The Partial Sterilisation of Soils

Abstract

THE work to be described in this article arose, as so often happens, out of an accident in the laboratory. The writer was investigating the rate of oxidation of phosphorus, and during the progress of the work was called to take charge of an agriculural laboratory. Before finally disbanding the apparatus some observations were made on soils, and it was found that fertile soils absorbed oxygen more rapidly than non-fertile soils of the same character. Since the action was very considerably reduced in sterilised soils it was concluded that the process is largely due to the activity of micro-organisms, and the connection,between oxygen absorption and fertility was attributed to the large part played by microorganisms in the production of plant food.