No full-text available
To read the full-text of this research,
you can request a copy directly from the authors.
Effect of Effective Microorganism Application on Crop Growth, Yield, and Nutrition in Vigna radiata (L.) Wilczek in Different Soil Amendment Systems
Abstract
A pot experiment was conducted in heat-sterilized soil to evaluate the effect of effective
microorganism (EM) application on growth, yield, and nutrient uptake in Vigna radiata
(L.) Wilczek var. NIAB Mung 98 in different soil amendment systems. Pot soil was
amended with farmyard manure (FYM), Trifolium alexanrinum L. crop residues (TCR),
and half (1/2NPK) and recommended dose (NPK) of chemical fertilizers. The EM application
significantly enhanced shoot and root biomass in TCR-amended soil. However,
grain yield was significantly enhanced in FYM, TCR, and NPK amendments by 24%,
15%, and 84%, respectively, as a result of EM application. Effect of EM application on
nutrient uptake was variable with respect to soil amendment and plant growth stage. In
general, EM application enhanced plant nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium
(K) nutrition in organic amendments while its effect was either negative or insignificant
in chemical fertilizer amendments. Effects of EM application on plant nutrient uptake
were more pronounced at maturity than at flowering stage.
... Application of effective microorganism could promote crop growth and increase crop yield, and accelerate decomposition of organic materials in the soil. There had some reports about effect of EM application on crop growth, such as peanut, cotton, banana, chard, pea, soybean, rice, vigna, mung-bean, wheat (Javaid and Bajwa, 2011a;2011b). However, there were a few investigations on the effect of long-term repeated application of EM on soil C, N sequestration and crop growth. ...
... Maize grains per spike and thousand grains weight were significantly increased due to EM application in the present study. Similarly, hundred grains weight of vigna were significantly increased due to EM application in farmyard manure and crop residues amended soils (Javaid and Bajwa, 2011a). ...
... Grain yields of rice were enhanced by 46% due to EM application in the green manure amended soils. The vigna grain yields increased by 24%, 15%, and 84% when application of EM in combination with farmyard manure, crop residues or NPK fertilizer compared with corresponding treatments without EM application, respectively (Javaid and Bajwa, 2011a). The higher crop yields in EM in combination with organic materials amended soils could be attributed largely to the activity of the introduced exotic beneficial microorganism, which stimulated the decomposition of organic materials and the release of nutrients for plant uptake (Javaid and Bajwa, 2011b). ...
Long-term excessive application of inorganic fertilizers not only wastes resources but also contaminates the environment. The use of natural substitutes could overcome these drawbacks. We hypothesize that organic fertilizers could increase soil C, N sequestration and improve soil fertility more effectively than inorganic fertilizers, and that in particular effective microorganism (EM) could improve the effects of traditional compost. So, a long-term field experiment regarding improvement of soil fertility, protecting soil environment, and increasing of maize and wheat yield was conducted at China Agricultural University’s Qu-Zhou experiment station since 1993. Field experiment included EM compost treatment, traditional compost treatment, chemical fertilizer treatment, and unfertilized treatment. Soil organic C (SOC), total N, nutrient concentrations, pH, bulk density, and crop yields were determined. The results revealed that long-term repeated application of EM compost promoted soil C and N sequestration, increased soil nutrient contents, decreased soil pH and bulk density, enhanced crop yields in contrast to chemical fertilizer and control treatment. Soil organic C stocks (0-20 cm) were increased by 87.32%, 81.51%, 33.05%, 25.20% and soil total N stocks were increased by 93.26%, 77.53%, 37.64%, 34.83% in contrast to initial values in EM compost, traditional compost, chemical fertilizer and control treatments, respectively. Moreover, maize grain yields in EM compost, traditional compost, and chemical fertilizer treatments were significantly increased by 163.49%, 128.34%, 62.36% compared with control treatment, respectively. The effect of increased soil C and N sequestration, improving soil fertility and enhanced crop yields in application of compost appending EM was better than alone application of compost.
... Other study had reported that long-term soil amendments with compost EM accelerated wheat growth compared to those without EM mentioned that wheat and maize straw yields productivity were significantly increased in farmyard EM manure plot than in untreated plot. Similar observation was reported in the study with soybean shoot biomass [3] ...
... In general, EM application enhanced plant nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K) nutrition in organic amendments while its effect was either negative or insignificant in chemical fertilizer amendments. Effects of EM application on plant nutrient uptake were more pronounced at maturity than at flowering stage [3]. ...
The influence of effective microorganisms (EM), microbial inoculant containing yeasts, fungi, bacteria and actinomycetes was evaluated in field trials of Aerob 1 paddy cultivation in Jasin, Melaka. Aerobic paddy is a new way of rice cultivation in areas where water resources have been scare and affected by the climate change. As water shortage and climate change is becoming severe, the technology of growing rice with aerobic rice systems need to be further refined or developed to ensure the quality of rice production in water-short areas. The objective of this study was to determine the effect of additional EM on the growth pattern, and to evaluate the efficiency of EM uptake on the aerobic plant. This experiment was carried out by using random controlled Randomized Controlled Block Design (RCBD) consisted of three treatments with two replications in four blocks. Aerobic seed cv. Aeron1 was used as planting materials and has been applied by three different treatments of EM during vegetative growth. The treatment for this study was T1 = 1.8 g NPK with urea (control) while T2 was 1.8 g NPK and T3, with 0.9 g NP with 100 mL of EM respectively during 15 (early vegetative stage) and 45 DAS (late vegetative stage). The RCBD experimental design was used with two replications in each treatment in four blocks. There are three series of harvesting (35, 50 and 60 DAS) was conducted throughout this study. The growth parameter studied was shoot and root dry biomass, number of tillers, RGR at each of harvesting. Our finding revealed that the application of EM did not improve plant growth parameter but the growth pattern of T2 and T3 showed steady improvement, although not significant compared to T1. The application of EM at different growth stages did not enhance the relative plant growth rate of Aeron 1 under aerobic condition, but in comparison to T1 and T2, T3 treatment with 50% reduction of NPK and EM could significantly reduce the cost of land management and fertilizer.
