Science Buddies: "Ask an Expert"

For my science project, i am going to see the effects of bacteria on plant growth in soil. I will plant 2 different pots of soil. The first will contain regular soil. The second will contain soil that doesnt contain the microbacteria that helps plant growth. My teacher wants me to make sure that there is microbacteria in the soil.

1. i need to get a statement to make sure there is microbacteria in soil that helps plant grow

2. i need to know the name of this microbacteria if there is

3. I need to know how to get rid of the microbacteria in the soil.

4. If anyone is willing to help, how would i perform this science project.

I will really appreciate it if you are willing to help me
Thank you so much!

This is a very good science project, but you should consider using at least five (5) pots of each soil.

You can take ordinary garden soil and bake it in an oven at 200 degrees F for an hour over three separate days. This treatment will kill any living organisms in the soil.

Plant growth promoting bacteria are generally in the Pseudomonas group. You will need specific growing media, sterilizing equipment and transfer tools to work with bacteria. I suggest you contact your local county agricultural office (if you have one) and talk with local microbiologists.

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Try these sites for more ideas.

Matt Mulanax

why would you use 5 pots instead of any other number?

Five is the minimum number you need for most statistical tests. You could certainly use more than five, but as a minimum you should probably use five.

The reason you want to use more than one is because something could go wrong with just one sample. If, for example, the seeds in one pot don't germinate at all you won't be able to answer your question. If you have 5+ pots, you have a much smaller chance of coming to the wrong conclusion because something odd happened.

The term "pot" for plants is relative. You can use a styrofoam coffee cup (8 ounces) all the way to a 50 gallon barrel.

For your project I suggest the styrofoam cup 8-10 ounces. Make sure to poke a hole with a pencil in the bottom for darinage. Excess water pushes oxygen from the soil mix and the plants and other organisms will eventually die.

Matt Mulanax

Do you have to work with bacteria? There are other organisms, such as micorrhizal fungi that might be easier to use. Mycorrhizal soil amendments are widely available in gardening stores, and do not require any special culturing techniques. You just mix them with the soil.

If you do need to use bacteria, I would suggest that you search the web for "plant growth–promoting rhizobacteria" as well as the suggestions already offered by the other experts.