Horticulture

2022/23 EMNZ Onion Trial

• 13 March 2023

This field trial was designed to determine the effectiveness of EM treatment variations against Onions on a Canterbury farm

How Microorganisms can help flood damaged soils

• 1 March 2023

Microorganisms can play an important role in helping to restore flood damaged soils. Floods can have a devastating impact on soil health by washing away topsoil, nutrients, and beneficial microorganisms. However, microorganisms can help to improve soil structure, increase nutrient availability, and promote plant growth. Effective microorganisms (EM) are a combination of beneficial bacteria, fungi

Building Resilience in Soils and Farming Systems

• 9 September 2022

Around the world we are seeing an increase in the amount of both Biotic and Abiotic Stress brought on by several factors particularly global warming. Biotic stress refers to increased insect and disease impact on crops and soil and abiotic stress is defined as the negative impact of non-living factors on living organisms in a specific environment.

Naturefarm: 20 Years

• 7 December 2021

Building Disease Suppressive Soils

• 14 June 2021

Achieving the best possible results for you crop begins below the ground, and specifically in the top few centimetres of healthy topsoil. Topsoil is so important because it contains all the nutrients that plants need to survive. It is also the city in which the all-important soil organisms live – where the Bacteria, fungi, archaea, nematodes and nameless other organisms quietly feed and defend our

Antioxidants and their Importance

• 15 March 2021

New Product: EM Fulvic

• 2 February 2021

We are happy to announce the development of a new product for your Crops. EM Fulvic is a concentrated liquid Fulvic acid product product containing 12.5% Fulvic acid combined with EM. Fulvic Acid is a powerful extract from humates which offers a host of benefits for both the soil and the plant. This product has been designed to mobilise and naturally chelate elements in the soil.

EM Foliar Enhance Growth Trials

• 14 December 2020

In 2020 we set out to design growth trials to show the effect EM foliar enhance would have on a Brassica crop. We planted and germinated forage rape seeds and after 6 weeks they were treated with a dose of 10L per ha of EM Foliar Enhance. They were treated for a second time 14 days later. The results showed that using EM Foliar Enhance boosted production

New Product: EM Foliar Enhance

• 8 December 2020

EM Foliar Enhance is a product designed to give your crops the best natural way to achieve both a high yield and crop quality. This high quality product is a combination of naturally harvested and high quality local seaweed, and a plant derived amino acid complex, fulvic acid and our fermented microbial inoculant - EM.

The Effect of EM on Photosynthesis

• 25 September 2020

Photosynthesis plays a decisive role in crop production. Photosynthesis occurs in all living plants, it is the process plants use to capture energy from sunlight and then to convert it into biochemical energy, which is subsequently used to support nearly all life on Earth. Plant growth depends on photosynthesis and improving photosynthesis can contribute toward greater food security.

New Product: EM Amino

• 23 September 2020

EM Amino is a full spectrum L-Amino acid that is plant derived making it highly available to all agricultural crops. Its unique combination includes a range of beneficial biology, trace minerals, carbohydrates and enzymes. Plants gain their proteins from amino acids that are produced via complex biochemical processes that consume vast amounts of energy within the plant.

Secondary Metabolites: What are they and how they can impact your Soil

• 11 June 2020

The ability for microorganisms to produce and release various metabolites stimulating plant growth and favourable health is considered to an important factor in soil fertility.

How Soil Microbes Influence our Health

• 11 June 2020

Until more recently than most agricultural experts would like to admit, we thought of the soil as nothing more than a matrix to hold plants and minerals. But due to a few ground-breaking scientists, like EM founder Prof Dr Terou Higa, we have a better understanding of the bacteria and fungi that make up our microbiome, leading to breakthroughs in soil science. These breakthroughs have shown us

How EM can boost your Growing System in Autumn

• 18 March 2020

As we enter autumn there are a whole host of ways EM can be used to enhance your soil and boost performance in crops and pasture. It is a great time to give your soil a bit of TLC, whether you are planting autumn crops, breaking down crop residues, looking to boost your soil or help it recover or looking to enhance an existing crop, EM can help.

The Prominent Role of Lactic Acid Bacteria in Agriculture and EM

• 17 March 2020

Lactobacilli or Lactic Acid Bacteria (LAB) are found in the gut and on the skin of all living organisms. They are found in every soil and on every leaf surface. Their abundance signals their importance. Ferments containing lactic acid bacteria (LAB) have been used for decades in agricultural systems to improve soils, control disease and promote plant growth.

Spring into Summer in the Garden - Radio NZ interview

• 22 October 2019

Otaki-based organic gardener, Kath Irvine has been growing all the vegetables to feed her family of 6 for a couple of decades now. She gives advice to prepare for when the seasons change and how to get the best out of your garden.

EMNZ Thailand Tour 2019

• 14 August 2019

EMNZ visited Thailand in July 2019. On this visit they went to an EM and Nature farming research farm, farmers using EM and Bokashi on Banana, Rubber and Cassava crops in the Ubon province and a state of the art shrimp farm using EM to enhance health and reuse water.