... The mean number of productive tillers per hill was maximum (10.1) in plots applied with EFYM @ 750 kg ha -1 as basal along with foliar spray of EM @ 5% on 30 and 45 DAT (T 10 ). This might be due to enhanced NPK nutrition by EM along with farmyard manure as reported by Javaid and Bajwa (2011) in mung bean. Whereas results are in contrast with findings of Iwaishi (2001) who reported that the application of EM along with organic manures has caused longer tillers rather than more number of tillers per plant. ...
Field experiments were conducted at TNAU, Coimbatore during 2019 and2020 for developing organic nutrient package for finger millet (Ragi) usingthe variety CO (Ra) 15. Treatments included twelve combinations of weedcompost, enriched vermicompost, enriched farmyard manure (EFYM) as soilapplication along with panchagavya, effective microbes (EM), vermiwash, eggamino acid as foliar spray. The experiment was laid out in RBD with threereplications. The results showed that application of enriched vermicompost@ 1t ha-1 applied in two equal splits on 25 and 40 DAT along with foliarapplication of egg amino acid @ 5% on 30 and 45 DAT was found to be thebest nutrient management package for organic finger millet based on thegrain yield (2746 kg ha-1). However the maximum net return (Rs. 31,477)and BCR of 1.94 was recorded under basal application of EFYM @ 750 kgha-1 along with foliar spraying of EM @ 5% on 30 and 45 DAT thus proving asan economically viable nutrient package for organic finger millet production.
... The vermicompost application (@ 6 t ha -1 ) had 0.75, 2.17 and 5.91 t ha -1 higher yield over poultry manure (@ 8 t ha -1 ), FYM (@ 20 t ha -1 ) and control, respectively. Vermicompost is rich in plant macro and micronutrients and beneficial soil microbes and plant growth promoting compounds like growth hormones therefore its application in agriculture enhance plant growth and yield [9,10]. Beside these, vermicompost also improves soil physical (soil bulk density, water holding capacity) and soil chemical properties (pH, and electrical conductivity) than conventional compost [11]. Ahirwar and Hussain [12] and Rahman and Hasan [13] also reported that the addition of vermi-compost improved yield of vegetable crops. ...
Field experiment was conducted during the kharif seasons of 2017 at Sri Karan Narendra Agriculture University, Jobner (Jaipur) to assess the effect of biofertilizers and organic manures on production efficiency, water productivity and monetary efficiency of okra. The study had four organic manures and four biofertilizer treatments that were replicated thrice in factorial randomized block design. Vermicompost application @ 6 t ha-1 resulted into the maximum production efficiency (201 kg ha-1day-1) and water productivity (54 kg ha-1mm-1) whereas poultry manure (@ 8 t ha-1) reported greatest monetary efficiency (Rs. 3013 ha-1day-1). Among the biofertilizers, dual seed treatment with both Azosprillum + PSB recorded 39%, 40% and 55% higher production efficiency, water productivity and monetary efficiency than control. Fourth picking yielded the greatest tonnes of fruit and yield declines after it. Application of organic manures and biofertilizer enhanced okra yield up to 5.9 and 3.8 t ha-1, respectively. Therefore, poultry manure and double inoculation with biofertilizer is advisable for okra production under poorly fertile soils.
... A combination of the two has been seen to improve plant growth (Atieno et al., 2020;Sun et al., 2020;Zhang et al., 2020) by supplying nutrients to the plant and boosting their efficiency to extract the specific types of nutrients needed for growth (Umesha et al., 2018). Multiple ways in which the biofertilizers improve the biomass gain and stamina of plants have been explained earlier (Javaid, 2011;Javaid and Bajwa, 2011;Malusa and Vassilev, 2014;Cerozi and Fitzsimmons, 2016;Menendez and Garcia-Fraile, 2017;Nikitin et al., 2018). ...
This study was designed to determine the effect of commercial biofertilizers, namely chitosan, Bacillus spp. and Effective Microorganism formulation on the production efficiency of Genetically Improved Farmed Tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) and green bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) in an aquaponic system. The intended purpose was to examine if the production of the two integrated species can be optimized by cost-effective methods consistent with the concept of circular economy. While the biofertilizers performed water quality remediation as seen from the dynamics of turnover of ammonia (NH3), nitrite (NH2), nitrate (NO3) and phosphate (PO4) but produced no significant impact on growth of the fish, and the green bean could not attain the fruiting stage. Green beans that generally produce white-purplish flowers which transform into pods dropped off after one week on the plant. The water quality parameters: dissolved oxygen (5.54 to 6.12 mg/L), pH (6.9 to 7.0) and water temperature 26.7 to 27.8oC were in the suitable range but evidently the green bean faced deficiency of nutrients that are needed for fruiting. The nutritional management requires further investigations since the green bean pods are a rich source of human food, and maximum benefits from aquaponics can be derived through their production and faster growth of the fish. The trend of fish growth suggests that the biofertilizers will result in significant growth advantage if the treatment is carried out over a longer faming period.
