SOIL FERTILITY MANAGEMENT
MODULE – 3 (PART – 2)
COMPOSTING AND COMPOST APPLICATION
Rapid Composting Methods
I. Using Effective Micro-organisms (EM);
Effective Microorganisms or EM is a mixed culture of
beneficial microorganisms that can be applied as an
inoculant to speed the decomposition process.
EM contains selected species of microorganisms,
including:
Predominant populations of lactic acid bacteria and
yeasts and
Smaller numbers of photosynthetic bacteria,
Actinomycetes and other types of organisms such as
fermenting fungi
Rapid Composting Methods
Using Effective Micro-organisms (EM);
EM works in two main ways
1. by competitive exclusion from other harmful
microorganisms and
2. through the production of beneficial by-products
such as enzymes, organic acids, amino acids,
Microbes in Natural Env`t
(80-90 %)
Neutral
(5-10 %) Microbes (5-10 %)
Harmful Beneficial
Microbes Microbes
Disease Inducing Soils
Pathogenic
Microbes Beneficial
Microbes
Neutral
Microbes
with EM
Pathogenic
EM Beneficial
Microbes Microbes
Phototrophic Bacteria
• Photosynthetic bacteria synthesize useful
substances from secretions of roots, organic
matter, harmful gases (e.g. hydrogen sulfide)
• The useful substances comprise of amino
acids, nucleic acids, bioactive substances and
sugars, for plant growth and also as
substrates.
Photosynthetic Bacteria
• Other effective microorganisms like VA (vesicular-
arbuscular) mycorrhiza are increased due to the
availability of nitrogenous compounds (amino
acids) for use as substrates .
• VA mycorrhiza increases the solubility of
phosphates in soils thereby supplying unavailable
phosphorus to plants.
• VA mycorrhiza can coexist with Azotobactor as
nitrogenfixing bacteria and enhance nitrogen
fixing ability of legumes.
Lactic Acid Bacteria
• It produces lactic acid from sugars &
carbohydrates produced by Photosynthetic
bacteria and Yeast.
• lactic acid is a strong sterilizer. It suppresses
harmful microorganisms and increases rapid
decomposition of organic matter
• Lactic acid bacteria has the ability to suppress
Fusarium propagation which is a harmful
microorganism causing disease problems in
continuous cropping
Lactic Acid Bacteria Cont…
• Generally, increased Fusarium populations
weakens plants.
• This condition promotes diseases and also
results in the sudden increase of harmful
nematodes.
• The occurrence of nematodes disappear
gradually, as Lactic acid bacteria suppresses
the propagation and function of Fusarium.
Yeasts
• Yeasts synthesize antimicrobial and useful
substances for plant growth as a result of food
by Photosynthetic bacteria
• Bioactive substances such as hormones and
enzymes produced by yeasts promote active
cell and root division.
• Their secretions are useful substrates for
effective microorganisms such as Lactic acid
bacteria and Actinomycetes.
Actinomycetes
• Produces antimicrobial substances from
amino acids secreted by Photosynthetic
bacteria and organic matter.
• Coexist of Actinomycetes with Photosynthetic
bacteria enhance the quality of the soil
environment
Fermenting Fungi
• Fermenting fungi such as Aspergillus and
Penicillium decompose organic matter rapidly
to produce alcohol and antimicrobial
substances.
• These suppress odors and prevent infestation
of harmful insects and maggots.
coexistence and co-prosperity
• Each species of EM has its own important
function. However, photosynthetic bacteria is
the pivot of EM activity.
• Photosynthetic bacteria support the activities
of other microorganisms. On the other hand,
it also utilizes substances produced by other
microorganisms.
coexistence and co-prosperity cont…
• When EM increase as a community in soils,
populations of native effective microorganisms
are also enhanced.
• specific microorganisms (especially harmful
microorganisms) do not increase. Thus, soil
borne diseases are suppressed.
EM Derivatives
• Stock EM (usually known as EM1) is what is
supplied by the mother company.
• EM1 solution is in a concentrated form and the
microorganisms are at a dormant stage.
