Effective Microorganisms in Turf and Golf Courses

Managing Turf with Effective Microorganisms

EM-1^® Microbial Inoculant has quickly become an essential tool in sustainable and organic management of healthy turf. EM-1^® has been utilized by the Integrated Pest Management (IPM) division of the Park and Recreation Department of the City of San Francisco since 2003 to improve turf quality without the use of dangerous fungicides and pesticides. EM-1^® is a necessary technology for the golf course industry to help meet new city and state government mandates that require up to an 80% reduction of most fungicides and pesticides. The public is now demanding turf management that does not compromise the environment or our health. EM-1^® represents a viable solution, and is a safe and effective alternative for residential lawns, city parks, schools, and golf courses.

EM-1^® supplies a beneficial micro-ecology that improves soil structure, drainage, and water retention of the soil's rhizosphere (root zone). EM-1^® will significantly improve turf quality during the months of extreme heat and moisture when disease pressure is greatest.

Applications

Amount of Turf Stress	Application frequency	Application Rate (EM-1^®:Water)	Hose-end sprayer setting
Low	Once a month	1:100	1-1.5oz./gallon
High	Once a week	1:50	2-3oz./gallon

Tips

Tips for a success with EM-1^®

Apply the EM-1^® with a hose-end sprayer, backpack sprayer, or inject EM-1^® into the irrigation system. EM-1^® can be applied once a week during periods of extreme drought or rain and once a month for maintaining optimal turf quality and health.
Use organic fertilizers with EM-1^®. During cool weather apply EM-1^® with liquid kelp. In the fall or spring Effective Microorganisms™ can be applied with a liquid fish emulsion.
Use a "mulching mower" to chop and redeposit the grass clipping. Spray EM-1^® onto the turf after mowing. This enables the clippings to rapidly breakdown into stable organic matter for the soil. Organic matter particles provides a home for EM-1® to establish in the soil.

For further information regarding specific turf problems or EM-1^®/ fertilizer turf programs consult EM America's technical services.

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