Interactive Effects of Microbial Fertilizer and Soil Salinity on the Hydraulic Properties of Salt-Affected Soil

Significant research has been conducted on the effects of fertilizers or agents on the sustainable development of agriculture in salinization areas. By contrast, limited consideration has been given to the interactive effects of microbial fertilizer (MF) and salinity on hydraulic properties in secondary salinization soil (SS) and coastal saline soil (CS). An incubation experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of saline soil types, salinity levels (non-saline, low-salinity, and high-salinity soils), and MF amounts (32.89 g kg-1 and 0 g kg-1) on soil hydraulic properties. Applied MF improved soil water holding capacity in each saline soil compared with that in CK, and SS was higher than CS. Applied MF increased saturated moisture, field capacity, capillary fracture moisture, the wilting coefficient, and the hygroscopic coefficient by 0.02-18.91% in SS, while it was increased by 11.62-181.88% in CS. It increased soil water supply capacity in SS (except for high-salinity soil) and CS by 0.02-14.53% and 0.04-2.34%, respectively, compared with that in CK. Soil available, readily available, and unavailable water were positively correlated with MF, while soil gravity and readily available and unavailable water were positively correlated with salinity in SS. Therefore, a potential fertilization program with MF should be developed to increase hydraulic properties or mitigate the adverse effects of salinity on plants in similar SS or CS areas.

Degradation of a mixture of 13 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons by commercial effective microorganisms

The study focused on the contribution of effective microorganisms (EM) and their consortia, used in commercial biological preparations and formulations for soil revitalization, to the degradation of a mixture of 13 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) commonly found in the soil environment. PAHs, diverse forms of which are present in the environment, never occur individually but always as a part of a chemical mixture. Therefore, the research presented in this article, focusing on the EM impact on the mixture of PAHs, reflects the conditions most similar to natural ones. On Day 35 of the experiment, PAH levels decreased by 75.5-95.5%. The highest PAHs degradation efficiency was achieved for fluorene, with a preparation containing eight bacteria strains from the Bacillus genus: B. coagulans, B. amyloliquefaciens, B. laterosporus, B. licheniformis, B. mucilaginosus, B. megaterium, B. polymyxa, and B. pumilus. All tested preparations containing bacterial consortia and a preparation with the yeast S. cerevisiae intensified the PAHs degradation more effectively than formulations including only the yeast Yarrowia lipolytica or a mixture of Debaryomyces hansenii and Bacillus. The designed and proposed research will contribute to the development of biotechnological methods - bioremediation by microorganisms that are safe for the human and environment health.

Replacing Concentrate with Yeast- or EM-Fermented Cassava Peel (YFCP or EMFCP): Effects on the Feed Intake, Feed Digestibility, Rumen Fermentation, and Growth Performance of Goats

The goal of this study was to improve the nutritional value of cassava peel by using yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) or effective microorganisms (EM), then use it as a replacement for concentrate, and examine the effects on the feed intake, feed digestibility, rumen fermentation, and growth performance of goats. The experimental design was a randomized complete block design (RCBD), and the dietary treatments were (1) concentrate, (2) replacement of the concentrate by yeast-fermented cassava peel (YFCP) at 50% and (3) replacement of the concentrate by EM-fermented cassava peel (EMFCP) at 50%. Twelve goats were given concentrate based on their treatments at a rate of 1.5% of their body weight. Rice straw was used as roughage and fed freely. It was found that the crude protein (CP) content of the cassava peel from 2.1% to 13.7-13.8% after 14 days of fermentation. Moreover, there were no significant differences between the treatments in terms of the feed intake, feed digestibility, ruminal pH, blood urea nitrogen concentration, volatile fatty acid profile, overall average daily gain, and feed efficiency. However, the cost of the feed per gain decreased when the YFCP or EMFCP was used instead of the concentrate. Based on the results of this experiment, it was possible to conclude that yeast or EM might be utilized as microorganisms to increase the nutritional value of cassava peel. Moreover, YFCP or EMFCP can replace concentrate by up to 50% without an impact on the feed intake, feed digestibility, rumen fermentation characteristics, and the growth performance; whereas, it can reduce the feed cost per gain up to 32%.

