Application of Effective Microorganisms in Crops and Soils.

EM•1^® Microbial Inoculant can be used to accelerate the soil building process and promote beneficial microbial communities. The soil building process revolves around soil aggregate formation. Soil aggregates form as mineral and decomposed organic matter particles are bound together by microbial secretions that act as glues. Stable and well-formed soil aggregate is the key to overall soil function. EM•1^® produces high levels of polysaccharides and other beneficial enzymes and organic acids that help build stable aggregate and soil structure. Increased aggregate stability prevents the pore spaces between the aggregates from collapsing during heavy, saturating rains and reduces compaction caused by machinery. Furthermore, improved soil aggregate stability reduces soil erosion and run-off. Soils are better able to absorb and retain moisture, as well as cycle nutrients.

Watermelon Crop Grown with Effective Microorganisms

Many nutrients are held in the top layers of soil due to the cation exchange capacity (CEC). The CEC increases as aggregate formation mature because the aggregate are providing the surface area for the nutrients to adsorb or stick to (not absorb). EM•1^® efficiently breaks down organic matter into stable humus, a key component to aggregate formation, by reducing oxidative forces that primarily rob the soil of Carbon and Nitrogen in the form of methane and ammonium gases, respectively. This is achieved from a reduction of available Hydrogen ions due to a favorable change of organic acid composition and concentration in the soil. The result is that a greater amount of organic matter is converted to humus, aiding in aggregate formation.

Nitrate is an anion (not involved in CEC), and is prone to leach into the sub-soil if not readily used, and becomes part of amino acid chains. Amino acids are not negatively charged and can be utilized as plant food over a long period of time. EM-1® helps to improve Nitrogen cycling at two points. First, when EM•1^® creates a reducing environment as raw organic nitrogen is decomposed eventually into nitrate ,reducing the amount of mineralization of Nitrogen and Carbon. Second, when forming amino acids that provide a slow release food source for plants.

Activated EM•1®

Materials

Tools to help the preparation process

Molasses
Clean Water
EM•1^®
A funnel
A measuring cup and spoon
pH paper to check pH.

Recipes

To Make 1 liter or quart:

Add water to fill 80% of the plastic bottle
Then add 50ml (1.7oz) of molasses and 50ml (1.7oz) of EM•1^® in the bottle
Shake the bottle to dissolve the molasses. Top off with water.
Cap the bottle tightly and keep in a warm place.

Making 5 gallons of Activated EM-1®:

Add water to fill 50% of the plastic container
Then add 28 oz. of molasses and 28 oz of EM•1^® in the bottle*
Shake the container to dissolve the molasses and top off the container with warm water.
Cap the container tightly and keep in a warm place

*Dissolve the molasses with warm or hot water before adding it to the container. This makes the preparation easier.

Making 55 gallons (208 liters) Activated EM•1^®

Add 30 gallons 100oF Water
Add 2.5 gallons molasses
Add EM•1^® Microbial Inoculant
Fill drum with 100oF Water
Seal drum and keep in warm place

Making a tote of (275 gallons) or 1,000 liters of Activated EM•1^®

Add water to fill half of the tank
Then add 12 gallons of molasses and 12 gallons of EM•1^® to the tank*
Top off the tank with more warm water to prevent excess airspace.
Cap the tank tightly and keep in a warm place

When is it ready?

When the pH of the solution drops to 3.7 or below and has rested at this pH for 5-7 days, the Activated EM•1^® is ready to use. You will have about 30-45 days to use it at this point.

* Dissolve the molasses with warm or hot water before adding it to the tank.
This makes the preparation easier.

**During the fermentation process pressure builds up in the containers as the microbes digest the sugars. To avoid rupturing the container, "burp" it and reseal. Burping may have to be done one or more times per day. You may also use airlocks or blow off tubes similar to what is done in brewing wine or beer. For an example of what an airlock looks like and costs, click here. Airlocks and other brewing equipment can be found online through many home brewing suppliers or at a local home brew supply.

EM Activation Slideshow

Making Activated EM•1^® step-by-step. Even a kid can do it.

Activated EM-1®

NOTE

EM•1^® likes warm conditions. A suitable temperature for fermentation (propagation) of EM•1^® is from 86F to 104F (30C to 40C). In the winter, and other times when the temperature is low, after making the Activated EM•1^®(dissolving the molasses in hot water), place the EM•1^® next to a radiator, space heater, or other warm device, or even wrap it in a blanket or an insulator, in order to promote EM•1^® fermentation.

STORAGE

Activated EM•1^® should be kept in an expandable (plastic) air-tight container to keep it anaerobic and used within 30 days after the pH drops below 4.0.

Store Activated EM•1^® at room temperature, 68F to 86F (20C-30C). Refrigeration is not necessary.

In containers that are not completely airtight, a white layer of yeast will form on the surface. Since this may lead to putrefaction, remove the layer as needed and transfer to a container that can be closed tightly. Be sure to leave as little airspace in the bottle as possible.

If Activated EM•1^® has a foul smell or the pH rises above 4.0, the solution could be contaminated with undesirable microbes and should be discarded. This material is fine to pour into a long-term compost pile.

