusei Nature Farming, South Africa, 1999 Senanayake, Y D A and Sangakkara U R (Ed) (In Press)
|