... A simmilar increase in the yield of Hibiscus sabdariffa L. were previously reported by the application of the bio-fertilizers in combination wih chemical fertilizers (Youssef et al., 2014). Similiarly, the addition and amendments of bio-fertilzer and effective microorganism increased the yield of Vigna radiata (L.) by 84% (Javaid and Bajwa, 2011). In some other studies, it was found that the application of PSB increases the growth and yield of okra (Anandan, 2000;Prabhu et al., 2003). ...
Okra is a summer season vegetable crop, grown for its tender pods. For the environment friendly and sustainable cultivation of okra, the replacement of chemical fertilizers with the appropriate amount of bio-fertlizers may prove useful. In order to investigate the effect of various combination of chemical and bio-fertilizers on the growth and yield of okra, a field experiment was conducted at the experimental farm of Faculty of Agricultural Sciences, DAV University, Jalandhar during the summer season of 2019. The field experiment was laid out in randomized block design with three replications and ten treatments, comprising of chemical and bio-fertilizers viz. T 1 control, T 2 [Recommended dose of fertilizers (RDF) of Azosprillium spp. + 50% N + 100% P and K], T 3 (50% Azosprillium spp. + 75% N + 100% P and K), T 4 (Azotobacter spp. + 50% N + 100% P and K), T 5 (50% Azotobacter spp. + 75% N + 100% P and K), T 6 [50% Phosphorous solubilizing bacteria (PSB) + 50% P + 100% N and K], T 7 (PSB + 75% P + 100% N and K), T 8 (50% PSB + 50% Azotobacter + 50% P + 100% N and K), T 9 (50% PSB + 50% Azosprillium spp. + 100% N, P and K), T 10 (50% Azosprillium spp. + 50% PSB + 50% N, P and K). Different growth and yield related attributes were measured and the statistical analysis was made using analysis of variance. The result of the experiment indicated that the treatment T 8 (50% PSB + 50% Azotobacter spp. + 50% P + 100% N and K) was found significant concerning the minimum days to 50% germination, maximum plant height, number of leaves, number of branches per plant, number of fruit per plant, average fruit weight, fruit length, fruit diameter, fruit yield per plant, fruit yield per plot and fruit yield per hectare.The present study will help the farmers to utilize the best combination of biofertilizers for increasing the yield of okra in their fields.
... Effective microorganisms (EM) is a kind of compound microbial preparation, consists of more than 80 microorganisms species belonging to 10 genera, such as lactobacillus, photosynthetic bacteria, actinomycetes, and yeast. It has been widely used in agriculture, animal husbandry, environmental protection in many countries (Arshad and Rukhsana, 2011). It plays positive roles in promoting soil deterioration, continuous cropping obstacles and crop ability of resisting disease as well as accelerates the growth and disease resistance ability of livestock. ...
Nowadays, effective microorganisms (EM) is wildly employed in water improvement and agricultural utilization. Many experiments in aquaculture have proved that EM takes positive effects on fish. Naturally, the present experiment evaluated the influence of supplemental EM in feed on tilapia, which contains the growth, immunity, and appetite regulating of juvenile GIFT tilapia. Three different EM-concentration diets (0 g/kg; 30 g/kg; 60 g/kg) were fed to tilapia for 90 days. The results showed that Low and High concentration could promote fish grow. However, most of the serum indicators suggested the little improvement of the immunity in tilapia. The neuropeptide Y (npy) and agouti-related protein (agrp) in brain or cholecystokin (cck) and Ghrelin in hepatopancreas mRNA expression were significantly improved by EM diets. According to the study, fish growth indicated the results of gene expression, thus adding EM to diets suggested positive effects on tilapia culture. The study provided information to aquaculture production.
... Some researchers found that EM application in FYM, TCR, and NPK amendments increased the yield of 24%, 15%, and 84% respectively in Vigna radiata (L.) (Javaid and Bajwa, 2011). Other researcher also obtained similar result of cabbage while assessing the effectivess of effective micororganisms (Chantal, et al., 2010). ...
An experiment was conducted at Biratnagar, Nepal in completely randomized block design to study the effect of effective microorganisms (EM) and indeginous microorganisms (IMO) along with recommended dose of fertilizers (RDF) on the growth and yield parameters of okra (variety: Arka Anamika). The 6 treatments viz. control, EM enriched manure, IMO enriched manure, RDF, RDF+EM, RDF+IMO and control were replicated thrice. The study showed that indeginous microorganisms when incorporated with recommended dose of NPK fertilizer (RDF+IMO) can produce best result in terms of yield and economic return. Rigorous study in multi location and more crops is suggested to develop an integrated nutrient management plan and household waste management. KEYWORDS completely randomized block design, microorganisms, RDF+IMO, waste management.
... The order of the mean fresh weight was also Set 4 > Set 2 > Set 3 > Set 1. In other studies, the data showed that plant growth and yield were better in heat-sterilized than in nonsterilized soil [30], or with EM application than without EM application [31,32]. As expected, the plant's growth is affected by clubroot. ...
