3. Topic: Analysis Of Soil Microbes By
Buried Slide Technique.
Prepared by:Bakhtawar Rafiq.
4. Qualitative Examination Of The Soil
Microflora By Buried Slide Method:
One of the most interesting methods for the
qualitative examination of soil was proposed in 1930
by Cholodny. The method is known as the "buried
slide" or the "contact slide" technique.
5. Material:
1. Glass Container of 5-10 cm with loosely fitted covers.
2. Clean glass Slides.
3. Organic amendment for soil treatment (peptone or
legume meals, or sone other high-nitrogen material).
4. Spatula
5. Sharp knife.
6. Beakers, 100-ml.
7. Phenoline rose bengal stain
6. Procedure:
1. Weigh out 100g of soil for each container if soil is to be
studied in the laboratory. To some of the containers add 1
percent organic amendment and mix well with the soil.
Moisten soil to approximately the moisture equivalent. If
soil in to be used in the field choose locations that will
remain moist.
2. Make a narrow alit in the soil with a spatula, insert a clean
glass slide vertically with about 20-30 mm exponed above
the soil. . Cover soil loosely to prevent drying.
7. 3. Recover Slides from soil at different intervals after about 1
week of incubation.
4. As each slide is recovered take care to leave one side with
attached soil undisturbed. Remove the larger soil particles by
gentle flooding with water, and clean the other side. Allow the
slide to air dry.
5. Place the slides across the top of a beaker of boiling water.
allow phanoline rose bengal for 10 minutes. Be careful to add
stain as necessary during o that the stain does not dry.
8. 6. Wash the Slide thoroughly to remove excess Stain. After
drying examine . Examine further with the oil immersion lens
without use of a cover slip.
7. Compare the microscopic appearance of contact slides
taken from treated and untreated soils. Bacteria and
microbial filaments on the basis of morphology and staining.
Micro organisam should stain a deep pink or red color, mineral
particles will be unstained, and inert organic matter will
appear mostly yellow, unstained, or a light pink.
8. Observe the microbial cells, characteristic formations,
quality difference related to soil treatment or incubation time,
and the relationships of micro organisms to each other and to
soil particles.