Utilising Waste to Improve Soil Health in New Zealand Farming - Large Scale Bokashi in NZ

• 14 June 2019

An in-depth look at Bokashi in New Zealand. Farmer Tim Hawke shows us how he is making a difference in New Zealand by using waste products to enhance the soil on his farm. We speak to EMNZ who make the key ingredient and a Soil Consultant who talks about how Bokashi has improved the farm.

EM and its Impact on the Quality of Compost

• 11 February 2019

This is a study which aims to assess the effect of EM application on the composting process of rice straw with goat manure and green waste and to evaluate the quality of both compost treatments. There are two treatment piles in this study, in which one pile was applied with EM and another pile without EM. Each treatment was replicated three times with 90 days of composting duration.

How EM impacts K in the Soil

• 1 May 2018

Potassium (K) is an essential element for plants and is involved in nearly every aspect of plant growth. Plants require a fairly large quantity of K and it is second to only Nitrogen in quantity uptake by the plant.

Waiheke Island Organic Gardeners Great Results

• 2 November 2015

Waiheke Island Organic Gardener Claire Mummery showcases her great results with EM.

Foliar Feeding. Why?

• 12 October 2015

Foliar feeding is an effective method to deliver nutrients to plants through their leaves. Applying nutrients directly to the leaves disperses the nutrients throughout the plant more quickly. It’s often used to supplement plants grown in nutrient deficient soil or as a way to complement fertiliser program. ?

Foliar Feeding with EM

• 18 May 2015

EM is a microbial inoculant that can be very beneficial to crops and plants with the introduction of beneficial micro-organisms.Research has demonstrated that applying nutrients through their leaves is a great way to increase micronutrients in plants to supplement deficiencies in the soil. At certain times of the day the stoma are open.

Fungi Stimulation

• 11 May 2015

EM is a combination of beneficial microorganisms including Fungi but another bonus is the stimulation of other types of fungi in the soil. This includes Mycorrhizae and Tricoderma.

Enhance Your Soil’s Biology

• 2 March 2015

The value of adding in nutrient rich hummus, compost, and fertilizer to soils is widely known to be essential when starting a garden. But many don't understand that the soil is a complex, living ecosystem. This is an important concept to remember and use as part of your ongoing gardening philosophy.

How to Start an Organic Garden

• 2 March 2015

For a quick how-to on best practices in building and maintaining an organic garden, follow the following six steps.

Microbial Imbalances in the Soil

• 27 February 2015

Microbial communities work in synergy to out-compete antagonistic communities of microbes. This is a balance between "positive" and "negative" microbes. Many microbial species (the good ones) kill or inhibit bacteria, fungi and nematodes (the bad ones) that attack the root systems important for the exchange of valuable nutrients in the soil through competitive exclusion.

Using EM as a Foliar Spray

• 4 November 2014

Use EM as a foliar spray to increase growth and maintain the health in your plants. Research has demonstrated that applying nutrients through their leaves is a great way to increase micronutrients in plants to supplement deficiencies in the soil. EM can be applied the same way and mixed with plant nutrients for enhanced foliar fertilisation.

Enhancing Fertiliser Inputs

• 16 October 2014

The microbes in EM will solubilise compounds both organic and inorganic that are largely unavailable to plants and make them available for uptake by the plants root system allowing the plant to put more energy into growth. In performing this important function the Microbes create a more efficient use of added nutrients, generating a better growth response from fertiliser inputs.

Improving Root Structures

• 9 September 2014

EM has many substances that improve root structures and enhance plant performance. This post looks at some examples where EM has been used to enhance the root structures of soyabean and clover crops.

Welcome to the Darkness

• 16 June 2014

Welcome to the darkest month of the Year. June is the first month of winter and although it is generally warmer than July we do get the occasional wet spell or frosty morning. The days are short and dreary which doesn’t promote enthusiasm to do much outside in your spare time, not that there is all that much too do in the garden.

Sustainable Food Production and Waste Control Seminars Hosted by EMNZ in June

• 15 May 2014

Don’t miss your chance to see an internationally renowned speaker near you. Dr Ravi Sangakkara will be visiting the upper North Island in early June to give a series of seminars on how our communities can grow healthy food sustainably while also reducing waste and our carbon footprint.

Autumn in the Garden

• 2 May 2014

We hope you are enjoying the change of season. Autumn is a fantastic season for the home gardener with crisp air, and long days, it is ideal for the jobs that need doing following summer. Autumn is a great time for planting a new lawn, planting trees and shrubs, and of course planting the vegetable garden for winter.

Composting in the Vineyard

• 21 March 2014

Right about now is the perfect time to take all of that grape marc that is generated by a vineyard during harvest and convert it into a high energy and nutrient dense compost using our product Effective Microorganisms (EM).

The Importance of Mycorrhizal Fungi

• 31 January 2014

Mycorrhizal fungi form relationships with over 95% of plant species. They surround and even enter the roots of these plants, and provide nutrients such as phosphorus (and even nitrogen) and water to plants in exchange for carbohydrates, usually sugars.

Peak Growing Time

• 15 January 2014

At this time of the New Year we are seeing peak growing periods for many of our favourite fruit and vegetables. Microorganisms still play a vital role in ensuring the health, strength and productivity of a plant.