What is the primary function of a soil sterilant?

The primary function of a soil sterilant is to kill or inhibit all plant growth. These substances are specifically designed to eliminate a wide range of vegetation, including desired plants, weeds, and other potential sources of competition for nutrients and water in the soil. Soil sterilants can be essential in situations where complete eradication of existing plants is necessary, such as preparing a site for construction, agriculture, or when dealing with invasive plant species.

In contrast, boosting plant nutrition focuses on enhancing the growth conditions for plants but does not involve the destruction of existing plants. Enhancing soil drainage concerns improving the ability of soil to drain excess water, which may help plants but is unrelated to killing or inhibiting their growth. Attracting beneficial organisms is aimed at fostering a healthy ecosystem in the soil, which also does not align with the function of a soil sterilant, as the latter would disrupt such biological activities by eliminating living plant matter and potentially impacting many soil-dwelling organisms.