Effective Microorganisms and Glass Nanopowders from Waste Bottle Inclusion on Early Strength and Microstructure Properties of High-Volume Fly-Ash-Based Concrete

In concrete production, the use of high-volume fly ash (FA) as the cement substitute became interesting to achieve more sustainable and eco-friendly construction materials. However, concrete produced using high volumes of FA as cement substitute suffers from various limitations such as low strength at early ages. Considering the engineering solutions and economy of FA-included concrete, it has become vital to address such issues. In this perception, some concrete mixes were designed using more abundant and low-cost local waste materials such as waste glass bottle nanopowders (WGBNPs) and effective microorganisms (EMs) to determine the feasibility of compensating for the strength loss at early ages due to FA inclusion. The proposed mixes contained 10% of EMs as water replacement, 50% of FA, and various percentages of WGBNPs as cement replacement. The effects of EMs and WGBNPs inclusion on the early strength and microstructure properties of the produced FA-based concrete mixes were determined. The results show that the strength indexes of the concrete at all test ages were improved due to WGBNP and EM incorporation. At almost all curing ages, the mechanical performance of the concrete made with 10% EMs and 4% WGBNPs was comparable to that of normal concrete (control mix), wherein the mix containing 6% WGBNPs outperformed the control mix. The microstructure analysis of the studied mixes revealed an increase in the hydration products, structural compactness, and homogeneity due to the synergy of WGBNPs and EMs, especially the specimen made using 10% EMs and 6% WGBNPs. It is established that the proper utilization of EMs and WGBNPs in FA-based concrete can be beneficial for waste recycling and landfill problems, thus lowering environment pollution.

Influence of Effective Microorganisms on Some Biological and Biochemical Aspects of Spodoptera littoralis (Boisduval) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)

The cotton leafworm, Spodoptera littoralis (Bosid.), is a major pest in African and Asian nations that attacks a wide variety of host plants. This study was conducted to assess the effectiveness of effective microorganisms (EMs) on the biological and physiological features of S. littoralis larvae. Five concentrations (100, 200, 300, 400, and 500 ppm) of EMs were tested. Antifeedant activity, food consumption index, the efficiency of converting digested food, the efficiency of converting ingested food, relative growth rate, and approximate body tissue of the fourth larval instar of S. littoralis were determined. Moreover, carbohydrate enzyme activities (amylase, trehalose, and invertase), total protein, and total lipids of S. littoralis larvae were measured to elucidate the mode of action of the tested agent in the S. littoralis’s larval stage. The EMs at 500 ppm had a substantial impact on antifeedant activity, nutritional indices, egg deposit reduction, and hatchability in S. littoralis during the five days. All concentrations interrupted S. littoralis’s life cycle and developmental phases. Furthermore, all concentrations were quite useful in lengthening the developmental stages of S. littoralis. In addition, Ems affected the biochemical activities of larvae, leading to disturbances in carbohydrate, lipid, and protein levels. From this study, EMs can be used as a bioinsecticide alternative to traditional insecticides against S. littoralis and may be compatible with integrated pest management approaches.

