In the Pisco region of Peru, on the coastal desert where soil fatigue and pest pressure are constant challenges for fruit producers, a 36-hectare table grape operation made a deliberate shift toward biological soil management. The results — documented by EM Research Organization (EMRO) — offer a detailed case study of what consistent fermented microbial application can do to a commercial vineyard operation over four seasons.
Agrícola SERENGUETI S.A.C. grows “Autumn Crisp” table grapes for the export market, where fruit quality standards are demanding: berry size must reach 32mm or more, firmness must survive the cold chain, and volume must be consistent season to season. When the farm integrated EM Technology across its entire production system, those benchmarks didn’t just hold — they improved.
The operation applied EM·1 (a fermented microbial inoculant containing lactic acid bacteria, photosynthetic bacteria, and yeasts) at 20 liters per hectare per season, delivered primarily through the irrigation system so that the biology reached the root zone consistently throughout the season. Pruning and thinning residues were left in the rows as mulch with EM·1 applied on top to accelerate their decomposition into humus — effectively turning what was previously waste into a continuous fertility input.
Over four years, the farm documented the following outcomes: yields of 40,000 kg of exportable grapes per hectare, with berries consistently meeting the 32mm export diameter standard; complete elimination of synthetic nematicides, with no nematode damage observed despite coastal conditions favorable to nematode pressure; significant reduction in Powdery Mildew and Downy Mildew incidence, attributed to the biological barrier created by foliar EM application; measurable increase in fine absorptive root hairs, with root systems described as healthy and vigorous; and reduced fertilizer expenditures through improved nutrient cycling and biological nitrogen fixation in the soil.
The farm’s approach illustrates a key principle behind microbial programs in perennial crops: when soil biology is given time and consistent inputs, the soil itself becomes a more stable growing environment. The microbiological balance that developed in the root zone at Agrícola SERENGUETI appears to have functioned as a living buffer against pest and disease pressure — reducing the need for synthetic intervention without sacrificing yield.
A particularly notable element of their program was the EM Mulch system: rather than removing pruning residues from the field, the farm left all organic matter in the rows and applied microbial inoculant directly to it. This on-field composting approach converted former waste into a continuous source of humus and macrofauna activity — including increased earthworm populations — without the cost or logistics of external composting.
For growers in other regions facing similar pressures — continuous cropping fatigue, escalating chemical resistance in pathogens, or high input costs — this case provides a documented benchmark of what biology-first soil management may support over a multi-year program.
Disclaimer: Results from this case reflect a specific farm, climate, soil type, and management system. Application outcomes may vary. This material is educational and does not replace professional agronomic advice.
Source: EM Research Organization (EMRO). Export-Quality Table Grapes Through Regenerative Agriculture — Agrícola SERENGUETI S.A.C., Pisco, Peru. Published March 2026. https://emrojapan.com/em/case/export-quality-table-grapes-through-regenerative-agriculture/