Effect on the Soil Microflora
This trial (Higa & Wididana, 1991) conducted by EM developer Professor Dr Terou Higa and Gene Widdiana at the University of Ryukus in Japan looked at the changes in the Soil Microflora Induced by Effective Microorganisms
In the study reported here, EM cultures increased the number of Enterobacter spp. and starch digesting bacteria in soil. A combination of different EM products markedly suppressed the number of Verticillium, Thielaviopsis, and Fusarium fungal species that are destructive soil borne plant pathogens. Some of the EM cultures significantly increased the population of Trichoderma and Penicillium species that are known to suppress plant pathogenic fungi in soils: Soil physical properties, including cultivation depth and porosity, were generally improved by EM treatment.
In another trial (Lim, Pak, & Jong, 1997) conducted in Korea the effect of EM on the number of microorganisms in the soil was measured. The below table shows that the EM treatment increased the number of aerobic bacteria, nitrogen-fixing bacteria and actinomycetes 10.5, 17.8, 49.6, and 1.7 times over the control, respectively.
Higa, T., & Wididana, G. N. (1991). Changes in the Soil Microflora Induced by Effective Microorganisms.
Lim, Y. D., Pak, T. W., & Jong, C. B. (1997). Yields of Rice and Maize as Affected by Effective MIcroorganisms. Institute of Agrobiology and Institute of Soil Science, Academy of Agriculural Sciences.