122:, Japan. He stated in the 1980s that a combination of approximately 80 different microorganisms was capable of positively influencing decomposing organic matter such that it reverts into a "life-promoting" process. Higa invoked a "dominance principle" to explain the asserted effects of his "Effective Microorganisms". He claimed that three groups of microorganisms exist: "positive microorganisms" (regeneration), "negative microorganisms" (decomposition, degeneration), "opportunist microorganisms" (regeneration or degeneration). Higa stated that in every medium (soil, water, air, the human intestine), the ratio of "positive" and "negative" microorganisms was critical since the synergistic symbiotic microorganisms followed the trend to regeneration or degeneration. Therefore, he claimed that it was possible to positively influence the given media by supplementing with beneficial microorganisms.
245:
Pit additives used for improving the performance of sanitation systems do not work, because "the quantity of bacteria introduced to the pit by dosing additives is insignificant compared to the number already present in the faecal sludge. Similarly, while some additives operate on the logic of adding
141:
and crop growth, not distinguishing the effects of the microorganisms in the EM treatments from the effect of the EM nutrient solution in the carrier substrate. The resulting effects on crop growth depend nonspecifically upon multiple factors, including effects of the introduced EM nutrient solution
149:
The effectiveness of ″Effective
Microorganisms (EM)″ was investigated scientifically in an organic farming field experiment between 2003 and 2006 at Zürich, Switzerland, differentiating the effects of the EM microorganisms from the effects of the EM nutrient solution in the carrier substrate of the
97:
In his presentational essay "EM: A Holistic
Technology For Humankind", Higa states:"I developed a mixture of microbes, using the very common species found in all environments as extensively used in the food industry–namely Lactic Acid Bacteria, Photosynthetic Bacteria an Yeasts (..) EM (..) was
53:
to investigate these additives have come to the conclusion that long-term beneficial effects are not proven. Studies have stated that effective microorganisms (EM-A, EM-Bokashi) show no effect on yield and soil microbiology in field experiments as bio-fertilizer in organic farming.
202:
organic kitchen waste. Treatments with EM-Bokashi show no effects on soil microbiology or as bio-fertilizer which are caused by the EM microorganisms. Observed effects relate to the effect of the nutrition rich compost carrier substrate of the EM-Bokashi preparation. Natural
173:, lime and soil after each deposit of fecal matter. Two inoculants were tested—sauerkraut juice (pickled sour cabbage) and commercial EM. The combination of charcoal and inoculant was very effective in suppressing odors and stabilizing the material. EM had no advantage over
150:
EM treatments. "The experiment was arranged to separate the effect of the microorganisms in the EM treatments (EM-Bokashi and EM-A) from its substrate (sterilized treatments)." EM microorganisms showed no effect on yield and soil microbiology as bio-fertilizer in
246:
more nutrients to the sludge to feed bacteria and encourage their growth, faecal sludge is already rich in nutrients." With regards to this situation, effective microorganisms is used for treating polluted waterways caused by faecal sludge and even
130:
The concept has been challenged and no scientific studies support its main claims. This was acknowledged by Higa in a 1994 paper co-authored by Higa and soil microbiologist James F Parr. They conclude "
666:
Daiss, N.; Lobo, M. G.; Socorro, A. R.; Brückner, U.; Heller, J.; Gonzalez, M. (2007). "The effect of three organic pre-harvest treatments on Swiss chard (Beta vulgaris L. Var. Cycla L.) quality".
218:
city council, New
Zealand, 4-13-year-old students were invited to "learn the science behind reducing and utilising organic waste as a resource by turning it into natural fertilisers", using EM in
767:
154:. Observed effects related to the effect of the nutrition rich carrier substrate of the EM preparations. "Hence 'Effective Microorganisms' will not be able to improve yields and
631:
Xu, H. L.; Wang, R.; Mridha, M. A. U. (2001). "Effects of
Organic Fertilizers and a Microbial Inoculant on Leaf Photosynthesis and Fruit Yield and Quality of Tomato Plants".
920:
864:
938:
184:
to investigate additives based on EM, any claims made by manufacturers regarding long-term beneficial effects need to be evaluated in the intended conditions.
739:
Mayer, J.; Scheid, S.; Widmer, F.; Fließbach, A.; Oberholzer (2010). ""Effective microorganisms® (EM)"? Results from a field study in temperate climate".