Clubroot disease, caused by Plasmodiophora brassicae, is a serious soil-borne disease of crucifer worldwide, and it can significantly reduce yield and quality. Although some agrochemicals have been used to manage clubroot and can provide effective control, increasing use of chemical inputs causes several negative effects. In this study, using Chinese cabbage (Brassica rapa L. subsp. chinensis) as the test crop, we developed an effective nonchemical method that would protect the roots against P. brassicae infection by using a combination heat treatment and a cocktail of biocontrol agents. The data showed that this method could cause 91.7% inhibition of P. brassicae infection. The average height of plants (13.5 cm) using this method was about twice higher than that in control group (6.7 cm), and the average plant weight (3.19 g) was about three times increased compared to that in control set (1.23 g).
Capítulo 5 do Livro Pesquisa em Agroecologia: conquistas e perspectivas
Imidacloprid is known to induce soil pollution. Herein, we improved phytoremediation of soil contaminated with imidacoprid using Plantago major plus effective microorganisms (EM1) and peat-moss under laboratory conditions for 14-days and using P. major inoculated with EM1 in tomato field for 10-days. Concentration of imidacloprid in soil, roots and leaves was determined. Concentrations of Chlorophyll in leaves were also determined. Our results showed that lower imidacloprid degradation rate was observed in amended soil with peat–moss, while higher imidacloprid degradation rate was observed in soils vegetated with P. major, P. major inoculated by EM1, and P. major amended with peat–moss, respectively. However, degradation rate was high in the case of interaction between soil planted with P. major plus both of EM1 and peat-moss. Concentration of imidacloprid in P. major roots amended with EM1, peat–moss and both was significantly lower than that of P. major roots alone within 1–14 days of treatment. EM1 plus P. major and peat- moss plus P. major had increase of Chlorophyl content in leaves. Cultivation of P. major next to tomatoes crop and inoculated with EM-1 was found to be the most effective process for removing imidacloprid from the soil.
This research was performed to investigate effect of growth facilitators on growth and functional characteristics of Onobrychis sativa Lam. in a factorial structure with a completely randomized design in greenhouse. Growth facilitators included potassium Nano‐silicate (0, 500 and 1000 mg/l), hydrogel of Boloorab (0, 10 and 30 g/kg), EM (0, 1 and 2%) and animal manure (0, 100 and 200 g/kg). At the end of growth, to investigate effect of growth facilitators on growth of O. sativa were measured fresh and dry weight of aerial organs and root, root length, plant height, volume root, aerial organs volume, establishment percentage, leaf area, photosynthesis rate, chlorophyll index, leaf relative water content, electrolyte leakage and curtain stability index. The results showed that the highest amount of dry weight (27.89 g/pot), root length (28.78 cm), plant height (70.70 cm), root volume (7.10 cm3), aerial organ volume (23.50 cm3), establishment percentage (70.80%), leaf area (4359.92 cm2/pot), photosynthesis rate (14.19 μmol/m2 s) and chlorophyll index (7.9) was observed in the treatment of animal manure 200 mg/kg. Other treatments also had desirable effects on growth and functional characteristics of O. sativa. Therefore, these treatments can be used in rangelands improvement and reclamation projects, and the conversion of abandoned dry farming lands and low-yield dry farming lands to pasturelands for the forage production.
Biofilm carriers and effective microorganisms (EMs) are both important to improve the decontamination performance of biofilms for wastewater. The decontamination performance of biofilms using polyester (PET), polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), carbon fibers (CFs) and electrochemically-treated CFs as biofilm carriers for EMs were investigated by comparing the concentrations of the chemical oxygen demand (COD), total nitrogen (TN) and total phosphorus (TP) of wastewater at different stages of decontamination. The use of all carriers efficiently prevents the loss of mobile EMs. The use of CFs increases the decontamination efficiency. Electrochemically-treated CFs perform best, and the corresponding biofilm has a strong resistivity to the surrounding environment and achieves 97.1, 92.5 and 96.0% removal rates for COD, TN and TP, respectively, which are 5%-67% higher than those obtained using PET and PVA as carriers.
The adverse effects of chemical fertilizers on agricultural fields and the environment are compelling society to move toward more sustainable farming techniques. “Effective microorganisms” is a beneficial microbial mixture that has been developed to improve soil quality and crop yield while simultaneously dramatically reducing organic chemical application. Additional indirect benefits of beneficial microorganisms application may include increased plant resistance to herbivore attack, though this has never been tested till now. Tomato plants were grown in controlled greenhouse conditions in a full-factorial design with beneficial microorganisms inoculation and commercial chemical fertilizer application as main factors. We measured plant yield and growth parameters, as well as resistance against the generalist pest Spodoptera littoralis moth larval attack. Additionally, we measured plant defensive chemistry to underpin resistance mechanisms. Overall, we found that, comparable to chemical fertilizer, beneficial microorganisms increased plant growth fruit production by 35 and 61 %, respectively. Contrary to expectations, plants inoculated with beneficial microorganisms sustained 25 % higher insect survival and larvae were in average 41 % heavier than on unfertilized plants. We explain these results by showing that beneficial microorganism-inoculated plants were impaired in the induction of the toxic glycoalkaloid molecule tomatine and the defense-related phytohormone jasmonic acid after herbivore attack. For the first time, we therefore show that biofertilizer application might endure unintended, pest-mediated negative effects, and we thus suggest that biofertilizer companies should incorporate protection attributes in their studies prior to commercialization.
