Microorganism

microorganisms used to accelerate the decomposition process. They include lactobacilli, yeasts, photosynthetic bacteria and actinomycetes.

Reproduction of Mountain Microorganisms (MM)

EdibleScapes Photo Journal

Reproduction of MM is a process of reproducing beneficial microorganisms, obtained from a natural forest, by giving them the right conditions for their growth.

EdibleScapes MM Recipe – Anaerobic Solid-State Fermentation (the fermentation process inwhich dry organic raw materials are decomposed by anaerobicbacteria)

  • 1 partmicroorganisms from local rainforest
  • 1 partmicroorganisms from site bamboo
  • 1 part coffee ground from local coffee shop
  • Fruit macerate(softened by partially decomposing) in worms leachate (solution fromleaching)
  • Water withoutchlorine  

Collect decomposing leaf litter from bamboo roots. Collected MM from bamboo-stands are full of bacteria and good for the garden soil. Bamboo roots secrete sugar and attract a lot of microbes.

Microorganisms have been collected from the Nerang forest (rainforest spot). Decomposing leaf litter was collected from under old-growth trees from around the roots. Samples of MM from under the trees are full of fungii, and good for shrubs and trees.

Other places to collectfrom are worm casting/bins, decaying leaf litter or leaf soil from the insideof a large lantana bush.

Coffee grounds were collected and dried out in the sun, as a source of protein and carbohydrate.

Banana and fruit juice macerate
Fruit juice macerate

As a source of energy, use fruit juice (macerate 6 days in compost worm Leachate) for microorganisms to reproduce.

Water without chlorine: Allow water to sit in the sun for over 24 hours, and the chlorine dissipates into the environment.

Procedure to encourage the growth of MM:

8 June EdibleScapes Working Bee   boys play with dirt.

On a clean floor, the decomposing bush leaves (microorganisms) and the coffee grounds were mixed well with the macerated fruit juice-worm leachate, still 40% moistened

The mixture should have optimal moisture. It can be tested by squeezing the mixture and having no water come out through the fingers.  It should form a ball that breaks easily when pressed.

It is compacted to eliminate any possible air.

Anaerobic fermentation: The bucket was covered tightly to prevent the entry of air, and stored in a cool and dry place for a period of 30 days. Thereafter it will be ready for use.

In the anaerobic MM mixture, diverse types of beneficial microorganisms were reproduced. If correctly stored, it can last up to 2 years.

In the second week of July, EdibleScapes will active MM liquid to use at the Edible Landscapes Gardens to:

  • Improves the soil health, crop productivity and quality of produce.
  • Stimulates seed germination and root growth
  • Protects the crops from being attacked by disease causing organisms.  

As well, EdibleScapes willuse MM in the preparation of Bokashi, Bio-ferments and Bio-crop repellents. Aportion of this organic fertilizer will be available to the Gold Coast Organic Growerscommunity to be swapped for fundraising for the Edible Landscape Gardens and itscomposting program.

Inoculation of compost

Maturity of Compost

Composting is an effective way of reducing organic wastes and transforming them into humus as bio-fertilizer. The application of mature compost not only increases soil nutrient and beneficial microbial population, but also promotes plant growth and suppresses diseases. The application of microbiological additive inoculated compost is likely to exhibit persuasive results compared to the direct use of organic wastes. The microorganisms in mature compost could persist in soil for longer periods of time and colonize more aggressively in the rhizosphere.

The end product of composting organics is considered beneficial if it meets safety standards for human health and the environment, and it can also enhance soil health. Compost maturity is defined as a property that, when applied to plants, does not cause adverse effects including phytotoxic effects. In general, mature compost can be defined as a material which is ready for cultivation use.

It is very important that the final product of composting be mature. Immature compost causes several detrimental effects including reducing the available soil nitrogen, which in turn causes nitrogen deficiency in crops. In addition, due to the speedy disintegration of immature compost, an anaerobic environment is often created around the plant roots, depleting the supply of oxygen. Furthermore, acidic compost also increases the solubility of heavy metals and inhibits the germination of plant seeds by producing phytotoxic substances like ethylene oxide, organic acids and ammonia.

