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Abstract
EM or Effective Microorganisms is a microbial inoculant containing many kinds of naturally occurring beneficial microbes. Maple EM-1(Expired and Non-Expired) is activated using ricewater and jaggery separately. Fruit and vegetable wastes were collected and inoculated with Activated Non expired Jaggery EM, Activated Non expired Rice water EM, Activated Expired Jaggery EM and Activated Expired Rice water EM respectively. The physical (Odour, Appearance and Colour) chemical (pH, Salinity, Conductivity, TDS, DO, BOD and Temperature) and biological (Population of Coliforms including E.coli, Lactobacillus population, Yeast population and Actinomyces population) parameters of leachate from each sample are examined at an interval of 7 days. There was a generation of alcohol and vinegar like smell in the due process other than non offensive smell. Chemical parameters such as pH, TDS (Total Dissolved Solids) and BOD shows a declining trend. An increase in Salinity, conductivity and Dissolved Oxygen (DO) was also observed. While analysing the biological parameters a steady decrease in Non EM organisms are seen. Lactobacillus, Actinomyces and yeast populations almost doubled within 14 days compared to control. It can be concluded that jaggery is the best activator of Maple EMcompost a method of waste disposal at a low cost.