EM (effective microorganisms) is a commercial biofertilizer mainly consists of photosynthetic and lactic acid bacteria, yeast and actinomycetes. The present study was undertaken to investigate the effect of EM application and two strains of nitrogen fixing Bradyrhizobium japonicum (TAL- 102 and MN-S) on plant growth, nodulation and yield of black gram [Vigna mungo (L.) Hepper] in different soil amendment systems including unamended soil, farmyard manure (FYM) @ 5 g 100 g -1 , Trifolium alexandrinum green manure (GM) @ 4 g 100 g -1 and recommended dose of NPK fertilizers. Nodule number was significantly enhanced by inoculation of either of the two B. japonicum strains in NPK and un-amended soils. A marked increase in nodule biomass was also recorded due to B. japonicum inoculation in these 2 types of soils. Grain yield was significantly increased by 46% due to either of the two B. japonicum strains in NPK amended soil. EM application markedly enhanced nodule number in FYM amended soil. Conversely, EM application in combination with either of the two B. japonicum strains resulted in pronounced reduction both in number and biomass of nodules in NPK fertilizers amendment. EM application significantly enhanced grain yield by 48% in NPK amendment without B. japonicum inoculation.
A microbial inoculant known as Effective Microorganisms or EM is a mixed culture of naturally-occurring, beneficial microorganisms (predominantly lactic acid bacteria, yeast, actinomycetes, photosynthetic bacteria and certain fungi) that has been used with considerable success to improve soil quality and the growth and yield of crops, particularly in nature farming and organic farming systems. Despite this success, the exact mechanisms of how this EM elicits such beneficial effects is largely unknown. Consequently, a study was conducted to determine the effects of EM and organic fertilizer on the growth, photosynthesis, and yield of sweet corn (Zea mays L.) under glasshouse conditions, compared with chemical fertilizer. An organic fertilizer consisting of a mixture of oilseed mill sludge, rice husk and bran, and fish processing waste, was inoculated and fermented with EM as the microbial inoculant. The organic fertilizer and chemical fertilizer were then applied to respective pots to compare the growth, yield and physiological response of sweet corn plants. EM applied with the organic fertilizer was shown to promote root growth and activity, and to enhance photosynthetic efficiency and capacity, which resulted in increased grain yield. This was attributed largely to a higher level of nutrient availability facilitated by EM application over time. Interestingly, during the early stage of the experiment, the growth and dry matter yield of plants that received organic fertilizer were actually lower than those treated with chemical fertilizer that provided higher initial levels of macronutrients. However, during the intermediate and late growth stages, EM increased the nutrient availability of the organic fertilizer to a higher level, than the chemical fertilizer. Consequently, even though there was an early lower growth rate for plants that received EM-fermented organic fertilizer compared with chemical fertilizer, the final biomass and grain yield from organic fertilizer was equal to or higher than from chemical fertilizer.
The use of Effective Microorganisms (EM) in Kyusei Nature Farming enhances crop yields in conventional organic systems. However, the causal factors of this phenomenon have not been well-documented, although some reports indicate the improvement in soil properties. Thus, a study was conducted to evaluate the nutrient utilization efficiency of two food crops grown over three seasons under conventional organic and Kyusei Nature Farming methods. The organic amendments used were coir dust, rice straw and leaves from the legume Gliricidia sepium, with or without EM. Yields of all crops were enhanced with the organic amendments and to a greater extent with EM. Plant nutrient concentrations (N and K) which are important for vegetative and reproductive growth, were greater in plants grown with EM. The utilization efficiencies of the nutrients applied with organic matter were also greater. The results are discussed in terms of the accrued benefits to food crops with the use of EM in conventional organic systems adopted in the tropics.
Research studies were conducted to elucidate the chemical, physical and microbiological properties of an organic fertilizer that was inoculated and fermented with a microbial inoculant (Effective Microorganisms or EM). The quality estimation methods employed addressed the mechanistic basis for beneficial effects of soil improvement and crop yield. Effective Microorganisms or EM was utilized as the microbial inoculant that is a mixed culture of beneficial microorganisms. Tests showed that the fermented organic fertilizer contained large populations of propagated Lactobacillus spp. Actinomycetes, photo-synthetic bacteria and yeasts; high concentrations of intermediate compounds such as organic acids and amino acids; 0.1% of mineral nitrogen mainly in the ammonium (NH4 ) form, and 1.0% of available phosphorus; and a C:N ratio of 10. The quality of the fermented organic fertilizer depends on the initial water content; addition of molasses as a carbon and energy source; and the microbial inoculant. The medium pH appears to be reliable fermentation quality criterion for producing this organic fertilizer. Beneficial effects of the fermented organic fertilizer on soil fertility and crop growth will likely depend upon the organic fraction, direct effects of the introduced microorganisms, and indirect effects of microbially-synthesized metabolites (e.g., phytohormones and growth regulators).
The effect of an organic fertilizer inoculated with Effective Microorganisms (EM) on the growth, yield and quality of 13 paddy-rice varieties varying with maturation period was studied. EM inoculation increased kernel enlargement after the panicle formation stage and also increased ear number and length and kernel number. The yield of brown rice from EM inoculation was higher for the standard fertilizer rate and lower for the higher rate of organic fertilizer. EM inoculation increased the glutinousness and the total quality index of glutinous rice varieties. Under 1993 weather conditions, early and medium-ripening non-glutinous varieties and glutinous varieties were suitable for nature farming with EM-inoculated organic fertilizer.