• Several EM derivatives are prepared from EM1
for different purposes
• The pH of EM 1 should be below 3.5 if greater
than 4 it is deteriorated giving bad odder. Should
not be used
EM derivatives
•Activated EM
• Fermented Plant Extract (EM-F.P.E)
• EM – 5
• Bokashi
Activated EM
• Stock EM is activated to reduce cost. In
producing A-EM, EM1 is being activated and
not being diluted
• In order to activate EM, you will need:
- Airtight container
- Molasses (or sugar)
- Stock EM
- Water (chlorine Free)
A-EM preparation of 20 liter
• Mix EM-1, Molasses and water in a ratio of
1:1:18 in air tight container
• Store it in an airtight container for 10 – 14 days
at temperatures of 20⁰C – 25⁰C
• In cold areas, the time needed to ferment
activated EM will be relatively longer.
A-EM preparation cont…
• You can check the maturity of A-EM by smell,
taste, and appearance which will be similar to
that of Stock EM.
• The pH will be below 4. Harmful micro-
organisms can not live or survive in such acidic
conditions
WARNING!
• DO NOT MULTIPLY EM1 MORE THAN ONE
TIME!
• Multiplying more than one time will cause
imbalance in the ideal proportional
composition leading to the loss of the desired
benefit.
Compost Making With EM
Ingredients for compost making:
– EM 1 2L
– Molasses 2L
– Water 96 L
– Compost material 1. tone (10 quintal)
• Dissolve EM1, and Molasses in water
• Follow compost making procedure for
preparation
Compost Making With EM
• EM Application Ratio for making 1 ton of
compost
• The ratio shall be adjusted according to the type of organic
materials used for making compost. Very dry organic material
will require more of the diluted solution.
• EM Application Ratio for making 1 ton of compost as
recommended by EMRO for warm tropics
Compost Making With EM
Procedure
Sprinkle the diluted EM water at a rate of 20
liters on surface area of 2 x 4 m
Start with 20 cm layer of plant materials on
an already moistened ground
Put a layer of animal waste or plant material
as available
Sprinkle EM water
Place 5-10 cm layer of soil and sprinkle EM Spray EM
water
Place another layer of plant material
Continue until you have reached a height of
1 – 1.5 meters above ground
Compost Making With EM
Cover with soil
Place a dry stick that should serve to measure the temperature.
Heating will start in three to four days
Turn the composting layer after the temperature has reached
about 50৹c (in about a week)
If white mold is seen on the stick, it is a sign that the compost
is too dry. Apply water to bring the moisture to about 40% but
not more
Cover with soil
The compost should be ready for use in about 5-6 weeks time
Compost Making With EM
• Composting maize Stover with EM after 40
days (left) and Without EM applied (right)
EM-Fermented Plant Extract
• EM-E.P.E is a mixture of fresh weeds fermented
with molasses and EM1.
• It works as an insect repellent and disease
suppressor
• Contains nutrients such as amino acids and
other bioactive matter such as enzymes,
hormones, vitamins, extracted from the plants
EM-F.P.E
EM-F.P.E: Preparation of 20 liters
Ingredients for Fermented Plant Extract
No Item Quantity
1 Chopped fresh weeds 20 liters (not pressed
down)
2 Water (chlorine free) 16 liters
3 Molasses / sugar (3%) 480 ml
4 Stock EM (3%) 480 ml
Plants for preparation of EM-F.P.E
• Use plants which have some kind of medicinal
or insect repelling property such as clover,
herbs, and grass.
• Pruned green fruits and young shoots could
also be incorporated.
• Do not use toxic plants that have a milky or
dark coloured sap.
EM-F.P.E Preparation
• Put chopped weeds into a bucket which can be
sealed
• Mix EM1 and molasses into water and pour the
solution into bucket over the plant material
• Put a weight on the plant material to press it
down, to ensure that it is submersed in the EM
• Put a lid on the bucket, taking care not to leave
too much air inside. Put it in warm place
EM-F.P.E Preparation cont…
• Fermentation begins and gas is generated
within 2 – 5 days (depending on temperature)
• The EM-F.P.E is ready for use when pH of the
solution is below 3.7
• Put the EM-F.P.E into a plastic bottle after
removing the weeds by filtration (use gauze or
cloth).