Effect of Three Commercial Formulations Containing Effective Microorganisms (EM) on Diflufenican and Flurochloridone Degradation in Soil

The aim of this study was to determine the influence of effective microorganisms (EM) present in biological formulations improving soil quality on degradation of two herbicides, diflufenican and flurochloridone. Three commercially available formulations containing EM were used: a formulation containing Bifidobacterium, Lactobacillus, Lactococcus, Streptococcus, Bacillus, and Rhodopseudomonas bacteria and the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae; a formulation containing Streptomyces, Pseudomonas, Bacillus, Rhodococcus, Cellulomonas, Arthrobacter, Paenibacillusa, and Pseudonocardia bacteria; and a formulation containing eight strains of Bacillus bacteria, B. megaterium, B. amyloliquefaciens, B. pumilus, B. licheniformis, B. coagulans, B. laterosporus, B. mucilaginosus, and B. polymyxa. It was demonstrated that those formulations influenced degradation of herbicides. All studied formulations containing EM reduced the diflufenican degradation level, from 35.5% to 38%, due to an increased acidity of the soil environment and increased durability of that substance at lower pH levels. In the case of flurochloridone, all studied EM formulations increased degradation of that active substance by 19.3% to 31.2% at the most. For control samples, equations describing kinetics of diflufenican and flurochloridone elimination were plotted, and a time of the half-life of these substances in laboratory conditions was calculated, amounting to 25.7 for diflufenican and 22.4 for flurochloridone.

Experimental Evaluation of Industrial Mushroom Waste Substrate Using Hybrid Mechanism of Vermicomposting and Effective Microorganisms

Mushroom waste substrates are highly resistant lignocellulosic wastes that are commercially produced by industries after harvesting. These wastes produce large environmental challenges regarding disposal and, thus, require treatment facilities. In the present article, the effect of Eisenia-fetida-based vermicomposting and an effective microorganism solution on the mushroom waste substrate were investigated using four different composting mixtures: mushroom waste [MW] substrate composting with effective microorganisms [MW+EM], raw mushroom waste [RWM] substrate composting with effective microorganisms [RMW+EM], mushroom waste substrate composting with vermicomposting and effective microorganisms [MW+V+EM], and raw mushroom waste substrate composting with vermicomposting and effective microorganisms [RWM+V+EM]. This article discusses the structural and physiochemical changes at four samples for 45 days (almost six weeks) of composting. The physical and chemical parameters were monitored during composting and provided information on the duration of the process. The results indicated pH (7.2~8), NPK value (0.9~1.8), and C:N ratio <14, and heavy metals exhibited a decreasing trend in later stages for all sets of compost materials and showed the maturity level. FTIR spectra revealed that all four samples included peaks for the -OH (hydroxy group) ranging from 3780 to 3500 cm−1 and a ridge indicating the C=C (alkenyl bond) ranging from 1650 to 1620 cm−1 in compost. The X-ray diffraction spectrum clearly shows how earthworms and microbes break down molecules into cellulose compounds, and the average crystallinity size using Scherrer’s equation was found to be between 69.82 and 93.13 nm. Based on the experimental analysis, [RWM+V+EM] accelerated the breakdown of organic matter and showed improvement compared with other composts in compostable materials, thus, emphasizing the critical nature of long-term mushroom waste management and treatment.

Effective Microorganisms (EM) Improve Internal Organ Morphology, Intestinal Morphometry and Serum Biochemical Activity in Japanese Quails under Clostridium perfringens Challenge

The effect of effective microorganisms (EM) on internal organ morphology, intestinal morphometry, and serum biochemical activity in Japanese quails under Clostridium perfringens challenge was determined. After 30 days of EM addition, one group of quails was orally inoculated with Clostridium perfringens. The second group did not receive EM and was inoculated with C. perfringens. In the gut, EM supplementation reduced the number of lesions, enhanced gut health, and protected the mucosa from pathogenic bacteria. EM showed an anti-inflammatory effect and fewer necrotic lesions in villi. In the internal organs, EM showed a protective effect against a typical lesion of C. perfringens infection. Necrosis and degeneration of the hepatocytes, necrosis of bile ducts, and bile duct proliferation were more severe in the infected group without EM. Morphometric evaluation showed significantly higher villi in the jejunum after EM addition. A greater crypt depth was observed in the C. perfringens group. Biochemical analysis of the blood indicated lower cholesterol on the 12th day of the experiment and between-group differences in total protein, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), and albumin levels in the EM group. Further studies are needed to improve EM activity against pathologic bacteria as a potential alternative to antibiotics and to develop future natural production systems.