A field experiment was conducted to investigate the effect of a symbiotic nitrogen fixing bacterium Bradyrhizobium japonicum strain TAL-102 and a commercial biofertlizer EM (effective microorganisms) on growth, nodulation and yield of soybean [Glycine max (L.) Wilczek] in soils amended either with farmyard manure or Trifolium alexandrinum L. green manure @ 20 tons ha -1 each. In green manure amendment, B. japonicum inoculation significantly enhanced number and biomass of nodules resulting in a significant increase of 27, 65 and 55% in shoot biomass and number and biomass of pods, respectively. In farmyard manure amended soil, B. japonicum inoculation significantly enhanced fresh biomass of nodules. As a result a significant increase of 45 and 47% in shoot biomass and number of pods was recorded, respectively. Generally, the effect of sole EM application on various studied parameters was insignificant in both the soil amendment systems. Combined application of EM and B. japonicum in green manure amended soil reduced shoot growth and number of pods as compared to sole B. japonicum inoculation. Conversely, in farmyard manure amendment, plants co-inoculated with B. japonicum and EM exhibited highest and significantly greater shoot biomass, and number and biomass of pods as compared to all other treatments. The present study concludes that soybean yield can be significantly enhanced by the application of B. japonicum and EM in farmyard manure amendment.
EM (effective microorganisms) is a commercial biofertilizer mainly consists of photosynthetic and lactic acid bacteria, yeast and actinomycetes. The present study was undertaken to investigate the effect of EM application and two strains of nitrogen fixing Bradyrhizobium japonicum (TAL-102 and MN-S) on plant growth, nodulation and yield of black gram [Vigna mungo (L.) Hepper] in different soil amendment systems including unamended soil, farmyard manure (FYM) @ 5 g 100 g -1 , Trifolium alexandrinum green manure (GM) @ 4 g 100 g -1 and recommended dose of NPK fertilizers. Nodule number was significantly enhanced by inoculation of either of the two B. japonicum strains in NPK and un-amended soils. A marked increase in nodule biomass was also recorded due to B. japonicum inoculation in these 2 types of soils. Grain yield was significantly increased by 46% due to either of the two B. japonicum strains in NPK amended soil. EM application markedly enhanced nodule number in FYM amended soil. Conversely, EM application in combination with either of the two B. japonicum strains resulted in pronounced reduction both in number and biomass of nodules in NPK fertilizers amendment. EM application significantly enhanced grain yield by 48% in NPK amendment without B. japonicum inoculation.
Parthenium weed (Parthenium hysterophorus L.) is rapidly spreading in many countries around the world and has become a serious threat to nature as well as managed ecosystems. The present pot experiment was conducted in 2005 -2006 to study the effect of parthenium green manure (1, 2, 3 and 4% on fresh weight bases) and EM (effective microorganisms), a biofertilizer, on the growth and yield of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). EM application was carried out by applying 1 L of 0.2% dilution of the commercial stock EM solution per pot at fortnight intervals throughout the experimental period. Plants were harvested at flowering and maturity stages. Shoot length and dry biomass were gradually increased by increasing the quantity of green manure. There was 272% increase in shoot dry biomass over control at maturity due to 4% green manure application as compared to 137% increase due to recommended dose of nitrogen-phosphorus-potassium (NPK) fertilizer. Highest root biomass was recorded in 3% green manure amended treatment. Spike length, number of grains per spike and grains yield was also gradually increased by increasing the quantity of green manure. There was 43 to 253% increase in grain yield over control due to various green manure treatments as compared to 96% increase due to NPK fertilizers over control. EM application in un-amended control, NPK fertilizers as well as in various green manure treatments either exhibited insignificant effect or significantly reduced various studied parameters. The present study concludes that parthenium weed has the potential to be used as green manure for wheat.
Despite the increasing interest in organic products, our understanding of how different organic treatments affect fruit and
vegetable quality is still limited. The effect of three organic pre-harvest treatments [effective microorganisms (EM), a fermented
mixture of effective microorganisms with organic matter (EM-Bokashi+EM), and an auxiliary soil product (Greengold®)] on Swiss chard quality was evaluated. The Swiss chard was analyzed 8 and 19weeks after sowing. The treatments did not
notably modify the physical and chemical quality of the chard when compared with control plants. Chard harvested 19weeks
after sowing showed greater differences in nutritional quality than chard harvested 8weeks after sowing. Control plants had
higher water content than the plants treated with EM, EM-Bokashi+EM and Greengold®. Chards treated with EM-Bokashi+EM had lower ascorbic acid content and higher phosphor and magnesium content than control
plants. Application of EM to plants induced higher levels of calcium compared with non-treated plants.
Three strains of phototrophic, purple, non-sulfur bacteria, isolated from eutrophic ponds, were used to treat odorous swine wastewater. One isolate, Rhodopseudomonas palustris, when cultured in swine wastewater without supplementation for 7 d, removed odorous organic acids (170 mg l(-1)), COD (10,000 mg l(-1)) and phosphate (180 mg l(-1)).
