They talk a lot about EM technology, but still not everyone understands the essence of these drugs. In fact, everything is very simple.
What are EM drugs
Many have heard about humus, but not everyone knows what it is and why it is needed. And even more so, how to deal with it. Humus is an organic substance in the soil that contains a complex of organic compounds necessary for the growth and development of plants. It appears as a result of the work of microorganisms. The more of them, the higher the content of humus, the more fertile the soil.
Microorganisms are found in any soil. Somewhere there are more, somewhere less, but they are always and everywhere. Some of them decompose organic residues, others process them into new formations, others loosen the soil, etc. The more diverse the composition, the better.
In the middle lane, most microorganisms die during the long winter. And their number is restored only by August-September. Therefore, special concentrates have been developed that contain the bacteria necessary for the soil. Such drugs are called EM preparations (“EM” means “effective microorganisms”). The bottles contain yeast, bacteria, enzyme fungi. Depending on the manufacturer, the composition and degree of impact on the soil will vary.
How is processing
Preparations are applied to the soil in the spring, in late April - early May (depending on climatic conditions). Microorganisms "wake up" and begin violent activity at temperatures above +15 degrees. As soon as the thermometer drops below, the bacteria begin to hibernate.
First, a working solution is prepared from the concentrate, which will be used to process the soil. It is necessary to carefully study the instructions in order to properly prepare EM preparations with your own hands from concentrates, because each manufacturer has its own way: if something is done wrong, then the microorganisms will die or remain in a dormant state.
After fertilizing, it is necessary to feed the microbes. They use only organic residues as food, for example, last year's tops, grass or foliage, compost, manure will please them.
Planting seedlings and sowing seeds will be possible in a couple of weeks: during this time, the bacteria will grow stronger, evenly distributed in the ground, become part of it and will even have time to improve its quality a little. If you start planting earlier, then it is likely that bacteria will take useful plants for their food. Too high concentrations can also lead to a similar effect.
How do drugs work?
- Soil structure improves.
- The percentage of beneficial microorganisms is increasing.
- The soil becomes healthier; there are no conditions for the development of pathogenic bacteria. Useful microbes destroy harmful ones.
- The resistance of plants to the effects of adverse natural phenomena is increased.
- The mineral composition of soils and, as a result, plant nutrition are improving.
- Increases yield and quality of fruits.
- Plant growth is stimulated: they look healthier and stronger, stems become taller and thicker.
What the result looks like
The revival of the humus layer is noticeable at first sight. Already in 1, maximum 2 summers, the difference will be visible. The soil becomes brighter, darker, and to the touch as if fatter. It is because of the peculiar tone that the fertile lands are called chernozems. Also, the beds become looser and lighter, signs of pelletization appear in the soil.
Is it possible to prepare such drugs on my own
Many people prefer to buy ready-made concentrates in specialized stores. However, there are many recipes for how to cook EM products with your own hands. The most commonly used starter cultures are weeds and hay. The former are improvised materials, and the latter is a source of subtillin. Home EM preparations, of course, are inferior in effectiveness to factory ones, because the set of strains in them is not so diverse. On the other hand, bacteria have already “acclimatized”, so it takes less time to adapt to new conditions.
Herbal infusion
6 buckets of shredded weeds are poured into the barrel, it is advisable to add various medicinal herbs. By the way, they can also grow on the site along with weeds (chamomile, plantain, celandine, etc.). Compost is added there - 2 buckets and ½ buckets of ash. Everything is filled with water. Infused for 2 weeks. The finished mixture can be used as fertilizer. The concentrate must be diluted in a ratio of 1:10.
Top dressing
Do-it-yourself EM preparations begin with a starter culture: warm water is poured into a 3-liter jar, a pinch of yeast and 5 tbsp are added. l Sahara. The solution needs to be allowed to ferment, it takes 2-3 days. Ready mash is poured into a 200-liter barrel, add:
- a shovel of ash (you can use the remaining from burning dry grass);
- ½ bucket of manure;
- a bucket of rotten leaves or straw;
- a shovel of compost or earth from the garden;
- as much sand;
- 1 liter of kefir, whey or yogurt;
- the remaining volume is added with water.
The mixture should be infused for a week. The contents of the barrel should be mixed periodically. Use as top dressing, dilute in a ratio of 1: 2 to 1:10.
Rice water
¼ cup of rice is poured with 1 cup of water. Groats must be thoroughly mixed. When the water becomes whitish, you need to pour it into a separate cup and leave it in a warm room for 5-7 days. After that, it is filtered and milk is added. It should be 10 times more than rice water. The mixture is again infused in a warm place for 5-7 days. The resulting mass (similar to cottage cheese) is removed, and 1 tbsp. Is added to the remaining mixture. l Sahara. The concentrate is ready. For use, it must be diluted in a ratio of 1:20.
