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

•     Industrial solid wastes / sludge
•     Council wastes / waste
•     Industrial effluent
•     Sewage sludge
•     Sewage water

Deodorisation

•     Industrial odour/tannery odour
•     Sewage odour
•     Live-stock shed odour
•     Poultry farm odour
•     Indoor odour

Agriculture

•     Reclamation of saline effected soils
•     Reuse of saline ground water as irrigation water
•     Organic farming

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 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:

• Saline and alkali soils can be reclaimed successfully. Reasonable yield can be obtained in the 1st year of reclamation. EM application improves the structure and microbial population.
• The EM Technology has been fully developed to eliminate foul odours of all types produced in various industries, council waste, organic waste, livestock farming, sewage and bathrooms, after carrying out research in respective areas.
• Scientists have converted leather tannery’s sludge and petroleum refinery’s sludge into bio-fertilizer. The hazardous heavy metals can be reduced with the treatment of EM products. These bio fertilisers can be applied in floriculture and gardening.
• Effluent of leather industry can be treated with EM products. Pollutants can be reduced to reasonable extent for the safe disposal of effluent.
• EM products can be applied in fisheries to increase fish weight and reduce mortality.
• EM Technology can be applied in poultry production to gain remarkable results. EM improves the bird’s health and egg and meat quality and also reduces mortality in bird

 Composting with Effective Micro-Organisms