A study on the effectiveness of a defined microbial consortium to enhance the microbiological safety of cattle manure

BACKGROUND

Animal manure frequently harbors pathogenic microorganisms such as Salmonella spp. and diarrheagenic Escherichia coli. A defined microbial consortium such as effective microorganisms (EM) can potentially be used as a biocontrol against manure-borne human pathogens such as Salmonella and pathogenic E. coli. The objective of the study was to investigate the efficacy of EM to decontaminate cattle manure.

RESULTS

EM was first characterized by enumeration and identification of lactic acid bacteria (LAB), yeasts, actinomycetes and phototrophic bacteria (PB). The population density of LAB, yeasts, actinomycetes and presumptive PB was 6.9, 5.2, 5.9 and 3.9 log CFU g^-1 respectively. LAB and yeast isolates were molecularly confirmed as Lactobacillus plantarum and L. casei (LAB) and Yarrowia lipolytica, Rhodotorula mucilaginosa and Picha manshurica (yeasts) respectively. Culture-independent molecular analysis revealed the presence of additional species including L. parabuchneri and Enterococcus faecium (LAB) and bacterial spore-formers Bacillus cereus and Clostridium spp. Application of EM to fresh cattle manure, inoculated with ~5-6 log CFU g^-1 of antibiotic-resistant strain of indicator organism E. coli ATCC 25922, resulted in complete elimination of the organism in 20 days, while survivors were still detected in the untreated counterpart.

CONCLUSION

EM can potentially be used for sustainable pathogen control in cattle manure for enhanced food safety and environmental health. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry.

Study on the Identification Methods for Effective Microorganisms in Commercially Available Organic Agriculture Materials

The identification of microorganisms in closely related groups is challenging. The present work focused on the different molecular methodology for the accurate microbial identification in the five commercially available organic agriculture materials enriched with effective microorganisms. From the tested five organic agricultural materials, a total of seven distinct bacterial colonies (A-1, B-1, C-1, D-1, E-1, E-2, and E-3) were isolated and processed for sequential identification utilizing HiCrome™ Bacillus agar, biochemical tests with API CHB50, 16S rRNA gene analysis, random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD), and species-specific PCR analysis. All the isolated microorganisms were Gram-positive rods and spore former belonging to Bacillus group and appeared as a differential characteristic feature on HiCrome™ Bacillus agar. All isolates showed high-percentage similarities with the different members of Bacillus species in biochemical testing and 16S rRNA gene analysis. The collective identification results revealed isolates, A-1, B-1, and C-1, close to B. velezensis. Further RAPD-PCR and species-specific PCR discriminated and provided confirmatory evidence for D-1 as B. thuringiensis and E-1, E-2, and E-3 as B. licheniformis, respectively. In addition, presence of B. thuringiensis was also confirmed by toxin crystal protein staining. In conclusion, the species-specific primers could be used as a rapid and accurate identification tool to discriminate closely related Bacillus species such as B. subtilis, B. licheniformis, and B. thuringiensis.

Effect of probiotic preparations (EM) on productive characteristics, carcass composition, and microbial contamination in a commercial broiler chicken farm

This experiment evaluated the effect of Pro-Biotyk (Em-15) and EMFarma™ probiotics on body weight, feed intake and conversion, carcass traits, and microbial contamination in a poultry house. The probiotic preparations caused a nonsignificant increase in body weight (42 days), feed intake, and feed conversion ratio (1-42 days) and a nonsignificant decrease in chicken mortality from 4 weeks of rearing. Chickens exposed to probiotics did not differ significantly in preslaughter body weight, carcass weight, dressing percentage, and the content of carcass components. The carcasses from experimental chickens had a lower percentage of breast muscle, leg muscle, abdominal fat, and neck, as well as a higher percentage of skin with subcutaneous fat, wings, and remainder of carcasses compared with the carcasses from control birds. The probiotic preparations used in this study were highly effective as auxiliary disinfectants.

