Influence of Microorganisms Effective against Basal Rot and on Agronomic Parameters of Onion [Allium cepa L. (Amaryllidaceae)]

Onions are a horticultural crop of great economic, dietary and medicinal importance, and are highly prized by the Ivorian population. However, production remains low, due to a number of constraints, including parasitic attacks. The most frequent is fusariosis caused by Fusarium sp., a pathogen that causes enormous damage to onion crops. Faced with these attacks, chemical control appears to be ineffective, with consequences for human health and the environment. This is why the search for effective alternative methods that respect the environment and human health is so necessary. It is in this context that this study was carried out, with the general aim of controlling fusarium wilt in onion crops, with a view to improving onion production in Ivory Coast through the use of effective microorganisms. The experimental set-up used for this purpose was a fisher block with complete randomization, comprising three replicates. A fungal spore concentration of 106 spore/mL of Fusarium sp., three doses (1%;2.5% and 5% v/v) of EM and one dose of a chemical fungicide (30 mL/16L) were tested on young onion plants. Each block consisted of nine sub-plots with nine treatments. Health parameters (incidence and severity) and agronomic parameters (growth and yield) were assessed. Microbiological analysis of the EM revealed the presence of nine morphotypes of Trichoderma sp., Aspergillus clavatus, Aspergillus flavus, Aspergillus sp., Penicillium sp., Rhizopus sp., lactic acid bacteria of the Bacillus family and the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Field experimentation showed that the 5% EM microbial solution reduced the incidence and severity of fusariosis compared with the chemical fungicide, and proved to be the best. This dose reduced yield losses by 7.14%, while improving onion growth and yield by over 5%. The results demonstrated the ability of the EM solution to effectively control the causal agent of basal rot in onion crops.

Composting MSW and sewage sludge with effective complex microorganisms

The effects of complex microorganisms in composting process of the municipal solid waste (MSW) and sludge were examined through inspecting biomass, temperature, oxygen consumption, organic mater, and C/N (the ratio of carbon and nitrogen). The experimental results shows: complex microorganisms are effective to compose organic matter and speedup composting change into humus.

Damage to DNA of effective microorganisms by heavy metals:Impact on wastewater treatment

The research is to test the damage to DNA of effective microorganisms(EMs)by heavy metal ions As3+,Cd2+,Cr3+,Cu2+,Hg2+, Pb2+,and Zn2+,as well as the effects of EM bacteria on wastewater treatment capability when their DNA is damaged.The approach applied in this study is to test with COMET assay the damage of EM DNA in wastewater with different concentrations of heavy metal ions As3+,Cd2+,Cr3+,Cu2+,Hg2+,Pb2+,Zn2+,as well as the effects of EM treated with As3+,Cd2+,Cr3+,Cu2+,Hg2+,Pb2+,and Zn2+ on COD degradin...

Prospects of effective microorganisms technology in wastes treatment in Egypt

Sludge dewatering and treatment may cost as much as the wastewater treatment.Usually large proportion of the pollutants in wastewater is organic.They are attacked by saprophytic microorganisms,i.e.organisms that feed upon dead organic matter.Activity of organisms causes decomposition of organic matter and destroys them,where the bacteria convert the organic matter or other constituents in the wastewater to new cells,water,gases and other products.Demolition activities,including renovation/remodeling works and complete or selective removal/demolishing of existing structures either by man-made processes or by natural disasters,create an extensive amount of wastes.These demolition wastes are characterized as heterogeneous mixtures of building materials that are usually contaminated with chemicals and dirt.In developing countries, it is estimated that demolition wastes comprise 20%to 30%of the total annual solid wastes.In Egypt,the daily quantity of construction and demolition(C&D) waste has been estimated as 10 000 tones.That is equivalent to one third of the total daily municipal solid wastes generated per day in Egypt.The zabbaliin have since expanded their activities and now take the waste they collect back to their garbage villages where it is sorted into recyclable components:paper,plastics, rags,glass,metal and food.The food waste is fed to pigs and the other items are sold to recycling centers.This paper summarizes the wastewater and solid wastes management in Egypt now and future.

