This standard specifies a method for the direct extraction of DNA from soil samples for the analysis of the general structure and abundance of soil bacterial communities using PCR-based techniques. This process is primarily intended for agricultural and forest soil. This method may be suitable for soil with a high organic content (e.g. peat soil) or soil heavily contaminated with organic contaminants or heavy metals. Direct extraction of DNA from soil samples provides a unique insight into species richness and microbial community structure, which are key parameters for estimating the biodiversity of soil microflora and fauna. Molecular techniques based on the amplification of soil DNA by PCR (polymerase chain reaction) represent a promising area and may contribute in the near future to the development of routine tools that allow the estimation of soil properties. Users of this standard should note that although the soil for DNA extraction is carefully sieved (2 mm sieve, procedure described in 5.1), plant residues may still remain in the soil samples and thus traces of plant DNA may contaminate the soil extract can.
EN ISO 11063:2013 Referenced Document
ISO 10381-6:2009 Soil quality - Sampling - Part 6: Guidance on the collection, handling and storage of soil under aerobic conditions for the assessment of microbiological processes, biomass and diversity in the laboratory
EN ISO 11063:2013 history
2020EN ISO 11063:2020 Soil quality - Direct extraction of soil DNA (ISO 11063:2020)
2013EN ISO 11063:2013 Soil quality - Method to directly extract DNA from soil samples