EM-F.P.E Storage
• EM-F.P.E. should be stored in a dark cool place,
which has a uniform temperature
• Do not store in the refrigerator or in direct
sunlight
• EM-F.P.E. should be used within one month
after preparation because EM breaks down
some of the useful substances extracted from
plants
Application of EM-F.P.E
• Spray EM-F.P.E. diluted solution (1 : 500 to 1
: 1000) on the crop using a sprayer
• Start spraying after germination, before pests
and diseases appear
• Spray in the morning or after heavy rains
• Apply EM-F.P.E. regularly
EM – 5
• standard set • Water (chlorine free) 3L
of ingredients • Molasses / sugar 500 ml
for making • Vinegar * 500 ml
EM – 5 (5L)
• Areke (47% - 50%) 500 ml
• Stock EM 500 ml
EM-5 Preparation
• Blend the molasses/ sugar with water
• Add vinegar and Areke followed by
Activated EM
• Pour the mixed solution into a plastic
container, ensuring that it seals airtight
EM-5 storage
• EM – 5 should be stored in a dark cool place,
which has a uniform temperature
• Do not store in the refrigerator or in direct
sunlight.
• EM – 5 should be used within three months
after preparation
Application of EM – 5
• Spray EM 5 diluted in water 1 / 500 – 1/1000
to wet the crop
• Start spraying after germination, before pests
and diseases appear
• Spray in the morning or after heavy rain
• Apply EM – regularly
• You can mix EM 5 with EM-FPE
EM Bokashi
• "Bokashi" is a Japanese word which means "Fermented
organic matter".
• EM-bokash - is a mixture of multiplied EM with fresh and
quality organic materials like rice bran, wheat bran or fish
meal.
• After the ingredients have been mixed, the resultant solution is
kept for up to two weeks to ferment in sealed containers.
• The final product is used for:
– Accelerating the fermentation and anaerobic decomposition
of organic waste materials when making compost.
– Adding to animal feed for improvements in general health
and natural.
EM Bokashi
• "Ingredients for preparation of 20 liters
- 70 kg, Commercial feed, wheat, barley and maize
bran, maize floor, etc. At least three types of OM is
recommended for increased microbial diversity
- 1 liter Molasses or 1 kg sugar
- 1 Liter EM 1
- 18 liters of Water
Procedure for Bokashi preparation
• Dissolve Molasses and Em1 in the water
• Mix the solid raw material (commercial feed,
wheat, barley and well sieved poultry dung, etc)
• Take a portion of the solid raw material on a
plastic sheet
• Sprinkle the solution on the solid material and mix
well until the moisture is uniform. Press a fist full
until it barley sticks together when released.
Procedure for Bokashi preparation
• Place the moistened material in the plastic
container and compress it to drive out as much air
as possible. Heat will be generated if the Bokashi is
not compressed
• Repeat this until all the material has been
consumed
• Place a few layers of old news paper to absorb dew
which form through condensation under the lid
• Close the container and make sure it is air-tight
Storing Bokashi
• Place the container away from direct sun light
• The fermentation period is 4-5 weeks
• The Bokashi is ready for use when it gives a
sweet fermented smell
• If any coloured fungi are growing on it, the
Bokashi should not be used for animal feed
• The Bokashi that has gone bad should be
composted by adding A-EM as inoculants
Utilization of Bokashi
• It should be used as soon as possible
• It may be stored for a maximum of six months.
• The amount of Bokashi should be between
1-4% of the feed by weight.
• Higher dosage is recommended for fattening
For livestock production
• used to enrich feed of livestock and poultry
• Improves palatability
• Improves livestock health
• Suppressing foul odour
• Reducing population of flies
• Recycling of poultry dung for livestock feed.
Where Do You Get EM