Studies on Solubility and Stability of Oligochitosan in Effective Microorganisms

[Objective] This study aimed to explore the synergistic effect of oligochi- tosan and EM bacteria and provide a theoretical basis for its application in animal health, aquaculture, sewage treatment and other fields. [Method] Different concentrations of oligochitosan were added into EM bacteria liquid and the stability was preliminarily studied. [Result] Addition of oligochitosan with appropriate proportion had played a supporting role in the stable storage of EM bacteria liquid and had shown certain inhibition effect on flatulence of EM bacteria liquid. Addition of oligochitosan had no significant effect on the quality and re-fermentation of EM bacteria. [Conclusion] The study indicated that oligochitosan could be utilized in conjunction with EM bacteria liquid, having a promising practical potential application.

Responses of Soil Fauna Structure and Leaf Litter Decomposition to Effective Microorganism Treatments in Da Hinggan Mountains,China

Microorganisms are nutritious resources for various soil fauna.Although soil fauna grazing affects microorganism composition and decomposition rate,the responses of soil fauna and leaf litter decomposition to added microorganism is little understood.In this study,in the coniferous and broad-leaved mixed forest of Tahe County in the northern Da Hinggan Mountains,China,three sampling sites(each has an area of 10 m2) were selected.The first two sites were sprinkled with 250 times(EM1) and 1000 times(EM2) diluted effective microorganism(EM) preparations evenly,and the third site was sprinkled with the same volume of water as a control site.The responses of soil fauna structure and leaf litter decomposition to EM treatment were conducted during three years.The results revealed that EM treatment resulted in significant increase of soil organic matter.The number of soil fauna in the EM1 and EM2 sites increased by 12.88% and 2.23% compared to the control site,and among them springtails and mites showed the highest increase.However,the groups of soil fauna in the EM1 and EM2 sites decreased by 6 and 9,respectively.And the changes in the diversity and evenness index were relatively complicated.EM treatment slowed the decomposition of broad-leaved litter,but accelerated the decomposition of coniferous litter.However,the decomposition rate of broad-leaved litter was still higher than that of coniferous litter.The results of this study suggested that the added microorganisms could help individual growth of soil fauna,and this method led to a change in the process of leaf litter decomposition.This paper did not analyze the activity of soil microorganisms,thus it is difficult to clearly explain the complex relationships among litter type,soil fauna and soil microorganisms.Further research on this subject is needed.

Effect of Inoculation with Effective Microorganisms and Leachate Recycle on Degradation of Municipal Refuse

Biodegradation of waste in landfill is a slow process requiring decades for completion. Accelerated degradation of municipal refuse in modulated landfill environments may alleviate or eliminate pollution to the land, water and air. In this work, nineteen effective microorganisms (EMs) were isolated from old landfill refuse by enrichment culturing techniques and used for the inoculum of municipal refuse. The preliminary experiments demonstrate that a combination of EMs inoculation in landfill with leachate recycle resulted in increased rates of decomposition and faster process stability. The concentrations of COD, VFA and SO4^2- in digester with EMs inoculation and leachate recycle decreased more rapidly than others. Gas production from digester with EMs inoculation and leachate recycle commenced around 32 days, which is a week shorter than with leachate recycle only. And peak cumulative gas production was obtained much earlier in digester with EMs inoculation and leachate recycle (150 days) compared to 180 days with leachate recycle only. Moreover, in the first two months, the rate of settlement in digester with EMs inoculation and leachate recycle was more rapid than others.

Effects of Synergy between Earthworms and Effective Microorganisms on Vermicomposting of Pig Manure

[ Objective] To explore the effects of synergy between earthworms （ Eisenia foetida） and effective microorganisms （EM） on vermicom. posting of pig manure and to provide a new idea for rational and effective utilization and treatment of animal manure. [Method] Four treatments were used to compost pig manure, namely, EM-inoculated manure, earthworms-inoculated manure, EM and earthworms-inoculated manure and control （CK） manure. The experiment lasted for 60 d. On Day 0, 15, 30, 45 and 60, the pig manure was collected, and the content of total organic carbon （TOC）, total Kjeldahl nitrogen （TKN）, ammonium nitrogen, nitrate nitrogen and water soluble carbon （WSC） was determined, respectively. [Resuit] Compared with the control, the EM and earthworms-inoculated manure had a decrease of 42.8% in the TOC content, an increase of 13.6% in the TKN content, a decrease of 49.5% in the carbon nitrogen ratio, the conversion rate of ammonium nitrogen of 98.1%, a 96 times increase in nitrate nitrogen, the ratio of nitrate nitrogen to ammonium nitrogen of 61, and a decrease of 58.9% in the WSC content. [ Conclusion] The synergy between earthworms and EM can accelerate maturation of pig manure and improve mineralization and stability of products.