Added Benefits

Added Benefits:
The benefits of EM•1^® Microbial Inoculant are not just limited to direct soil applications. The foundation of a healthy plant is healthy soil. Crop quality standards can be strict and EM•1^® foliar applications can be an important technique to improve crop quality and consistency. EM•1^® foliar treatments help build leaf, stem, fruit, and flower tissue. Airborne diseases spread from plant to plant by wind, rain, and insects. EM•1^® can significantly improve the plant's ability to fend off these disease vectors by reducing the space and moisture available to the pathogens on the plant surface. Improved crop sizing, consistency, post-harvest shelf life, color, flavor, and density are all benefits of foliar treatments. Results will vary depending on the crop. Spraying crops with EM•1^® Microbial Inoculant™ on a regular basis will improve overall crop quality during harvest and maintain quality during storage and pack-out.

The use of EM•1^® to improve soil structure, organic matter management, and nutrient cycling compliments efforts to reduce reliance on mechanical and material inputs. Establishing EM•1^® Microbial Inoculant™ in soil ultimately results in increased profitability and sustainability.

***Note to first time users: It is important to apply EM•1^® Microbial Inoculant consistently the first year to establish the cultures in soils. Once EM•1^® is thoroughly established it works with reduced dependency.***

Summary:

Maximize the conversion of organic matter into stable humus and the efficiency of C and N cycling in the soil.
Improve crop consistency and post harvest quality.
Resistance to soil compaction and erosion due to improved soil structure and aggregate stability.
Promote the native beneficial microbial populations that naturally occur in your soils.

Ingredients

ACTIVE INGREDIENTS:
Microorganisms: 1 million colony forming units/cc (units/ml), 1%: Lactobacillus plantarum, Lactobacillus casei, Lactobacillus fermentum, Lactobacillus delbrueckii, Bacillus subtilis, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Rhodopseudomonas palustris.

INACTIVE INGREDIENTS:
96% Water and 3% Molasses

OMRI Listing

MSDS

EM•1^® (Effective Microorganisms™) Microbial Inoculant: Agriculture

PREPARED: 09/01/06

PRODUCT NAME: EM•1^® Microbial Inoculant

PRODUCED BY:
EMRO USA, Inc. dba EMRO USA Effective Microorganisms
2440 N. Coyote Drive Suite 126
Tucson, AZ 85745
Phone: (520) 792-3143 Fax: (928) 563-1037>

SECTION I - PRODUCT IDENTIFICATION
GENERAL OR GENERIC NAME: Liquid Microbial Inoculant
HAZARD RATING:
HEALTH - 0 Normal Material
FIRE - 0 Will not burn
REACTIVITY - 0 Stable

SECTION II - HAZARDOUS INGREDIENTS
If present, carcinogens and chemicals subject to reporting are identified in this section:

INGREDIENTS %(By Volume) Note

No hazardous ingredients present; not hazardous to humans, animals or plants.

SECTION III - PHYSICAL DATA
BOILING POINT: >100 °C
SPECIFIC GRAVITY: 1.2 (25°c)
VAPOR PRESSURE: N/D
SOLUBILITY IN WATER: Complete
VAPOR DENSITY: Air = 1
MELTING POINT: N/A
% VOLATILE BY VOLUME: 0
EVAPORATION RATE: Equal to water
APPERANCE AND ODOR: Brown liquid; mild
pH OF SOLUTION: 3.5

SECTION IV - FIRE AND EXPLOSION INFORMATION
FLASH POINT: N/A
EXPLOSION LIMIT: 0
EXTINGUISHING: N/A
FIRE FIGHTING PROCEDURES: N/A
SPECIAL FIRE & EXPLOSION HAZARDS: None
HAZARDOUS DECOMPOSITION BYPRODUCTS: None

SECTION V - HEALTH HAZARD DATA
HEALTH HAZARDS: None
CARCINOGENICITY: Non-carcinogenic
EFFECTS OF CHRONIC OVEREXPOSURE: None
PERMISSIBLE EXPOSURE LEVEL: None; see Section II
PRIMARY ROUTES OF ENTRY: Skin contact, Eye contact, Ingestion, Inhalation
SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF EXPOSURE:
SKIN - None
EYES - May cause eye irritation
INHALATION - None
INGESTION - May cause gas

FIRST AID:
IF ON SKIN - None
IF ON EYES - Flush with fresh water
IF INHALED - None
IF INGESTED - Drink fresh water

SECTION VI - REACTIVITY DATA
INCOMPATIBILITY: None
HAZARDOUS POLYMERIZATION: Will not occur
HAZARDOUS DECOMPOSITION OR BYPRODUCTS: None; biodegradable
STABILITY: Stable, not effected by freezing. No toxic fumes.

SECTION VII - SPILL OR LEAK PROCEDURES
IN CASE OF LEAK OR SPILL: Mop up with fresh water, sewer disposal
WASTE DISPOSAL METHOD: Sewer disposal
HANDLING AND STORING PRECAUTIONS: Store at room temperature
OTHER PRECAUTIONS: Not recommended for human consumption

SECTION VIII - PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT TO BE USED
RESPIRATORY PROTECTION: None
VENTILATION: None
PROTECTIVE GLOVES: Optional
EYE PROTECTION: Safety glasses recommended
PROTECTIVE CLOTHING: None
WORK PRACTICES: Clean up spills immediately; floor will be slick