Effective Microorganisms (EM)

It is a group of mutually compatible species of microorganisms used to accelerate the decomposition process. They include lactobacilli, yeasts, photosynthetic bacteria and actinomycetes. Inoculation of compost enhances the composting process and quality of the final product.

EM produces antioxidants such as inositol, saponin, ubiquinone, low-molecular polysaccharides, chelating agents and polyphenols. These substances inhibit the harmful microbial population, enhance the multiplication of beneficial microorganisms and decontaminate harmful substances simultaneously. However, a single microorganism cannot produce all the necessary enzymes for complete degradation but use of microbial groups such as EM which act synergistically for rapid biodegradation of organic residues can help produce all the necessary enzymes. (The concept of efficient microorganisms (EM) or effective microorganisms was developed in the 1980s by Dr. Teguo Higa, professor of horticulture at the University of Ryukyu, in Okinawa, Japan.)

Mountain Microorganisms (MM)

Mountain Microorganisms is a collection of various beneficial microorganisms that are found in virgin soils or forest decomposing organic matter. They are used in the preparation of organic fertilizers in order to speed up the process of breaking down organic matter. The inoculation of beneficial microbes in the compost would further enhance the soil fertility and crop productivity.

Organic Fertilizers and Bio-Ferments

It is based on the technology of using mountain microorganisms to restore soil life, increase crop productivity and quality in order to improve organic growers’ livelihoods.

The production of organic compost using effective Mountain Microorganisms is one of a demonstrated alternative that will allow or permit organic growers to regenerate the fertility of their soil. This technology was implemented from microorganisms from their natural habitat (nearby natural forest) which are reproduced using inputs and techniques that are easy to understand.

These microorganisms are then incorporated in the preparation of organic solid fertilizers (Bokashi) and Bioles (fermented liquid fertilizers), in order to regenerate soil health and fertility of soil.

This puts in action the restoration of ecological equilibrium of the land that were once enjoyed by our ancestors. Organic fertilizers are products obtained from the decomposition of organic matter; in this process effective microorganisms are important because they break down the organic matter thus releasing nutrients for plant growth.

Importance of organic fertilizers

They improve the soil, physical structure (soft and loose soil), chemical (increase nutrients), and biological (high population of beneficial microorganisms) composition.
• Improve yields and the quality of produce
• Source of food for soil organisms
If there were no beneficial microorganisms, the process of decomposition would be slow and we would not obtain high quality organic fertilizer.

Decomposing forest matter is a natural source of Mountain Microorganisms.

Importance of Effective Mountain Microorganisms (M.M)
• Improves the soil health, crop productivity and quality of produce.
• Stimulates seed germination and root growth
• Protects the crops from being attacked by disease causing organisms.  
Are used in the preparation of Bokashi, Bio-ferments and Bio-crop repellents.

Reproduction of M.M

(Effective Mountain Microorganisms)

Is a process of reproducing beneficial microorganisms, obtained from a natural forest, by giving them the right conditions for their growth which will later be used in the preparation of solid and liquid organic fertilizers. Theycan also be applied directly on the plant leaves to control certain pests and diseases or as a growth booster.

The MM technology regenerates poorly managed soils reducing incidences of crop pest and diseases and improves productivity and quality of your crops. It can be implemented by all producers whether large, medium, small, organic, conventional or sustainable.

Mountain Microorganisms Recipe

Phase 1: MM Solid
Ingredients
•3 sacks microorganisms (duff layer of primary forest)
•2 sacks semolina, or chopped sugar cane
•1 gallon molasses, cane juice, or fruit juice
•1 gallon water

Instructions
Spread a layer of duff on a top and cover with a layer of semolina. Mix well with hands. Dilute the molasses with the water and sprinkle on top as you continue to mix. If you grab a fistful of the mixture it should be slightly damp and fall apart easily after you squeeze it.

Next, have someone stand in a 55 gallon plastic drum (never metal), while you shovel the material inside. As you shovel, the person stamps the mixture down with their feet to compress it and remove any air pockets. Seal the barrel and leave at least one month, stored in the shade. When ready, it should have a strong smell of lactic acid.