Research on the TechnoIogy of Effective Microorganisms in Sri Lanka

U.R. Sangakkara
Department of Crop Science University of Peradeniya,
Peradenlya, Sri Lanka
Abstract.
A comprehensive research program was initiated in 1990 to identify the benefits of Effective
Microorganisms (EM) on the productivity of organic systems. Leaves of Gliricidia sepium
and rice straw, which have different C:N ratios and are commonly available, were used as
sources of organic matter. In addition, suitable controls were maintained in order to determine
the beneficial effects of EM. Yields of legumes were enhanced with EM to a greater extent
than non-legumes. The beneficial impact of EM was also greater with Gliricidia which had a
lower C:N ratio. EM applied to the bare soil also produced some yield stability. In contrast,
EM did not influence yields of chemically-fertilized crops. The benefits of EM were greater in
a wet season. EM and organic matter enhanced selected soil physical characteristics over the
three years of the study. Possible causes of the effectiveness of EM on the enhancement of
soil properties are discussed.
Introduction
The comparison of population growth and food needs illustrates an important agricultural
factor. Population growth tends to be smooth while agricultural production fluctuates widely
in response to variations in weather (Pendleton and Lawson, 1989). Thus, total food
production needs to increase especially in developing countries until yields stabilize (Hare,
1981).
The dense human populations of the world exist in the humid tropics (Pendleton and Lawson,
1989). Shifting cultivation or subsistence agriculture is the dominant food production system
in this region; land is cleared and planted in a diverse range of intensities and crop
combinations (Pendleton and Lawson, 1989). However, with increasing pressure on land,
permanent agriculture is now being practiced (Okigbo, 1983).
Maintaining and improving soil fertility with organic matter is an important aspect of
managing tropical soils (Jaya and van der Zaag, 1991). Furthermore, it is widely acclaimed as a
vital element in future agricultural systems (IFIA, 1992) especially in developing countries
because of the increased cost of chemical fertilizers, reduced incomes for farmers, and the
increased loss of fertility in tropical soils. Hence, organic matter, with its proven value as a
source of plant nutrients and soil physical property maintenance (Wade and Sanchez, 1983),
has a significant role in the agricultural sector of the humid tropics. This is further accentuated
by the current export market available for food grown under natural conditions, free of
agrichemicals.
A primary limitation in the use of organic matter for crop production is its low nutrient
content; this necessitates the use of large quantities to sustain crop nutrient requirements. The
slow release and loss of nutrients during decomposition and vital nutrient balances such as
C:N ratios affect the usefulness of organic matter. These features make extensive use of
organic matter difficult; in smallholdings, it results in low yields that do not produce a stable
and sufficient income for farmers.
With an increasing demand for high quality agricultural products grown under natural
conditions without agrichemicals, research is being conducted to enhance the value of organic
matter and to improve environmental quality. Thus, studies on the use of new technologies of
natural farming could be considered a vital link in the agriculture of the humid tropics where
more efficient use of organic matter would result in increased yields on a sustainable basis
The technology of Effective Microorganisms (EM) is a proven method for increasing crop
yields in nature farming (Higa, 1991). EM solutions, which contain naturally occurring
microorganisms, enhance the value of organic matter by accelerating its decomposition and
releasing greater quantities of nutrients for crop utilization (Higa and Wididana, 1991). Studies
(Lin, 1991; Sangakkara and Higa, 1992) have proven its usefulness for many food crops in
different environments. The causal mechanisms for the increases in crop yields with EM have
not been quantified, although the beneficial nature of the organisms have been reported. Thus,
a long-term study was implemented in two selected locations in Sri Lanka to test the efficacy
of EM for increasing the yield of four important food crops selected on the basis of their
diversity in growth habit and duration, harvested product, and response to dry and wet
seasons over which the experiments were conducted. The experiments were conducted over
three years using two sources of organic matter, and the changes in some soil physical
properties in relation to the application of organic matter were evaluated with and without
EM.
Methodology
The study was conducted at two sites in close proximity to the experimental station of the
University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka (7
o
N, 81
o
E, 372m above sea level), situated in the
intermediate, mid-country zone of the island. The seasons that determine the agriculture of the
country, which correspond to the northeast monsoon (October to February, WET -MAHA
season) and southwest monsoon (April to July, DRY - YALA season), were selected for the
study. Thus, the seasons of experimentation were WET - 1990/91, 1991/92 and 1992/93 and
DRY - 1991, 1992 and 1993 (Table 1).
The soil at the sites was an Alfisol with the following characteristics: Texture, sandy clay
loam; water holding capacity, 18.26% 0.48% (v/v); bulk density, 1.54 0.08 g/cm
3
; pH (1:5
H
2
O), 6.24 0.12; and an organic C content of 1.02% 0.18%.
The crops selected were:
WET SEASON: Mungbean (Vigna radiata L. Wilczek variety Type 51)
Sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas L. Iocally available material)
DRY SEASON: Bush bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L. variety Top Crop)
Tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum L. variety local selection)
The treatments adopted over the entire experimental period were as follows:
A: Control - no additives
B: Recommended chemical fertilizer regime (Department of Agriculture, 1988) C: EM
4 inoculated into soil without additives
D: Gliricidia leaves (C:N ratio, 11.8 1.5)
E: Rice straw (C:N ratio, 55.1 2.1)
F: Gliricidia leaves plus EM 4
G: Rice straw plus EM 4
H: Recommended chemical fertilizer regime plus EM 4
The same crops were used in all three years. Individual plots (3 x 4 m) received the same
treatment throughout the study. For each cropping season, the legume was followed by the
non-legume. The layout of the trials was a factorial experiment with three replications per
treatment in each season. The plots were separated by 50-cm alleys. Plots receiving EM were
clustered together within a replication to avoid contamination and spray drifts.
Organic matter was applied to the plots at a rate equivalent to 10 MT of fresh material two
weeks before planting. Chemical fertilizer was also applied at the same time. EM 4 solution
was sprayed onto the selected plots and the soil was mixed. EM 4 was diluted 1:500 with
water and the rate of application was 3000 liters per ha.
The crops were planted and managed according to local recommendations for rainfed
agriculture (Department of Agriculture, 1988). At the important stages of crop growth, EM 4
(diluted to 1 : 10,000 with water) was applied (5000 liters per ha); thus, each crop received
three applications after planting. At crop maturity, yields were determined.
The water-holding capacity and bulk density of the soil were determined at the onset of the
experiment (Table 2). At the end of each dry season (1991, 1992 and 1993) the same
determinations were made for each plot (Black. 1965).
The data were subjected to statistical analysis using a General Linear Model to determine
treatment differences.
Results and Discussion
The wet seasons over the experimental period (October to February) received approxi-mately
65 percent of the mean annual rainfall (Table 1). Thus, crops established in the dry season
were subjected to some moisture and heat stress, which is a characteristic of the agroclimate of
the region (Domros, 1974). The crops selected for cultivation under rainfed conditions in the
wet season are drought-avoiding, tolerant or resistant species.
As shown in Table 3, the highest yields were obtained when EM was applied to mungbean or
sweet potato in the wet season with or without organic manures or chemical fertilizer. The
lowest yields were obtained from the control plots. These results emphasize that additives are
necessary in order to obtain high yields in this soil. The gradual decline in yield over time also
indicates the inability of the soil to sustain production without additives.
Table 1. Mean Climatic Parameters over the Experimental Period.
Paraneter Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug 5ep
RainIall 146 Z6
5
Z5
1
18
Z
10
8
37 95 156 10
9
87 Z4 Z1
(nn/
nonth)

