I want to kill the existing microorganism in the soil and then inoculate another microorganism to exclude the effect of the existing microbe on my soil. Does anyone know how to kill the existing microbes in soil and how to extract the microbes from soil? Is there any standard methods? Thanks very much.
Dear Liu,
You can go for steam sterilization to sterilize the soil for microbiological purpose.
Single steam sterilization is not enough for soil sterilization; but, repetition for twice or thrice after gap(s) makes sterile.
For quick sterilization of soil, sun drying could be done. Other wise intermittent sterilization for 3 consequent days is prescribed for soil sterilization.
Surely steam sterilization acts quick and fast , but remains to be assessed again for any possible culturable microbes still left , since your objective is to inoculate new ones...However , conventionally , we follow solar sterilization, especially during summer months ..
Dear Liu
Sterilizing Soil with Steam: sterilize potting soil and should be done for at least 30 minutes or until the temperature reaches 180 F. (82 C.).
Sterilizing Soil with an Oven: You can also use the oven to sterilize soil. For the oven, put some soil (about 4 inches deep) in an oven-safe container, like a glass or metal baking pan, covered with foil at 180-200 F. (82-93 C.) for at least 30 minutes
Sterilizing Soil with a Microwave: you can place two pounds of moist soil in a polypropylene bag. Put this in the microwave with the top left open for ventilation. Heat the soil for 2 to 2 1/2 minutes on full power (650 watt oven).
For quick sterilization of soil is intermittent sterilization for 3 consequent days is prescribed for soil sterilization.
Sterilization by autoclaving can alter soil properties and this could be a problem if you want to compare your results with an "unsteralized group". The sterilization of soil with gamma radiation (about 60 kGy, the dose depends on the biological activity of the material) is the best way to sterilize soil for your purposes
Attached pdf file for your purpose
sern
Here are some relevant literature on SOIL STERILIZATION , hope you like them.
Soil Sterilized by Irradiation(sterilization of soil by exposure to an electron beam offers new tool for research on chemistry and microbiology of soil) and othe rmethods ..PDF s enclosed
There is a strain of bacteria that survives sterilisation at 121 oC called Strain 121 and another Methanopyrus kandleri at 122 oC. I would advise steam sterilisation of the soil three times. I am not sure if there is a quick method without altering the chemistry of the soil.
Good day all,
In furtherance to the above question, I want to ask that assuming one is not innoculating new microorganisms, what is the best way to sterilize the soil without killing the useful microorganisms in the soil?
There is a large number of papers on microwave sterilization, going back to 1976. An old method is KMnO4, but I only found references from 1905 and 1908! The latter getting into andecdotal/rather than scientific realm.
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