Rhodobacter sphaeroides OU5 utilized l-phenylalanine as sole source of nitrogen for growth. The metabolites of l-phenylalanine catabolism, i.e. 4-hydroxy phenylalanine (l-tyrosine), 3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine (DOPA), 3,4-dihydroxyphenyl-pyruvic acid (DOPP), 3,4-dihydroxyphenyllactic acid (DOPLA), 3,4-dihydroxyphenyl-acetic acid (DOPAc) and 3,4-dihydroxybenzoic acid (PC), were identified using liquid chromatography-mass spectroscopy (LC-MS). With 2-oxoglutarate as an amino acceptor, DOPA aminotransferase activity was observed with cell-free extracts and the product DOPP was confirmed through mass analysis. Reductive deamination of DOPA also occurred in the absence of 2-oxoglutarate, whose products were 3,4-dihydroxyphenylpropionic acid (DPPA) and ammonia. The enzyme DOPA-reductive deaminase (DOPARDA) was purified to its homogeneity and characterized. DOPARDA has an obligate requirement for NADH and is functional at low concentrations of the substrate (<150 microM). The molecular mass of the purified enzyme was approximately 274kD and the enzyme could be a heterotetramer of 110, 82, 43 and 39kD subunits as determined by SDS-PAGE.
The influence of effective microorganisms (EM), a commercially available microbial inoculant containing yeasts, fungi, bacteria and actinomycetes, was evaluated in field trials of commercially produced, irrigated vegetable crops on “organic” farms in Canterbury, New Zealand during 1994–1995, and in a laboratory incubation. EM plus molasses were both applied, at 10 L ha in 10,000 L ha water, three times to the onions, twice to the peas and seven times to the sweetcorn. EM plus molasses increased the onion yield by 29% and the proportion of highest grade onions by 76%. EM plus molasses also increased pea yields by 31% and sweetcorn cob weights by 23%. A four week incubation at 30°C of loamy sand and 1% w/w pasture litter had treatments including a control, glucose, and EM plus glucose, and captured respired carbon (C) using NaOH traps. By the end of the incubation the glucose treatment had respired 38% more C than the control. The EM treatment respired an additional 8% more C than the glucose treatment. Using EM stimulated C mineralization in the laboratory incubation, but a corresponding increase in mineralization of organic nitrogen, phosphorus and sulphur was not measured.
Effective microorganisms (EM), a culture of coexisting beneficial microorganisms predominantly consisting of species of photosynthetic and lactic acid bacteria, yeast and actinomycetes, has been developed by Japanese Scientists. In the present study effect of soil sterilization on performance of a commercial EM biofertilizer (EM Bioab), in improving crop growth and yield in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) was studied in two types of organic amendments viz. farmyard manure (FYM) and Trifolium alexandrinum L. green manure (GM). Plant vegetative and reproductive growth and grain yield was better in heat-sterilized than in nonsterilized soil. EM application resulted an insignificant increase in root and shoot dry biomass and grain yield in heat sterilized FYM amended soil while in heat sterilized GM amendment it caused a significant reduction in grain yield. In nonsterilized soils EM application suppressed root and shoot growth at vegetative stage and had insignificant effect at maturity. Effect was more pronounced in FYM than in GM amendment. In nonsterilized FYM amended soil grain yield was also declined by 41% due to EM application.
Three different types of anaerobic fermentations were used for the mass production of the photosynthetic bacterium Rhodopseudomonaspalustris as diet for aquaculture. The optimum agitation speed and malate concentration were 300 r.p.m. and 0.2% in the modified MYC medium, respectively. In batch fermentations of R. palustris, the maximum number of viable cells was 1.1×1010 c.f.u. ml−1 with 2.65 g l−1 of DCW, and the maximum specific growth rate and biomass productivity were estimated to be 0.12 h−1 and 55 mg l−1 h−1, respectively. Crude protein content of R. palustris was about 72–74%. The composition of stearic acid and oleic acid of R. palustris was superior to those of Chlorella and yeasts, while that of other fatty acids tested was not. The amino acid profiles of the protein hydrolysate compared favorably with Food Agricultural Organization (FAO) guidelines. The biomass productivities from fed-batch experiments were found to be 50, 47 and 49 mg l−1 h−1 for linear, exponential, and sigmoidal feeding strategy, respectively. The maximum biomass productivity was found to be 112 mg l−1 h−1 in chemostat. Compared to growth in batch cultures, continuous fermentation yielded two times higher biomass productivity.
Effective microorganisms (EM), a culture of coexisting beneficial microorganisms predominantly
consisting of species of photosynthetic and lactic acid bacteria, yeast and actinomycetes,
has been developed by Japanese Scientists. In the present study effect of soil sterilization
on performance of a commercial EM biofertilizer (EM Bioab), in improving crop
growth and yield in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) was studied in two types of organic amendments
viz. farmyard manure (FYM) and Trifolium alexandrinum L. green manure (GM). Plant
vegetative and reproductive growth and grain yield was better in heat-sterilized than in
nonsterilized soil. EM application resulted an insignificant increase in root and shoot dry biomass
and grain yield in heat sterilized FYM amended soil while in heat sterilized GM amendment
it caused a significant reduction in grain yield. In nonsterilized soils EM application suppressed
root and shoot growth at vegetative stage and had insignificant effect at maturity. Effect
was more pronounced in FYM than in GM amendment. In nonsterilized FYM amended
soil grain yield was also declined by 41% due to EM application.
