Effective Microorganisms (EM®) is a mixed culture of benecial microorganisms (primarily photosynthetic and lactic acid bacteria, yeast, actinomycetes, fermenting fungi) that can be applied as an inoculant to increase the microbial diversity of soils. This in turn can improve soil quality and health, which enhances the growth, yield and quality of crops. The concept of inoculating soils and plants with benecial microorganisms to create a more favourable microbiological environment for plant growth has been discussed for decades by agricultural scientists.