Tenperatu
re
Z8.6 Z7.
1
Z7.
Z
Z6.
1
Z7.
Z
Z9.
5
Z9.
1
Z8.3 30.
6
30.
Z
Z9.
5
Z9.
6
(oC)

Hunidity
( %)
76.5 8Z.
4
74.
5
78 75.
4
75.
1
75.
6
81 81.
6
80.
5
78.
3
74.
1
Daylength

11 to 1Z hours

5easons WLT

DRY

Wet season:
October to February
Dry season: April to July
Table 2. Effect of EM on Selected Soil Physical Properties.
Treatnent Water
-
Holdin
g
Capac
ity (%
v/v)

Bulk
Densi
ty
(g/
cn3)


1991 199Z 1993 sd 1991 199Z 1993 sd
Control 18.Z4 18.95 18.46 0.0Z1 1.51 1.51 1.54 0.01
7
Fertilizer 18.5Z 18.65 18.51 0.008 1.53 1.57 1.59 0.01
1
LM 18.Z6 18.34 18.35 0.003 1.5Z 1.53 1.51 0.04
Z
Gliricidia
leaves
18.64 18.7Z 18.85 0.005 1.51 1.5 1.48 0.01
Rice straw 18.58 18.61 18.75 0.011 1.5Z 1.5 1.5 0.00
8
Gliricidia + LM 18.7Z 18.8Z 19.Z6 0.0Z1 1.5 1.48 1.45 0.01
8
Rice straw +
LM
18.65 18.74 18.89 0.011 1.5Z 1.5 1.49 0.00
5
Fertilizer +
LM
18.54 18.6Z 18.65 0.008 1.53 1.5Z 1.5Z 0.00
4
L5D (P=0.05) 0.14Z 0.039 0.05Z