PSXIV-26 Effect of effective microorganisms (EM®) and milk whey or molasses on in vitro digestibility of corn stover silage

Corn stover (CS) is an agricultural by-product widely used in the ruminant feeding systems, despite its poor nutritional value and digestibility. Although treatments such as alkalinization, pelleting and extruded have been evaluated to improve its digestibility, the use of those treatments is limited. An alternative might be the use of EM (cocktail of mainly lactic bacteria), although there is no information about the optimal dose to improve DM digestibility of CS. On the other hand, there are agroindustrial byproducts such as milk whey and molasses that can be used as energy sources for ensiling. The objective of this study was to evaluate the level of EM® and the type of energy substrate on in vitrodry matter digestibility (IVDMD) and pH of CS silage. Microsilos were elaborated in plastic bottles, which were assigned to a completely randomized design with factorial arrangement 4 (levels: 0, 0.5, 1.0 and 1.5 ml/kg as feed of EM®) × 2 (energy source:milk whey or molasses, 15%), with five repetitions each. Results were analyzed using the GLM procedure of SAS. Orthogonal polynomials were tested to determine linear and quadratic effects of EM® dosis. Interaction of dose × energy source was observed (P < 0.05). The highest IVDMD and lowest pH was observed with addition of 0.5 mL and 1 mL of EM® and milk whey. IVDMD linearly increased and pH was reduced (P < 0.05) with the increasing levels of EM®). It is concluded that addition of EM® at doses of 0.5 to 1 mL / kg DM improved IVDMD and that milk whey is the best source of energy for the ensiling of CS.

Antibiotic activity of the antioxidant drink effective Microorganism-X (EM-X) extracts against common nosocomial pathogens: an in vitro study

EM-X is a mixed consortium of beneficial microorganisms of natural occurrence (lactic bacteria, yeast and photosynthetic bacteria). The aim of this study is to evaluate the antimicrobial activity in-vitro of EM-X to the principal pathogens isolated in clinical settings and to understand if it could be a suitable adjuvant to synthetic antibiotics. According the World Health Organization we performed antimicrobial assays to the main pathogens usually found in hospital wards. After antimicrobial testing, EM-X has been shown to be most effective at a concentration of 40 mg/ml four time concentrated than the commercial original solution (10 mg/ml). The EM-X antimicrobial action, although effective against bacteria, has proved to be ineffective against the candida genus. This active range of concentration (mg/ml) may prove a very weak action of EM, but further investigations will be done to separate the active substances form the inactive ones in this complex mixture.

The influence of plant protection by effective microorganisms on the content of bioactive phytochemicals in apples

BACKGROUND

The phytochemicals of two apple cultivars (Yellow Transparent and Early Geneva) protected in two ways, conventionally with chemical pesticides or by effective microorganisms (EM), were compared. Two types of components were determined: lipids synthesised constitutively and generated via inducible pathways polyphenols along with antioxidant activity and profiles.

RESULTS

The antioxidant activities assessed with ABTS, DPPH and Folin-Ciocalteu reagents were about two-fold higher in the case of microbiologically protected apples. The qualitative composition of phenolics determined by LC-DAD-MS varied between cultivars and the part of apples studied, while the method of protection caused mainly differences in concentration of some groups of polyphenols (hydroxycinnamates, flavanols, dihydrochalcones, flavonols, anthocyanins). The apples from biological cultivation contained about 34-54% more phenolics than these from a conventional orchard. In contrast, lipid composition did not differ significantly between apples originating from conventional and bio-crops.

CONCLUSION

The results indicate that the advantage of using the EM technology in agriculture may not only be the reduction of consumption of chemical fertilisers and synthetic pesticides, but also, at least in the case of apples, may lead to the production of crops with improved health quality due to the higher content of bioactive phytochemicals. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry.