Does fumigating soil with aluminum phosphide sterilizes the soil effectively? is it as good as autoclaving?
Aluminium phosphide is effective to small verminous mammals such as moles and rodents. But if you want to remove all microbes from the soil then it is better to go for autoclaving.
Depend on the extent of sterilization (bacteria, fungi, pests....etc). Two of the most effective evaporation types for soil sterilization are phosphide aluminum and methyl bromide. So that methyl bromide sterilizes the soil as insecticiders and in killing of nematodes and weed seeds, but it is also used in fumigation of warehouses. Various forms of aluminium phosphide (i.e. tablets, pellets and sachets) are considered as RESTRICTED USE PESTICIDES because of the toxicity resulted from severe inhalation of phosphine gas.
The most effective fumigants are aluminum phosphide and methyl bromide. Methyl bromide essentially sterilizes soil when applied because it kills insects, nematodes, and weed seed, but it is also used to fumigate warehouses, depends upon conditions. Aluminum phosphide (ALP) is a fumigant used to protect stored commodities (grain, rice, dried fruits, tobacco ...) from insects and burrowing pests. When exposed to atmospheric moisture, Aluminium phosphide generates phosphine gas (PH3) which is highly toxic to insects at all life stages and to burrowing pests. Aluminum phosphide (AlP) is a cheap, effective and commonly used pesticide. However, unfortunately, it is now one of the most common causes of poisoning among agricultural pesticides. It liberates lethal phosphine gas when it comes in contact either with atmospheric moisture or with hydrochloric acid in the stomach.
AlP + 3H2O → Al (OH)3 + PH3
AlP + 3HCl → AlCl3 + PH3
Fumigation for control of infestation can be employed in two ways: prophylactic, where a treatment is carried out routinely, usually shortly after intake, even if no insects or mites is found on inspection; or tactically when it is carried out at the first signs of infestation.
Methyl bromide was used for soil sterilization at EMPRAPPA, Brazil by Dobereiner group
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