This Case study looks at the Agrosalgueiro Group in Brazil which has started the use of EM in large scale since 2014. EM is being used to seed treatment, soil treatment, plant treatment and for disease control across 8000 hectares.
Introduction of EM
The decision behind adopting EM Technology was the need to find a solution to the decreasing production capacity year after year due to the high amounts of chemical used in conventional
agriculture systems.
These are the different ways that EM is applied on the farm;
- On seeds - EM is mixed with inoculants during seeds treatment.
- On soil - EM is injected on furrow during planting or is sprayed onto soil.
- On plants - EM is sprayed over plants before closing lines.
- On Diseases and Pests - EM is sprayed, mixed with agrochemicals.
Seed Treatment
EM is significantly used for treating seeds before planting them. They mix EM with other inoculants and agrichemicals. Seeds are germinating faster and the effects of the inoculants on root growth have been improved.
Soil Treatment
EM is being used to reestablish life on soil, favoring a better composition of organic matter as well as favoring the development of other good microorganisms.
EM is also applied directly to the plants to regulate plants growth. It is also applied mixed with agrochemicals to improve their efficiency, reducing 2 applications of fungicide and 1 application of insecticide, thus reducing the cost and labor.
Areas of soybeans where EM had been used in the soil for more than 2 years, had shown an increasingly reduction of menatodes problems. Natural and beneficial fungus that develped on soil worked as antagonist to nematodes, or even became natural predators for nematodes.
Economic Impact
It was reported that farms using EM effectively at the ratio of at least 20L/ha have increased their yield average by 4%.
For example, in a corn field using EM, Yield Average was 3,111kg/ha whereas 2,820kg/ha in the control field (10% UP). In a wheat and canola field with EM, the yield average was 161sc/alq whereas 156sc/alq in the control field (3.2% UP).
The economic impact of 4% increased in yield average us about $55/ha.
Furthermore, less application and less use of agrochemicals reduces the cost, resulting in reducing the cost for chemicals $39/ha, thus net saving is $94/ha.
Environmental and Social Impact
In Brazil they have seen that farms that are using EM for more than 2 years have reported better soil quality, better organic matter on soil, and better levels of nutrients.
It also helps farmers save money and they feel happier to work with a safe product. According to the farmers, EM is bringing new perspectives, new hopes and it is encouraging them for new investments.