In Vitro Antibacterial Effect of Effective Microorganisms( EM) on Aeromonas hydrophila

In order to understand in vitro antibacterial effect of antibiotics and EM on Aeromonas hydrophila,14 isolates of A. hydrophila were isolated from diseased fish and aquaculture in the study. PCR amplification results of aerolysin gene( Aero gene) of isolates indicated that 7 out of 14 isolates were pathogenic A.hydrophila. In vitro antibacterial test indicated that 14 isolates were resistance to penicillin G,ampicillin,cephradine,cefazolin,tetracycline,terimethoprim,lincomycin and cephalexin,but showed high sensitivity to cefotaxime and furazolidone. In vitro antibacterial effect of EM on 14 isolates of A. hydrophila was positively correlated with concentration,and EM with the concentration greater than 60% had antibacterial effect on 14 isolates.

Ecological effects of crude oil residues on the functional diversity of soil microorganisms in three weed rhizospheres

Ecological effects of crude oil residues on weed rhizospheres are still vague. The quantitative and diversity changes and metabolic responses of soil-bacterial communities in common dandelion （Taraxacum officinale）, jerusalem artichoke （Silphiurn perfoliatum L.） and evening primrose （A colypha australis L.） rhizospheric soils were thus examined using the method of carbon source utilization. The results indicated that there were various toxic effects of crude oil residues on the growth and reproduction of soil bacteria, but the weed rhizospheres could mitigate the toxic effects. Total heterotrophic counting colony-forming units （CFUs） in the rhizospheric soils were significantly higher than those in the non-rhizospheric soils. The culturable soil-bacterial CFUs in the jerusalem artichoke （S. perfoliatum） rhizosphere polluted with 0.50 kg/pot of crude oil residues were almost twice as much as those with 0.25 kg/pot and without the addition of crude oil residues. The addition of crude oil residues increased the difference in substrate evenness, substrate richness, and substrate diversity between non-rhizospheric and rhizospheric soils of T. officinale and A. australis, but there was no significant （p〉0.05） difference in the Shannon＇s diversity index between non-rhizospheric and rhizospheric soils of S. perfoliatum. The rhizospheric response of weed species to crude oil residues suggested that S. perfoliatum may be a potential weed species for the effective plant-microorganism bioremediation of contaminated soils by crude oil residues.

Effects of inoculating microorganisms on mesophilic anaerobic digestion of septic sludge

The anaerobic digestion of septic sludge was studied through inoculating effective microorganisms (EMs) under mesophilic condition (35 ℃). The variation of COD,total solid (TS),volatile solid (VS),pH value and the gas production rate during the digestion process were presented,and the optimal adding concentration of EMs was determined by comparing the reduction effectiveness of septic sludge. The results show that proper addition of EMs can enhance acid buffering capacity of the system,and the NH3-N concentration is lower than inhibition concentration of 2 g/L reported in the literature and maintain the range of pH value which is suitable for both hydrolysis-acidification and methanogenesis. However,overdose of EMs can reduce the initial pH value of septic sludge and decrease the effects of the anaerobic digestion. EMs can increase the quantity of microbe in septic sludge and improve the gas production and generation rate over a period of time. But overdosing EMs can lead to low pH,restrain activity of methanogenic bacteria and affect the quantity and the generation rate of gas. Adding 0.01% EMs achieves the highest sludge reduction with the removal rates of TS,VS and COD by 32.51%,42.34% and 40.97%,respectively.