468:
561:
Pei-Sheng, Y.; Hui-Lian, X. (2002). "Influence of EM Bokashi on
Nodulation, Physiological Characters and Yield of Peanut in Nature Farming Fields".
137:
Various experimenters have examined the use of EM in making organic fertilizers and investigated the effects of the fermented organic fertilizer on
49:, septic tanks and wastewater treatment plants, are also based on EM. Despite the claims made by manufacturers, available studies which have used
312:
768:"Terra Preta sanitation: re-discovered from an ancient Amazonian civilisation – integrating sanitation, bio-waste management and agriculture"
800:
701:
Daiss, N; Lobo, M. G.; Gonzalez, M (2008). "Changes in postharvest quality of Swiss chard grown using 3 organic preharvest treatments".
398:
596:
Xu, H. L. (2001). "Effects of a
Microbial Inoculant and Organic Fertilizers on the Growth, Photosynthesis and Yield of Sweet Corn".
444:
242:
to investigate applications of wastewater additives have come to the conclusion that long-term beneficial effects are not proven.
526:
Yamada, K.; Xu, H. L. (2001). "Properties and
Applications of an Organic Fertilizer Inoculated with Effective Microorganisms".
371:"Effects of 'Effective Microorganisms EM' on plant and microbiological parameters in a field experiment, Zürich, Switzerland"
946:
430:"Effective Microorganisms (EM) and Wastewater Systems in Future Directions for On-site Systems: Best Management Practice."
79:
115:
986:
87:
62:
One trademarked product was originally (c. 1985) marketed as EM-1 Microbial
Inoculant. Such EM blends include:
476:
146:, and indirect effects of microbially-synthesized metabolites (e.g., phytohormones and growth regulators).
251:
225:
In India, effective microorganisms have been used in an attempt to treat some sewage-polluted lakes in
353:. Water Research Commission, University of Kwazulu-Natal, Partners in Development (PiD), South Africa.
429:
281:
233:
66:
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320:
93:
Others: beneficial microorganisms that exist naturally in the environment may thrive in the mixture.
71:
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543:
286:
219:
194:
162:
119:
24:
792:
718:
440:
239:
181:
143:
50:
825:"Make your own FREE bokashi starter", "Newspaper Bokashi", "Yogurt whey as a starter culture"
782:
748:
710:
675:
640:
605:
570:
535:
207:, or sauerkraut juice (pickled sour cabbage) can be successfully substituted for commercial
766:
Factura, H.; Bettendorf, T.; Buzie, C.; Pieplow, H.; Reckin, J.; Otterpohl, R. (May 2010).
406:
348:
151:
838:
138:
132:
the main limitation...is the problem of reproducibility and lack of consistent results.
980:
714:
501:
Beneficial and
Effective Microorganisms for a Sustainable Agriculture and Environment
370:
107:
687:
652:
617:
582:
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161:
In a study (2010), Factura et al. collected human fecal matter in airtight buckets (
247:
215:
199:
155:
38:
752:
369:
Mayer, J.; Scheid, S.; Widmer, F.; Fließbach, A.; Oberholzer, H.-R. (2003–2006).
46:
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174:
166:
111:
42:
890:
236:, effective microorganisms were used in an attempt to treat polluted water.
226:
796:
722:
644:
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507:. Atami, Japan: International Nature Farming Research Center. p. 7
499:
170:
204:
439:. Armidale, NSW, Australia: Lanfax Laboratories. pp. 347–354.
180:
Due to the fact that only very few studies exist which have used
110:
concept of "friendly microorganisms" was developed by professor
27:
microorganisms in a carbohydrate-rich liquid carrier substrate (
284:
of Em
Research Organization, Inc., Uruma City, Okinawa, Japan.
921:"Micro bugs may help in restoring our embattled water bodies"
254:, to disinfect and consume sludge and disinfect water.
198:, invented and marketed by Higa, uses commercial EM to
843:
SUSTAINABLE SANITATION AND WATER MANAGEMENT TOOLBOX
144:
microorganism-rich bio-organic fraction in the soil
158:in mid term (3 years) in organic arable farming."
222:for home kitchen waste at the EcoDepot/EcoDrop.
837:Spuhler, Dorothee; Gensch, Robert; et al.
827:, 12 September 2008. Retrieved 7 November 2013.