There is a growing interest in the use of soil microbial inoculants as an alternative biological approach to a) improve soil quality, b) enhance the growth, yield and quality of crops, and c) reduce the inputs of chemical fertilizers and pesticides in agriculture worldwide. One such product that has received considerable attention, is Effective Microorganisms or EM; it consists of mixed cultures of beneficial microorganisms. A long-term field experiment was conducted at Faisalabad, Pakistan to determine the agronomic and economic merits of EM in a rice-wheat cropping system. Treatments were applied in a randomized complete block design that included: control (untreated); recommended chemical fertilizer (NPK); green manure (GM); farmyard manure (FYM); Effective Microorganisms (EM) alone; NPK + EM; GM + EM; and FYM + EM. Significantly higher grain and straw yields for both crops were obtained with NPK alone, with other treatments in the following order: NPK > GM > FYM > EM. However, when fertilizer and organic amendments were combined with EM, higher grain and straw yields were obtained for each crop following the same order, i.e., NPK+EM > GM+EM > FYM+EM. The GM+EM treatment produced grain and straw yields for each crop that approached those for NPK alone. In all cases, the grain and straw yields from EM alone were higher than the controls. With few exceptions, EM applied in combination with NPK, GM and FYM caused a significant increase in nutrient uptake by the grain and straw of each crop. The uptake of NPK by both crops was higher for EM alone than for the controls. A comparative economic analysis of the treatments showed a significantly higher net return due to EM. The average net profit from rice and wheat production using EM was $44.90 ha−1 and $62.35 ha−1, respectively. The study indicates that EM can enhance maximum economic yields in a rice-wheat rotation and also improve soil productivity when applied with organic amendments.
Effective microorganisms are cultures of coexisting beneficial microorganisms predominantly consisting of species of photosynthetic and lactic acid bacteria, yeast and actinomycetes, that could be used for alternative crop production. I studied the effect of soil and foliar application of these microorganisms on crop growth, yield and nodulation in pea (Pisum sativum L.), in soils amended with Trifolium alexandrinum L. green manure, farmyard manure and NPK fertilizers. The results show that foliar application of effective microorganisms enhanced nodulation, using NPK amendment, reaching a 217% increase for nodule number and a 167% increase for nodule biomass. Similarly, a grain yield increase of 126% for NPK amendment and of 145% for green manure amendment was found after foliar application of effective microorganisms. These findings show that foliar application of effective microorganisms in combination with proper soil amendment can improve nodulation and yield in pea.
A field experiment was conducted to determine the effects of integrated use of organic and inorganic nutrient sources with effective microorganisms on growth and yield of cotton. Treatments included: control; organic materials (OM); effective microorganisms (EM); OM+EM; mineral NPK (170:85:60 kg); 1/2 mineral NPK+EM; 1/2 mineral NPK+OM+EM and mineral NPK+OM+EM. OM and EM alone did not increase the yield and yield attributing components significantly but integrated use of both resulted in a 44% increase over control. Application of NPK in combination with OM and EM resulted in the highest seed cotton yield (2470 kg ha-1). Integrated use of OM+EM with 1/2 mineral NPK yielded 2091 kg ha-1, similar to the yield (2165 kg ha-1) obtained from full recommended NPK, indicating that this combination can substitute for 85 kg N ha-1. Combination of both N sources with EM also increased the concentrations of NPK in plants. Economic analysis suggested the use of 1/2 mineral NPK with EM+OM saves the mineral N fertilizer by almost 50% compared to a system with only mineral NPK application. This study indicated that application of EM increased the efficiency of both organic and mineral nutrient sources but alone was ineffective in increasing yield.
To efficiently utilize rice straw and lessen its disposal problem on the environment, a lactic acid bacteria community, SFC-2 was developed from natural fermentation products of rice straw by continuous enrichment with the MRS-S broth (MRS broth with sucrose), and used to accelerate the fermentation of air-dried straws. The SFC-2 could rapidly lower the pH of the broth and produce high levels of lactic acid. Using a combination of plate isolation, denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) and 16S rDNA sequencing, the microbial composition of the SFC-2 was classified into Lactobacillus, mainly comprised of L. fermentum, L. plantarum and L. paracacei. An evaluation of the fermentation effect of SFC-2 on rice straw showed that it lowered the pH and significantly (P<0.05) increased lactic acid concentration in the straw. Further analysis with DGGE indicated that L. plantarum, L. fermentum and L. paracasei were the dominant species during fermentation.
Technology of beneficial microorganisms
- T Hussain
- A D Anjum
- J Tahir
Hussain, T., A. D. Anjum, and J. Tahir. 2002. Technology of beneficial microorganisms. Nature
Farming and Environment 3:1-14.
Appraisal of antifungal activity of Aloe vera
- R Bajwa
- S Shafique
- Shafique
Bajwa R, Shafique S, Shafique S, 2007. Appraisal of antifungal activity of Aloe vera. Mycopath, 5: 5-9. Bajwa R, Javaid A, Shafique S, Javaid A, Jabeen K, Shafique S, 2008. Fungistatic
US Salinity Laboratories Staff Handbook No. 60
- Richards
Richards. 1954. (US Salinity Laboratories Staff Handbook No. 60). Washington, D.C.: U.S.
Government Printing Office.
Effective microorganisms: A biotechnology for mankind
- T Higa
Higa, T. 1991. Effective microorganisms: A biotechnology for mankind. In Proceedings of 1st Kyusei
Nature Farming, ed. J. F. Parr, S. B. Hornick, and C. E. Whitman, 8-14. Washington, D.C.:
USDA.