Abstract
Abstract “Effective microorganisms” (EM) are a poorly defined mixture of supposedly beneficial microorganisms that are claimed to enhance microbial turnover in compost and soil. In Costa Rica, EM are used to produce organic compost (bokashi) from banana residues ( Musa ssp.). Given the scarcity of scientific data about the effects of EM on the mineralization of plant residues, this study aimed at investigating the effects of EM addition on the decomposition of banana residues during Bokashi production. To this end, the following non‐EM treatments were compared to EM Bokashi: Bokashi produced with water (W), with molasses (M) as an EM additive, and with sterilized EM (EMst). Subsequently, the effects of the resulting Bokashi treatments on the growth of young banana plants were evaluated. Compared with non‐EM controls, the effect of EM on the mineralization of banana material was negligible. Dry‐matter losses of the composts with different EM treatments were similar, with about 78% over 5 weeks. Ergosterol concentration was highest in EM Bokashi (77 µg (g dry soil) –1 ) and lowest in EMst Bokashi (29 µg (g dry soil) –1 ). Microbial biomass carbon (C mic ) and microbial biomass nitrogen (N mic ) were both lowest in EM (C mic = 3121 µg g –1 ; N mic = 449 µg g –1 ), while C mic was highest in Bokashi produced with molasses (3892 µg g –1 ) and N mic was highest in EMst (615 µg g –1 ). Treatment effects on adenylate concentrations and adenylate energy charge were negligible. Application of all Bokashi variants to young banana plants significantly increased shoot growth under greenhouse conditions compared to plants grown in a control soil without amendments. However, these effects were similar for all Bokashi treatments, even if EM Bokashi increased the K concentrations in banana leaves significantly compared to Bokashi produced with EMst and the control. Bokashi produced with only molasses and EM Bokashi decreased the number of root nematodes under greenhouse conditions compared to the control. Overall, the results confirmed the expected influence of composting on the degradation of organic material and the effect of compost application on plant growth. Hower, under the conditions of this study, EM showed no special effects in this, except for increasing the K concentrations in the leaves of young banana plants.
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Claims 14
Claim · model-written summary
EM had negligible effect on banana residue mineralization versus non-EM controls.
Not reportedDirection
Verbatim
e0“Compared with non‐EM controls, the effect of EM on the mineralization of banana material was negligible.”
Claim · model-written summary
Compost dry matter loss was similar across EM treatments at about 78% over five weeks.
- Taxon
- bananat0
- Treatment
- different EM treatmentse0
- Outcome
- Dry‐matter lossese0
- Direction
- similare0
- Value
- about 78%e0
Not reportedComparator
Verbatim
e0“Dry‐matter losses of the composts with different EM treatments were similar, with about 78% over 5 weeks.”
t0“banana (Musa ssp.)”
Claim · model-written summary
Ergosterol concentration was highest in EM Bokashi.
Verbatim
e0“Ergosterol concentration was highest in EM Bokashi (77 µg (g dry soil) –1 )”
t0“banana (Musa ssp.)”
Claim · model-written summary
Ergosterol concentration was lowest in sterilized EM Bokashi.
Verbatim
e0“lowest in EMst Bokashi (29 µg (g dry soil) –1 )”
t0“banana (Musa ssp.)”
Claim · model-written summary
EM Bokashi had the lowest microbial biomass carbon.
Verbatim
e0“Microbial biomass carbon (C mic ) and microbial biomass nitrogen (N mic ) were both lowest in EM (C mic = 3121 µg g –1 ; N mic = 449 µg g –1 )”
t0“banana (Musa ssp.)”
Claim · model-written summary
EM Bokashi had the lowest microbial biomass nitrogen.
Verbatim
e0“Microbial biomass carbon (C mic ) and microbial biomass nitrogen (N mic ) were both lowest in EM (C mic = 3121 µg g –1 ; N mic = 449 µg g –1 )”
t0“banana (Musa ssp.)”
Claim · model-written summary
Microbial biomass carbon was highest in molasses Bokashi.
Verbatim
e0“C mic was highest in Bokashi produced with molasses (3892 µg g –1 )”
t0“banana (Musa ssp.)”
Claim · model-written summary
Microbial biomass nitrogen was highest in sterilized EM Bokashi.
Verbatim
e0“N mic was highest in EMst (615 µg g –1 )”
t0“banana (Musa ssp.)”
Claim · model-written summary
Treatment effects on adenylate concentrations and energy charge were negligible.
Not reportedComparatorDirection
Verbatim
e0“Treatment effects on adenylate concentrations and adenylate energy charge were negligible.”
t0“banana (Musa ssp.)”
Claim · model-written summary
Every Bokashi variant increased young banana shoot growth relative to unamended control soil.
Verbatim
e0“Application of all Bokashi variants to young banana plants significantly increased shoot growth under greenhouse conditions compared to plants grown in a control soil without amendments.”
Claim · model-written summary
Shoot growth effects were similar among Bokashi treatments.
Not reportedComparator
Verbatim
e0“these effects were similar for all Bokashi treatments”
t0“banana (Musa ssp.)”
Claim · model-written summary
EM Bokashi raised banana leaf potassium versus sterilized EM Bokashi and control.
Verbatim
e0“EM Bokashi increased the K concentrations in banana leaves significantly compared to Bokashi produced with EMst and the control”
Claim · model-written summary
Molasses-only Bokashi decreased root nematodes relative to control.
Verbatim
e0“Bokashi produced with only molasses and EM Bokashi decreased the number of root nematodes under greenhouse conditions compared to the control.”
t0“banana (Musa ssp.)”
Claim · model-written summary
EM Bokashi decreased root nematodes relative to control.
Verbatim
e0“EM Bokashi decreased the number of root nematodes under greenhouse conditions compared to the control.”
t0“banana (Musa ssp.)”
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