Increase Crop Yields: Effective Microorganisms

Pro-soil is interested in helping farmers increase crop yield. Our healthy soil products and an increased knowledge about effective microorganisms and their role can help accomplish this goal. Read on to find out more.

The  concept   of  Effective  Microor­ganisms  (EM) was  developed  by Profes­ sor  Teruo  Higa,  University  of  the Ryukyus,   Okinawa,  Japan.  EM consists of  mixed  cultures  of  beneficial  and naturally-occurring  microorganisms that can  be  applied  as  inoculants  to  increase the   microbial    diversity    of   soils   and plants.  Research has shown that the in­ oculation of EM cultures  to the soil/plant ecosystem can improve soil quality, soil health, and the growth,  yield, and quality of crops.

EM contains selected species of mi­ croorganisms including predominant populations  of lactic acid bacteria and yeasts, and smaller numbers of photo­ synthetic    bacteria,    actinomycetes    and other types of organisms.  All of these are mutually compatible   with  one   another and can coexist in liquid culture.

EM is not a substitute for other man­agement practices. It is, however, an added dimension   for  optimizing   our  best  soil and  crop  management   practices  such  as crop   rotations,    use   of  organic   amend­ ments,  conservation tillage,  crop residue recycling, and biocontrol of pests. If used properly, EM can significantly enhance the beneficial  effects of  these  practices.

Throughout  the discussion which fol­ lows, we  will use the term “beneficial mi­ croorganisms”  in a general way  to d esig­ nate a large group  of often unknown or ill­ defined microorganisms that interact fa­ vorably in soils and with plants to render beneficial effects which are sometimes dif­ ficult  to  predict.   We  use  the  term “Effective Microorganisms” or EM to de­ note specific mixed  cultures of known, beneficial  microorganisms   that  are being used effectively as microbial inoculants.

Our products improve soil health by stimulating and feeding native microbial life in the soil which creates a higher yielding crop. To learn more about how you can increase your crop yield, contact us today!