Introduction

Modern agriculture faces significant challenges due to its heavy reliance on synthetic chemicals, which disrupt the balance of soil microorganisms. This imbalance leads to soil degradation and reduced fertility, negatively affecting the soil food chain, a community of organisms essential for nutrient cycling. To address these challenges, regenerative agriculture offers solutions through natural methods aimed at restoring and improving soil health.

One effective approach in regenerative agriculture is the use of Indigenous Microorganisms (IMO). IMOs are local microorganisms found in natural environments such as soil, leaf litter, and other organic matter. By cultivating and applying IMO, farmers can enhance soil quality, increase fertility, and support plant health without relying on harmful chemical inputs. The use of IMO in regenerative farming focuses on strengthening the soil food chain by rebalancing the population of beneficial microbes.

Data and Impact of Chemical Use

The use of pesticides and chemical fertilizers has been shown to reduce soil microbial biodiversity by as much as 50%, leading to the loss of essential ecosystem functions such as organic decomposition and nitrogen cycling (Wardle et al., 2004). According to a study by the FAO (2015), healthy soil can support over 1,000 species of microorganisms per gram, while chemically degraded soil supports only a fraction of that number.

Detailed Technique for Cultivating Solid IMO for Regenerative Agriculture

Cultivating IMO for use in regenerative agriculture involves simple but effective techniques. Below are the detailed steps for cultivating solid IMO from bamboo leaf litter:

Materials Needed:

• Rice Bran: Acts as a source of carbon and energy for microorganisms.
• Humus from Bamboo Clumps: Rich in microorganisms needed for the fermentation process.
• EM4: A product containing beneficial microorganisms used to accelerate fermentation. Dilute in water at a ratio of 1:18.
• Dried Bamboo Leaves: Used as a cover to maintain moisture and protect the pile from direct sunlight.
• Tarpaulin or Plastic Sheet: To cover the pile during the fermentation process, maintaining partially anaerobic conditions.

Steps:

1. Prepare the Materials: Collect humus from the bamboo clumps, rich in leaf litter and natural microbes. Mix the humus with rice bran in a 1:1 ratio.
2. Apply EM4: Once the humus and rice bran mixture is prepared, sprinkle the diluted EM4 solution over it. Ensure the mixture is moist but not wet.
3. Cover and Ferment: Cover the mixture with dried bamboo leaves, then seal it tightly with tarpaulin or plastic to maintain moisture and create optimal fermentation conditions. Allow fermentation to take place for 5 days.
4. Stirring: On day 5, turn the pile to ensure proper aeration and uniform fermentation. This step is crucial to maintain the balance of aerobic and anaerobic microbes.
5. Harvesting: After 10 days, the solid IMO is ready to be harvested. This IMO is rich in local microorganisms and is ready for application to soil or to be used as a base for making compost tea.

Technique for Making IMO-Based Compost Tea in Regenerative Agriculture

IMO-based compost tea is a nutrient-rich solution that can be applied to both soil and plants. In regenerative farming, this compost tea functions as a liquid organic fertilizer that enhances soil microbial activity, improves soil structure, and provides nutrients that are easily absorbed by plants.

Materials:

• Solid IMO Culture: 1-2 cups. The main source of beneficial microorganisms to be developed in the compost tea.
• Vermicompost: 2-3 cups. Provides additional microorganisms and essential nutrients for plants.
• Worm Hydrolysate: 1-2 tablespoons. A source of protein and amino acids necessary for microbial growth.
• Chopped Banana Peels: 1-2 cups. Provides potassium and additional nutrients that support plant health.
• Calliandra Leaves: 1-2 cups, finely chopped. Contains nitrogen and bioactive compounds that support microbial growth.
• Brown Sugar: 2-3 tablespoons. A source of carbon to feed the microorganisms during fermentation.
• Non-Chlorinated Water: 5 gallons (approximately 19 liters). Water used must be free of chlorine to prevent the death of microorganisms in the compost tea.

Steps:

1. Mix the Ingredients: Add all materials to a large container filled with 5 gallons of non-chlorinated water. Stir well to ensure all ingredients are evenly mixed.
2. Aerate: Use an aerator or air pump to introduce oxygen into the mixture for 24-48 hours. Aeration is essential for fostering the growth of beneficial aerobic microbes in compost tea.
3. Strain: After the fermentation process is complete, strain the mixture to separate the solids from the liquid. The resulting liquid is nutrient-rich compost tea ready for use.

Application and Dilution of Compost Tea

Once the compost tea is ready, the next step is to dilute and apply it according to the type of plant. Dilution is necessary to ensure that the concentration of nutrients and microorganisms is not too high, which could cause stress to the plants.

Dilution:

• Dilution Ratio: Dilute the compost tea with non-chlorinated water at a ratio of 1:10 (1 part compost tea to 10 parts water).

Application for Different Plants:

• Green Onions:

  • Dosage: 250-500 ml per plant.
  • Frequency: Every 2-3 weeks.
  • Application Method: Soil drench or foliar spray. Applying to the soil helps improve soil structure and nutrient availability, while foliar spraying provides direct nutrients to the leaves.

• Cabbage:

  • Dosage: 500 ml per plant.
  • Frequency: Every 2-3 weeks.
  • Application Method: Soil drench. This method is effective for improving soil health and providing the nutrients needed for optimal cabbage growth.

• Tomatoes:

  • Dosage: 500 ml per plant.
  • Frequency: Every 2 weeks.
  • Application Method: Soil drench or foliar spray. Tomatoes require consistent nutrition, and compost tea can help meet their needs.

• Chili Peppers:

  • Dosage: 250-500 ml per plant.
  • Frequency: Every 2-3 weeks.
  • Application Method: Soil drench or foliar spray. This will help improve chili pepper resistance to diseases and increase yield.

• Coffee:

  • Dosage: 1-2 liters per mature plant.
  • Frequency: Every 4-6 weeks.
  • Application Method: Soil drench. Coffee plants receiving additional nutrients from compost tea will show better growth and higher yields.

• Bananas:

  • Dosage: 2-4 liters per mature plant.
  • Frequency: Every 4-6 weeks.
  • Application Method: Soil drench. Bananas regularly treated with compost tea will be more resilient to environmental stress and more productive.

Conclusion

In regenerative agriculture, IMO-based compost tea offers a natural and effective solution for improving soil fertility and plant health. By employing solid IMO cultivation techniques and incorporating local organic materials like vermicompost, worm hydrolysate, and calliandra leaves, farmers can create a potent, nutrient-rich liquid fertilizer. This compost tea not only enriches the soil with beneficial microbes but also provides essential nutrients that support plant growth. In regenerative farming, IMO-based compost tea helps restore the soil food chain, enhance soil structure, and bring back the microbial balance disrupted by chemical inputs in modern agriculture. Applying compost tea to plants boosts productivity and resilience to environmental stress, supporting a healthier and more sustainable agricultural system.

References

Higa, T., & Parr, J. F. (1994). Beneficial and Effective Microorganisms for a Sustainable Agriculture and Environment. International Nature Farming Research Center.
Wardle, D. A., Yeates, G. W., Williamson, W. M., & Bonner, K. I. (2004). The influence of plant species on ecosystem properties. Journal of Ecology, 92(1), 149-157.
FAO. (2015). Status of the World’s Soil Resources (SWSR) – Main Report. Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations.

Contributor:

Meiardhy Mujianto