|June 2010. A request from New Caledonia for information on EM (Effective microorganisms), after a member said that it was used successfully against the papaya mealybug (Paracoccus marginatus) in Vietnam. For this, EM was diluted 500 to 1, and sprayed on the infested areas as well as on the ground around the base of the trees. A second application followed after 4 days, and a third another 4 day???s later.
There is plenty of information on EM technology on the Internet. However, this is what one member, who used it against pests of Jatropha, sent to Pestnet:
The standard EM produced commercially contains the following microorganisms:
Photosynthetic bacteria (Rhodopseudomonas spp.)
Independent, self-supporting microbes that synthesise amino acids, nucleic acids, bioactive substances, and sugars from the secretions of roots, organic matter, and/or harmful gases. The metabolites developed by these microorganisms are absorbed directly into plants and act as substrates for increasing other microbial populations such as VA mycorrhizae).
Lactic Acid bacteria (Lactobacillus spp.)
This bacteria produces lactic acid from sugars and other carbohydrates developed by photosynthetic bacteria and yeast. Lactic acid is a strong sterilising compound and suppresses harmful microorganisms, and enhances decomposition of organic matter. It also promotes the fermentation and decomposition of material such as lignin and cellulose, thereby removing the undesirable effects of undecomposed organic matter. It also suppresses Fusarium and reduces nematode populations.
Yeast (Saccharmoyces spp.)
Yeasts synthesise antimicrobial and other useful substances required for plant growth. Bioactive substances such as hormones and enzymes promote active cell and root division.
Whilst each of these different species of microorganisms have their own respective functions, photosynthetic bacteria is the pivot of EM activity. The bacteria support the activities of other microorganisms in a phenomena called ???co-existence and co-prosperity???. The enhancement of microbial populations creates a soil with an abundant microflora. In this process soil specific microbes (especially harmful ones) are suppressed, thereby reducing microbial diseases that cause soil borne diseases.
The Pestnet member mentioned that he has produced a non-commercial EM product. It was made by harvesting microbes from soil around the roots of a healthy, vigorous, Jatropha tree. The idea being that the microflora in the roots of such plants can be added to the other soils to produce the same benefits