364:
362:
360:
142:with microorganisms, effects of the naturally
23:) are various blends of common predominantly
8:
378:9. Wissenschaftstagung Ökologischer Landbau
319:. EM Research Organization. Archived from
786:
469:"EM: A Holistic Technology For Humankind"
734:
732:
498:Higa, Dr. Teruo; Dr. James Parr (1994).
435:. In R.A. and Jones, M.J. (Eds). (ed.).
41:" used for improving the performance of
428:Szymanski, N.; Patterson, R.A. (2003).
342:
340:
338:
263:
169:) over several weeks, adding a mix of
891:"A Guide to Effective Microorganisms"
668:European Food Research and Technology
437:Proceedings of On-site '03 Conference
7:
939:"EM balls produced by royal project"
563:Journal of Sustainable Agriculture
14:
945:. 2 November 2011. Archived from
715:10.1111/j.1750-3841.2008.00842.x
475:. TeraGanix, Inc. Archived from
775:Water Science & Technology
33:EM Research Organization, Inc.
1:
214:In a community course of the
865:"Fertilising for the Future"
845:. SSWM, seecon international
753:10.1016/j.apsoil.2010.08.007
98:developed by accident (..)"
968:Throwing Mud at Flood Water
900:. Christchurch City Council
871:. Christchurch City Council
347:Foxon, K; Still, D (2012).
1003:
633:Journal of Crop Production
598:Journal of Crop Production
528:Journal of Crop Production
287:"EFFECTIVE MICROORGANISMS"
80:Rhodopseudomonas palustris
680:10.1007/s00217-006-0543-2
291:trademarkencyclopedia.com
116:University of the Ryukyus
77:Photosynthetic bacteria:
839:"Terra Preta Sanitation"
271:Effective Microorganisms
88:Saccharomyces cerevisiae
17:Effective microorganisms
703:Journal of Food Science
37:Many of the so-called "
405:. 2011. Archived from
399:"Trademark Guidelines"
350:Do pit additives work?
234:Bangkok floods of 2011
31:nutrient solution) of
645:10.1300/J144v03n01_15
610:10.1300/J144v03n01_16
575:10.1300/J064v19n04_10
540:10.1300/J144v03n01_21
250:, usually mixed with
58:Possible constituents
806:on 16 September 2016
788:10.2166/wst.2010.201
741:Applied Soil Ecology
67:Lactic acid bacteria
898:envismadrasuniv.org
72:Lactobacillus casei
409:on 1 November 2011
323:on 8 December 2015
240:Scientific methods
220:Bokashi composting
182:scientific methods
51:scientific methods
313:"Global Partners"
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252:bokashi mudballs
175:sauerkraut juice
108:pseudoscientific
45:systems, namely
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152:organic farming
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459:
445:
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293:. Advameg, Inc
262:
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139:soil fertility
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473:teraganix.com
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467:Higa, Teruo.
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39:pit additives
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477:the original
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321:the original
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248:animal urine
244:
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231:
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216:Christchurch
213:
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191:
188:Applications
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156:soil quality
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47:pit latrines
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904:27 November
875:27 November
869:ccc.govt.nz
639:: 173–182.
604:: 183–214.
534:: 255–268.
483:27 November
452:14 November
413:13 November
327:27 November
297:27 November
114:, from the
943:The Nation
282:trademarks
258:References
232:After the
229:in 2015.
209:EM-bokashi
167:dry toilet
126:Validation
112:Teruo Higa
102:Background
43:sanitation
925:The Hindu
849:25 August
810:25 August
511:14 August
383:21 August
227:Bangalore
25:anaerobic
981:Category
797:20453341
723:19241576
688:56371177
653:85678704
618:83911431
583:84719846
548:73574288
280:are the
29:molasses
953:12 July
200:ferment
195:Bokashi
171:biochar
163:Bokashi
120:Okinawa
85:Yeast:
795:
721:
686:
651:
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581:
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443:
211:bran.
205:yogurt
894:(PDF)
804:(PDF)
771:(PDF)
684:S2CID
649:S2CID
614:S2CID
579:S2CID
544:S2CID
505:(PDF)
433:(PDF)
374:(PDF)
955:2014
906:2015
877:2015
851:2016
812:2016
793:PMID
719:PMID
513:2016
485:2015
454:2006
441:ISBN
415:2011
385:2016
329:2015
299:2015
278:EM・1
276:and
106:The
783:doi
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