Effects of the Soil-Derived Microorganism BX-1 on Chicken Newcastle Disease

In recent years, effective microorganisms (EMs) have been administered to humans and domestic animals, and their usefulness has been recognized for promoting health and enhancing immunity. For example, the preventative effects against flu are enhanced by ingestion of Lactobacillus by humans, and symptom relief of atopic dermatitis has been reported, with EMs actually used in commercial products. In addition, EM preparations are being used in livestock to prevent infections (e.g. Salmonella and Escherichia coli infection). In poultry, avian influenza and Newcastle disease are terrible and fatal infectious diseases that cause significant economic damage. Furthermore, countries designated as contaminated with these pathogens can experience major trade problems. Given the above, how to protect livestock from infections safely and at low cost without using disinfectants, antibiotics and vaccines is a major issue. In the present study, we examined whether or not Newcastle disease could be suppressed by feeding chickens BX-1 as an EM feed. A field strain of Newcastle virus was cloned from cloaca swabs of large numbers of dying chickens in a poultry farm in Indonesia by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and hemaggregation assays. Chicken kidney cells and embryonated eggs were highly sensitive to this virus, and high titers of virus were able to be collected. The experimental viral inoculated to chickens showed a high mortality rate, with high pathogenicity in birds. Conventional chickens were also raised on a diet supplemented with BX-1 and directly infected with the Newcastle virus. The mortality was decreased in these infected birds. Even the low dose of BX-1 had an inhibitory effect on the lethality of the infection. These results suggest that BX-1 intake through an EM diet is effective in controlling Newcastle disease.

Synergetic Inactivation of Microorganisms in Drinking Water by Short-term Free Chlorination and Subsequent Monochloramination

Objective To introduce synergetic inactivation of microorganisms in drinking water by short-term free chlorination for less than 15 minutes followed by monochloramination. Methods Indicator microorganisms such as Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Candida albicans, and spores of Bacillus subtilis were used to assess the efficiency of sequential chlorination and free chlorination. Results The sequential chlorination was more efficient in inactivating these microorganisms than free chlorination, indicating that synergy was provided by free chlorine and monochloramine. Ammonia addition time, temperature and pH had influences on this synergy. Conclusion The possible mechanism of this synergy might involve three aspects： free chlorine causing sublethal injury to microorganisms and monochloramine further inactivating them; different ability of free chlorine and monochloramine to penetrate and inactivate microorganism congeries; and higher concentration of residual chlorine in sequential chlorination than in free chlorination.

Preliminary Studies on Chlorimuron Degradation in Soil by Effective Microogranisms

A wheat （Triticum aestivurn L.） bioassay method was used for preliminary determination of chlorimuron degradation in soil by EM （effective microorganisms）. Under the conditions of this study, chlorimuron half-life was greater than 30-50 days in soil containing different initial concentrations of chlorimuron. After adding EM, chlorimuron degradation half-life ranged from 10-15 days, which was about 15-30 days shorter than without EM. Chlorimuron degradation was not significantly affected by EM populations applied at 50-200 mL·kg^-1. Both monopotassium phosphate and urea enhanced the ability of EM to degrade chlorimuron, but brown sugar had no significant effect.

Immunologically effective biomaterials-enhanced vaccines against infection of pathogenic microorganisms

Infectious diseases are severe public health events that threaten global health.Prophylactic vaccines have been considered as the most effective strategy to train the immune system to recognize and clear pathogenic infections.However,the existing vaccines against infectious diseases have several limitations,such as difficulties in mass manufacturing and storage,weak immunogenicity,and low efficiency of available adjuvants.Biomaterials,especially functional polymers,are expected to break through these bottlenecks based on the advantages of biocompatibility,degradability,controlled synthesis,easy modification,precise targeting,and immune modulation,which are excellent carriers and adjuvants of vaccines.This review mainly summarizes the application of immunologically effective polymers-enhanced vaccines against viruses-and bacteria-related infectious diseases and predicted their potential improvements.

Corn Leaf Water Retention as Affected by OrganicFertilizations and Effective Microbes Applications

Effects of organic fertilizers and effective microbes on leaf water retention of sweet corn (Zea mays L. cv.Honey-Bantam) were studied. Sweet corns were grown with organic or chemical fertilizers with or without effective microbes (EM). A water retention curve was obtained by drying the excised leaves under a light of 500 μmol (m2·s)-1. The curve shows two distinct phases. The initial steep slope indicates the water loss speed by stomatal transpiration (Est) and the gentle slope of the second phase indicates water loss speed by cuticular transpiration (Ecu). Both Est and Ecu were lower for leaves of plants grown with organic materials than for those with chemical fertilizers. Addition of EM to both organic and chemical fertilizers decreased Est but showed no effect on Ecu. The water retention ability of the excised leaves was proportional to photosynthetic maintenance ability under soil water deficit conditions as well as the solute concentration in leaves. The results suggested that organic fertilization and EM application increased water stress resistance both under in situ conditions and in excised leaves of sweet corn plants.

