How to make an organic pesticide (EM5)

Another best application of effective microorganism (EM) technology is to make a non-chemical pesticide that completes its use in green technology. This organic pest repellant is also known as EM5 and it is non toxic. The EM application is usually in diluted concentration (1 in 500-1.000 parts) and do the job by providing a kind of barrier to plants from insect attacks.

Materials used in making EM5 may vary from one location to another, depending on the local availability and price of the materials. A standard set of materials and quantities generally used in making EM5 is given below. For more persistent insects, it is recommended to include organic materials having a strong medicinal properties such as garlic, aloe, hot peppers, neem leaves, etc. When such materials are used, it is best to chop or mash them with a mixer to increase their surface area and for a perfect mixing with other used substances.

Here is how to make organic pesticide (EM5)

Materials needed:

1. Water (600 ml). Use well water as tap water is usually chlorinated
2. Molasses (100 ml)
3. Vinegar (100 ml). 
4. Distilled spirit (100 ml). You can use whiskey or ethyl alcohol as an alternative
5. EM1 (100 ml)

Procedure:

1. Blend the molasses with water, make sure that it is completely dissolved. Use warm water for quick dilution of molasses.
2. Add vinegar and distilled spirit, followed by EM1.
3. Pour the mixed solution into a plastic container which can be shut tightly (A glass container should not be used, as gas production will be monitored from changes of the container). Remove excess air in the container to maintain anaerobic conditions.
4. Store it in a warm place (20-35 °C), away from direct sunlight.
5. When container is expanded by the fermented gas, loosen the cap of the container to release gas. Shut it tightly again.

EM5 making is complete when no more gas is produced and the smell of the solution has produced a sweet smell. The EM should be used within 3 months after produced. Storage is in cool dry place with a homogen temperature. Do not expose it to direct sunlight nor place it in a refrigerator.

How to make bokashi with no oxygen (anaerobic)

Bokashi making technology has developed around the word and creativity has been with it in which different materials have been tested and used in bokashi making. The best about this technology is that it can be developed using organic materials available locally, so it is applicable in all situations and localities. As long as there are organic materials available, then there you can make bokashi.

Principally, bokashi can be made either without oxygen (anaerbic) or with oxygen (aerobic). The following a recipe on how to make the bokashi using the anaerobic system.

Materials needed:

1. Rice bran (100 litres)
2. Oil cakes (25 litres)
3. Fish meal (25 litres)
4. EM1 (150 ml)
5. Molasses (150 ml)
6. Water (15 litres)

If you do not have molasses around or you have to buy it from somewhere with lots of cost, then you can replace the molasses with any type of sugar. Some other materials you can use include raw cane sugar, juice of any fruits and waste water of alcohol industrie. The principle here is to provide the microorganisms in EM with readily available energy source for the to initate their tasks.

Water quantity indicated above is for guide only. You may need less or more water, but please provide it in unlimited quantity meaning that there is always water available when needed. Guideline here is to produce a bokashi with a moist content of about 30-40 persen (moist enough, but no water excess).

Preparation:

1. Mix rice bran, oil cake and fish meal thoroughly;
2. Dissolve molasses in water (1:100). Use warm water to help the process.
3. Add EM into the molasses solution
4. Pour the EM mixture onto the already mixed organic materials. Please do this gradually to make sure a good mixing between the solution and the organic materials. Please check the mositure contents that there is drainage of excess water. The moisture level of the materials is about 30-40% and you can check this practically by squeezing a handful. Once sequeezed, it should remain as a single unit without crumbling, but the materials should scrumble when touched. That is the best condition you are after.
5. Place the mixture into an airtight bag (such polyethylene bag) and then place this into another bag to make sure an aerobic condition achieved during the process. Close the bag tightly and place it in a dark room, away from sunlight.

Time required to complete the fermentation is dependent on local climate. In summer of temperate region or in tropical regions, it requires about 3-4 days. In winter, 7-8 days are required for a complete fermentation.

At the end of the day open the bag and inspect the smell of the bokashi. It should be with a sweet smell. If it is sour and rotten in smell, you are not successful. Anaerobically prepared bokashi should be used soon after preparation. If you want to store it for later use, spread the bokashi on clean concrete floor under a shade as a way to dry it and then placed in a vinyl bag.

History of Effective Micoorganisms (EM) Technology

The effective microorganisms (EM) technology is found and developed by Teruo Higa, an agricultural professor at the University Ryukyus, Okinawa, Japan. During the years of 1970s and 1980s, carried out and led a series of research on EM technology which then directed to its furthur development into commercial field. EM is a natural, probiotic technology developed for many yeras around the world. It is based on beneficial and effective microorganisms ("EM"). The microbes in EM are non-harmful, non-pathogenic, not-genetically-engineered or modified (non-GMO), and not chemically-synthesized. The basic microorganisms in the EM are lactic acid bacteria (generally found in yoghurt and cheese), yeast (used in bread and beer making), and phototrophic bacteria.

In the first time of its development, EM was intended for use in crop farming as an answer to chemically based agricultural system in which extensive use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides has been inevitable in the system.  While EM is beneficial to increase the soil fertility, but the EM is able to do more than that and has different way of increasing soil fertility compared to conventional chemical fertilizer. EM is able to increase the number of beneficial soil microorganisms by creating beneficial microbial consortium in the soil. This improves the soil's microbial health and promotes a healthy environment for plants, recognising the principle that microbial diversity and organic material combine to produce healthy soils, and therefore healthy plants.

EM can also be used as a processing tool to manufacture organic fertilisers. From crop farming, its application flowed naturally into livestock. Outside the U.S., EM is actively used in livestock operations, including hog, cattle/dairy, and poultry. From livestock, the positive effects on the livestock waste and effluent into lagoons and rivers led to the use of EM for environmental purposes: from land/soil remediation to water purification. EM environmental applications throughout the world have included cleaning polluted waterways, lakes and lagoons, in septic systems, municipal wastewater treatment plants, and landfills/dump sites. As EM became used extensively in livestock, research began into its use as a functional food supplement for human health. It was discovered that EM exhibits very beneficial effects as an antioxidant and probiotic on the the animal digestive system.

How to make EM1 stock solution

The original effective microorganism (EM1) solution contains microorganisms which are inactive (dormant) and thus have to be activated before used. This can be done by adding nutrients into the solution for microorganisms to use and active. Please remember that the original EM solution has a yellow-brown color with a pleasant odor and sweet sour odor. It should have a pH below 3.5. If you find an EM1 solution which has a bad odor and with a pH of more than 4.0, that indicates that the solution has deteriorated. Make sure about this as soon as possible and you may get replacement from where you bought it.

To make an EM1 stock solution, you just need to well mix the original EM1 liquid (1 ml) with 1.000 ml of water and 1 ml of molasses (or 1 g of sugar). Leave this solution for 24 hours before use for your plants. You can use your EM1 stock solution to water your soil planted with plants (by watering cans, sprinkles, or irrigation system) or you can also apply it as a foliar spray both for garden plants or potted ones.You may need to do a little experiment on the go which of these fertilizing techniques work best for you. Defferent people may have different experience because of different soil condition, plant types, watering tools, etc. One thing important to remember with the EM1 stock solution that you are using a liquid fertlizer for your plants.