Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
The photosynthetic bacteria can, yes, photosynthesize. They can actually fix both nitro-
gen and carbon from the atmosphere. While all of the microbes in EM are important, these
guys are considered by Dr. Higa to be the “heart of effectiveness” of the group. They sup-
ply amino acids, nucleic acids, sugars, and other bioactive substances, some of which they
feed to the others. They break down lignins and even decompose toxins and convert them
into nutrients.
More important than all of this is how they work together and provide for each other to
contribute a host of benefits to our gardens. They create an abundance of antioxidants,
controlled breakdown of organic matter, and according to some people, an extremely pos-
itive energy force. Really, I think of them as providing all of the same benefits as the other
beneficial microbes I hope to house in my garden, but they just happen to be exceptionally
good at it when they get together. Take any of them out or even change the proportions in
the mix too much, and you no longer have EM or the same benefits.
EM was originally developed and used in agriculture where it was found to improve
compost and soil organic matter breakdown. It was even found to have a beneficial effect
on other microbes in the soil, coaxing them to get to work. It isn't as well known in the
United States or Canada yet, but it's used in over 150 other countries and there have been
thousands of trials showing its effectiveness.
After its value was seen in soil and composting, EM started to be used in other areas
with astounding results. It has helped plants beat diseases such as Botrytis, insects such as
weevils and other stressors. Like compost tea, it's not a pesticide and can't be marketed as
such. It simply creates health in the plant and helps to outcompete predators. It also helps
crops achieve higher brix and longer storage. One study sticks in my mind because a 50%
increase in yield was obtained just with EM.
It's also been found to have uses with animals. Initially with livestock, they found it
helps to control odors, diseases and insects when sprayed in the air and on the animals in
barns. It also acts as a probiotic for animals as part of their water and feed.
It cleans polluted water and can actually make dirty water drinkable. It has been used to
clean up part of the ocean in a bay in Japan. If you go on the Internet, you can find pic-
tures of groups of Japanese people standing by rivers, all dumping their EM into the river
to clean it up. It is also used to clean septic systems and sewers, where it reduces odors,
toxic gases, sludge, pathogens, nitrates and phosphates and ties up heavy metals. If you
have a pond, you should spray it with EM to get the microbes in there and even control
mosquitoes.
Of course, it wasn't long before humans tried drinking it. In my opinion, it's probably
one of the best probiotics in the world. Not only have I been using it myself for many
years, but when I used to sell it, I had many clients get amazing health benefits from tak-
ing it — even people with irritable bowel syndrome and other digestive issues. When I
look at some of the other probiotics on the market, I see many of them have most of the