0.01
Z
0.006 0.004

Measurements were taken at the end of the dry season (August) of each year, beginning in
1991.
Table 3. Yield of Mungbean and Sweet Potato as Affected by Organic
Amendments, Chemical Fertilizer and EM during Three Wet Seasons
(1990/91, 1991/92 and 1992/93).
Mungbean
Anendnent LM
Applied
Year
1
Year
Z
Year3

(g/
nZ)
(g/
nZ)
(g/
nZ)
Gliricidia leaves Yes 314 358 417

No ZZ4 Z47 Z80
Rice straw Yes 184 Z17 Z61

No 140 165 190
Chenical Iertilizer Yes 415 404 41Z

No 4Z1 384 404
Control Yes 97 10Z 107
(No anendnent) No 78 68 65
L5D (P=0.05) Anendne
nt
46.4 Z7.1 19.8

LM
Applied
4.8 10.7 7.1

lnteractio
n
* * *
Sweet Potato
Anendnent LM
Applied
Year
1
Year
Z
Year3

(g/
nZ)
(g/
nZ)
(g/
nZ)
Gliricidia leaves Yes 675 745 798

No 561 384 604
Rice straw Yes 483 5Z5 56Z

No 401 4ZZ 431
Chenical Iertilizer Yes 1174 1304 1Z89

No 1101 1Z48 1Z6Z
Control Yes Z81 Z59 Z54
(No anendnent) No Z47 Z41 Z08
L5D (P=0.05) Anendne
nt
39.5 18.7 50.5

LM
Applied
11.1 14.7 Z7.6

lnteractio
n
N5 * *
The highest yields of both species were harvested from plots supplied with chemical
fertilizers. This clearly implies the requirement for additional nutrients in this environment and
the reason for fertilizer use by farmers.
Application of organic matter also increased yields of both species over that of the control.
However, Gliricidia leaves, with a low C:N ratio, had a greater impact on yields, thereby
illustrating the value of leguminous materials as green manures. Rice straw, with its higher C:N
ratio, did not affect yields similarly since the straw generally requires enrichment prior to
application as a fertilizer (Bangar et al., 1989).
EM 4 enhanced yields of all plots significantly with the exception of those receiving chemical
fertilizer in which case the increase was marginal. This suggested the existence of some
inhibitory influence of chemical fertilizers on the effective microorganisms, which might be
similar to the effect of nitrates on the activity of Rhizobium spp. (Sprent and Sprent, 1990).
This warrants further study.
Application of EM to the soil increased yields of mungbean and sweet potato by
approximately 25 and 14 percent, respectively, in the first season when compared to the
control plots. The increase in yields resulting from EM application to the soil was greater for
mungbean (50%) in subsequent seasons. However, a similar increase was not observed in
sweet potato. This indicated a greater influence of EM on legume crops that have greater
microbial activity related to biological nitrogen fixation in the rhizosphere. Thus, farmers who
do not apply any additives to soils may also benefit from the application of EM alone,
especially on legume crops which are popular in the tropics.
The most significant impact of EM was seen when it was applied with Gliricidia leaves;
Gliricidia has a low C:N ratio. The yield increase in plots supplied with EM and Gliricidia
when compared to that of plots with the green manure alone was 40 percent for mungbean in
the first year. This trend increased in subsequent seasons. A similar phenomenon was seen
with sweet potato, although the magnitude of the increase was lower (i.e., 20 percent in the
first season with a gradual increase in later years).
The application of EM to rice straw during the wet season increased yields of mungbean and
sweet potato by 32 and 20 percent, respectively, when compared with plots that re-ceived
only rice straw (Table 3). The increases in yield were enhanced with time although to a lesser
degree than when EM was applied with Gliricidia leaves. This indicates the benefits of
applying EM to organic systems to enhance yields, although the magnitude of benefits may
vary with the type of manure used.
Table 4 shows that the yields of bush bean and tomato were increased with the application of
EM in the dry season. The beneficial effect of EM was again greatest when applied with
Gliricidia leaves and confirmed the suitability of this green manure for organic systems. The
effect of EM with rice straw showed lesser yield increases with both species. The percentage
yield increase as a result of EM addition was also enhanced with time during this season.
Application of EM with Gliricidia leaves increased yields of beans from 27 percent in the first
dry season to 45 percent in 1993. The increase in tomato yields with time, resulting from EM
application with Gliricidia leaves, was 21 percent in 1991 and 36 percent in 1993. EM with
rice straw also produced similar results although the magnitude of yield increases were lower
for both species. These results again indicated the greater beneficial effect of EM with legume
crops when combined with suitable organic matter. However, application of EM with
chemical fertilizers had no effect on yields of either species.
Table 4. Yield of Bush Bean and Tomato as Affected by Organic
Amendments, Chemical Fertilizer and EM during Three dry Seasons
(1991, 1992 and 1993).
Bush Bean
Anendnent LM
Applied
Year
1
Year
Z
Year3

