Back G. N. Wididana1 and T. Higa2
Indonesia Kyusei Nature Farming Societies, Jakarta, Indonesia1 and
College of Agriculture, University of the Ryukyus, Okinawa, Japan2
Full Paper (PDF File: 139KB)
Abstract
Indonesian farmers have learned to use Effective Microorganisms (EM) on
vegetable crops much like a foliar fertilizer, akin to the foliar application
of a micronutrient. On-farm tests and demonstrations have shown that foliar
applications of EM can increase the growth and yield of vegetable crops
in a relatively short time, even though no organic amendment is added to
the soil. A field plot study was conducted during 1993 (March to August)
in collaboration with the Directorate of Horticultural Production Development
to determine the effects of foliar applied EM on the production of garlic,
onion, tomato, and watermelon, compared with the recommended application
of chemical fertilizer as a control. Foliar solutions of EM, at concentrations
of 0.1%, 0.5% and 1% (by volume), were applied at one- and two-week intervals.
Most vegetable yields were generally higher with foliarly applied EM compared
with the chemical fertilizer control. The highest yield of garlic was obtained
with EM at 0.1% applied at one-week intervals, and was 12.5% greater than
the fertilized control. The highest yield of onion and tomato resulted
from weekly applications of EM at 1%; yields for these two crops were 11.5%
and 19.5% greater than the fertilized control. There was no significant
increase in watermelon yields from foliar application of EM at any dilution
level. Various factors which influence the mechanisms of how EM affects
the rhizosphere and phyllosphere to enhance plant growth and yield are
discussed.