Plant Tissue by Ignition or Ashing method (SOM) protocol

[Danielcalza]

1. Weigh 0.2-0.5 soil or tissue into a 50-ml beaker. Record the weight of the beaker and total weight of the beaker and soil.
2. Place the beaker into a muffle furnace and make a map for the sample order because the written number on the glass beaker will be erased by the heat. Turn on MF. Set temperature at 250 C and maintain at this temperature for 30 mins. Increase temperature to 400 C and maintain for 04 hours.
   • Turn off MF and let the samples cool off in the MF until they are safe to remove (24 hours). Weight the samples immediately after they are removed from the MF to avoid moisture build up inside.
3. Record the total weight of the beaker and ash for Loss On Ignition (LOI) calculations. *

*Yu Wang, referenced.

Operating Muffle Furnace

• First set muffle temperature 250 C, 30-minute steps:
  1. Press scroll until "SP1"
  2. Press up or down until 250 C.
  3. Press scroll until "SP.RAT"
  4. Press up or down until "OFF" (No Ramp)
  5. Press scroll until "TM.CFG"
  6. Press up or down until "DWELL"
  7. Press up or down until 30 minutes. (4 hours).
  8. Press "PAGE" and scroll together for actual temperature
  9. Press scroll until "T.STAT"
  10. Press up or down until "RUN"
  11. Press "PAGE" for actual temperature
• Second set MF temperature to 550 C, 4 hours, repeat steps 1-11.

[Danielcalza]

I wanted to write it out for a few reasons, mainly to clarify with you all. Please feel free to make any corrections. The original document has some highlights and notes that I wasn't sure of.

[Danielcalza]

Methods have been updated.