Ingredients from integral valorization of Isabel grape to formulate goat yogurt with stimulatory effects on probiotics and beneficial impacts on human colonic microbiota in vitro

Isabel grape(IG)products have high contents of phenolic compounds and fiber recognized for their positive impacts on microorganisms associated with health benefits to host.This study evaluated the effects of goat yogurts formulated with ingredients from IG integral valorization on the growth and metabolism of different probiotic strains,as well as on the population of selected bacterial groups and metabolic activity of human colonic microbiota in vitro.Goat yogurts with IG ingredients(IGI)stimulated the growth of tested Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium probiotic strains during a 48-h cultivation,as well as decreased the pH values and enhanced the organic acid production.Goat yogurts with IGI increased the population of Lactobacillus spp.and Bifidobacterium spp.during a 24-h in vitro colonic fermentation.A stable Firmicutes:Bacteroidetes ratio close to 1 was found in media with goat yogurt formulations during the colonic fermentation,being similar to the effect caused by fructooligosaccharides.Goat yogurt formulations with IGI caused increased production of short-chain fatty acids and sugar consumption during colonic fermentation.Goat yogurts with IGI should be a valuable strategy for development of novel added-value foods with beneficial effects on gut microbiota and human health.

生物炭改性及其对除草剂污染水体和土壤修复的研究进展

除草剂已被大量使用于现代农业生产,而长期使用除草剂可能造成其在土壤中大量残留,或通过降水、淋溶和径流污染水体,因此引发环境污染问题和食品安全问题。生物炭作为一种绿色、高效的吸附剂已被广泛用于修复有机物污染水体和土壤。本文介绍了酸碱、有机物和金属盐浸渍改性,纳米零价铁和微生物负载改性等生物炭改性方法;综述了改性生物炭在除草剂污染修复中的应用情况,对比分析了生物炭改性前后的修复效果;探讨了改性生物炭自身特性、环境条件对改性生物炭修复除草剂污染的影响及机制。未来仍需对改性生物炭在除草剂污染修复过程中的稳定性、长效性和安全性等方面开展研究。

根际微生物响应再生稻衰老的演变特征及其延效机制

探索根际微生物响应再生稻生育后期植株衰老进程的菌群演变规律及其生态对策是防止作物早衰发生,促进耕地土壤肥力和作物生产力协同提升的关键。本研究选用2个具有亲缘关系的常规再生稻品种黄华占(Huanghuazhan,HHZ)和丰华占(Fenghuazhan,FHZ)为供试材料,采用高通量测序等方法研究再生稻生育后期根际菌群随植株衰老进程而发生的多样变化、菌群演变生态策略和物种间生态位关系。结果表明,2个具有紧密亲缘关系的供试品种其生育后期的自然衰老变化趋于一致。但在同等施肥条件下,丰华占生育后期的所有相关生理指标衰败速度均明显高于黄华占,即呈现早衰现象,并显著影响其头季和再生季稻的干物质积累与籽粒灌浆结实,进而减产。进一步分析结果证实,根际微生物多样性与再生稻植株的衰老进程紧密关联,具体表现在随着再生稻生育后期的推进,FHZ根际微生物多样性Chao 1指数和Shannon指数下降幅度更大,根际微生物生态位宽度变小。进一步分析发现,HHZ头季稻成熟期较FHZ头季稻成熟期根际土壤显著提高了地杆菌属(Geobacter)、卤囊菌属(Haliangium)、亚硝酸盐氧化菌属(Candidatus_Nitrotoga)以及硝化螺菌属(Nitrospira)的相对丰度(0.61%、0.17%、0.42%和0.045%);而在慢生根瘤菌属(Bradyrhizobium)、鞘脂单胞菌属(Sphingomonas)以及芽单胞菌属(Gemmatimonas)上HHZ较FHZ显著下降了0.29%、0.76%和0.15%;HHZ根际上调的微生物在土壤的营养循环和有效性转化上起到重要功能作用,其根际土壤微生物生态位宽度比FHZ高36.81%,反映了根际微生物对资源利用的差异,是微生物适应土壤胁迫环境的生物印迹。本研究认为植物早衰发生是根际微生物生态对策的结果,再生稻头季植株根际土壤微生物群落结构差异对其再生季具有显著的延效作用。因此,加强再生稻头季后期的根际调控,强化根际土壤微生物菌群的合理构建,促进根际正效应形成,是活化土壤营养环境,防止再生稻早衰发生,进一步提升再生季稻产量的关键。