Subtillin
You can cook EM products with your own hands, which have similar properties to factory drugs. They are used in a similar fashion. This is an infusion of hay sticks, or subtillin.
To cook it, you need to boil 150 g of fine, but not moldy hay in 1 liter of water, adding 1 tsp to the container. chalk. When boiling, most of the harmful bacteria and fungi die, but hay bacillus spores remain alive. The solution must be placed in a dark, warm place. After three days, a film will appear on the surface. Her spores form sticks. Uterine culture is ready. With its help, you can prepare a solution that will be used for processing and watering plants.
The method of preparation of the working product. On the plot, 1 kg of fresh hay is put in a wide container, it is poured with a bucket of hot water, 10 tablespoons of chalk or lime are added (they reduce the level of acidity) and the uterine culture is poured. The container is cleaned in a dark place and additionally covered to prevent direct sunlight. After 3 days, the working solution is ready, you can process the plants.
What are solutions used for?
The use of EM drugs is not limited to plant nutrition and is applied to the soil. They will be useful for other agricultural purposes.
- Presowing treatment of planting material: spraying potatoes, soaking seeds, etc.
- Plant treatment for disease prevention.
- Tillage for disinfection.
- To speed up compost formation.
- For processing country toilets.
All treatments should be carried out in cloudy but not rainy weather. The fact is that microorganisms quickly die in direct sunlight, and their rains will be washed off into the soil. Also, the street should be warm. The optimum temperature is + 18 ... + 20 degrees. In cold weather, microorganisms hibernate.
Also, many manufacturers advise using diluted concentrates not only in the garden, but also in everyday life. For example, the Vostok EM preparation is recommended for indoor treatment in order to prevent the appearance of an unpleasant odor of dust; it also helps in the fight against house mites. Also suitable for furniture and household appliances.
Industrial production
EM technology was developed at the end of the last century in Japan. Scientist Higa Tera suggested using these drugs to restore soils damaged by chemical treatments with pesticides and fertilizers, as well as depleted as a result of active farming.
Currently, Russia has launched the production of various concentrates containing microorganisms. The most popular became the EM preparations "Radiance", "Baikal", "East", "Renaissance". They are used for various purposes, many manufacturers share means for processing soil, seeds or plants.
Concentrates are produced in the form of dry mixtures, but they are more common in the form of liquids.
EM preparation for irrigation and tillage
Depending on the needs and purpose, industrial concentrates are bred in different proportions. For watering, drugs mixed with water are most often used as follows: 1: 1000 or 1: 500. For autumn and spring tillage, when the beds already or not yet have plants, a higher concentration is needed: 1: 100.
Each preparation has its own preparation method, but, as a rule, only details differ. The main points are similar. However, before use, you must read the instructions and prepare the solution in strict accordance with the manufacturer's recommendations.
All concentrates are diluted in warm water with a temperature of 20-35 degrees. Then a sweet nutrient medium is added to the container. Everything is thoroughly mixed. Sweets are necessary for the adaptation of microorganisms to new conditions. The fact is that for the artificial nutrition of bacteria, molasses, jam or honey are used. To make it easier for them to change habits, it is necessary to add one of these ingredients to the working solution. Typically, the finished mixture is allowed to infuse for several hours, so that the microorganisms finally “wake up” and evenly distributed in the container.
Composition of drugs
The concentrates contain various microorganisms. For example, the drug "EM-1 Baikal" includes 60 strains. All proportions are calculated so that the bacteria do not interfere and do not destroy each other, but make up a stable symbiosis. The main groups of microorganisms that are used in EM preparations:
- Actinomycetes - synthesize antibiotics and improve the condition of the soil.
- Yeast - necessary for the production of antibiotics that suppress harmful microorganisms, and biologically active substances that stimulate the growth and development of plants. Yeast also synthesizes the substrates necessary for the life of lactic acid bacteria.
- Lactic acid bacteria. It is well known to an ordinary resident through advertising of yoghurts and other similar products. Bacteria of this type are engaged in the production of lactic acid, which inhibits the growth and development of harmful bacteria, and also accelerates the decomposition of organics.
- Fermenting mushrooms decompose organic residues and turn them into accessible, easily digestible substances for plants.
- Photosynthetic bacteria. This type of microorganism is able to independently fully support itself. They create nutrients from plant materials and gases. Bacteria synthesize natural sugars, amino and nucleic acids, which are essential food for planting. Also, due to the enrichment of the soil with useful substances, other microorganisms also receive adequate nutrition.
EM-preparations - this is what is useful to any summer resident.