(g/
nZ)
(g/
nZ)
(g/
nZ)
Gliricidia leaves Yes 65 74 83

No 51 53 57
Rice straw Yes 4Z 48 53

No 36 39 40
Chenical Iertilizer Yes 116 14Z 138

No 118 134 13Z
Control Yes 18 Z3 Z7
(No anendnent) No 1Z 11 14
L5D (P=0.05) Anendne
nt
Z0.5 16.3 9.Z

LM
Applied
4.6 3.9 1.8

lnteractio
n
* * *
Tomato
Anendnent LM
Applied
Year
1
Year
Z
Year3

(g/
nZ)
(g/
nZ)
(g/
nZ)
Gliricidia leaves Yes 1536 1581 177Z

No 1Z68 1Z61 1304
Rice straw Yes 113Z 1318 1460

No 968 1051 109Z
Chenical Iertilizer Yes 1941 ZZ14 Z180

No Z131 Z138 Z196
Control Yes 758 741 784
(No anendnent) No 711 7Z3 704
L5D (P=0.05) Anendne
nt
54.7 39.Z 70.5

LM
Applied
11.8 9.3 40.8

lnteractio
n
* * *
A comparison of the yield increases as a result of EM application in both seasons showed a
greater beneficial effect in the wet season which provided abundant moisture for microbial
activity in the soil. The warm temperatures with lower rainfall might reduce the activity of
EM. Thus, the supply of irrigation water might provide a more suitable environment in the
dry season but this aspect requires further study.
Analysis of the physical properties of the soil (Table 2) illustrated some causal factors for the
beneficial effects of EM. The bulk density of plots with no additives increased with time but
with no significant change in water-holding capacity. This detrimental effect could be a factor
in the lower yields of these plots especially when cropped without fertilizers.
Application of organic matter alone increased the water-holding capacity over the three years
and reduced bulk density. The impact of Gliricidia leaves was greater than rice straw.
Application of EM enhanced the beneficial effects in all plots. The impact of EM was most
prominent when added to plots with Gliricidia leaves as the organic amendment. The
detrimental changes to the measured soil parameters were less evident when EM was applied
to the control plots or to those supplied with inorganic fertilizer. Thus, the observed increases
in yield were again related to this phenomenon although there could have been other changes in
the soil chemical and biological properties which warrant further investigation.
Conclusions
Organic farming is generally associated with low yields; conventional systems using
agrichemicals produce higher yields from similar land areas (Fageria, 1992). This phenomenon
was apparent in this study which was conducted over a three-year period. However,
continued use of organic matter increased yields in both seasons.
EM technology enhances productivity of organic systems (Higa, 1991) by changing the plant
rhizosphere into more conducive conditions for supporting plant growth. Thus, application of
suitable concentrations of EM provide better conditions for crop growth in organic systems.
The benefits become clear over time with changes in the rhizosphere.
Application of EM alone does not provide significant benefits. Thus, EM should be applied
with a suitable organic amendment as in all nature farming systems. The selection of the
organic amendment is important and material with a low C:N ratio increases the efficacy of
EM because it provides readily available carbon for growth and activity of microorganisms
which, in turn, enhances the release of greater quantities of plant nutrients with minimal loss
(Higa, 1991). However, this study further illustrates that EM has the capacity to improve the
physical properties of the rhizosphere. Similar changes in the chemical and biological
properties also require study. The influence of EM was greater in the wet seasons. This
indicates that an adequate amount of soil moisture must be maintained to achieve maximum
effectiveness of the mixed cultures of beneficial microorganisms provided by EM. Irrigation in
the dry season might provide similar results.
Smallholder farming systems in the developing world and home gardeners worldwide use
organic amendments to improve soil fertility and productivity (Pendleton and Lawson, 1989).
The productivity patterns of these systems are generally characterized by low yields although
different types of organic matter may be added. This phenomenon is also true of commercial
organic farms. As was shown in this study, the technology of Effective Micro-organisms
(EM) offers a method for significantly improving the productivity of organic systems on a
sustainable basis under rainfed conditions. Even though all of the causal mechanisms are not
known, the technology of EM can provide a more meaningful direction to organic farming
systems by enhancing and maintaining productivity over time.
Acknowledgments
Gratitude is expressed to Messrs. N. Galahitiyawa and S. Butawatte for technical assistance.
Mr. E. Piyadasa provided technical support for the soil analyses. The experimental program
was supported by the International Nature Farming Research Center, Atami, Japan.
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