Cellulolyic and pectinolyic abilities of some aquatic pythium species isolated from pond water

Aquatic Pythium species isolated from pond water were examined in this study. All the tested species produced CMC-ase in varying amounts with different amounts. P. coloratum, P. diclinum, P. myriotylum and P. ultimum var. ultimum proved to be strong CMC-ase in varying amounts with different amounts and strong CMC-ase producers, while the others were weak producers. None of tested species produced PME. Fungi under investigation produced enzymes of endo-PG type only in trace amounts, while there was no production of exo-type. Canada enzyme was only detected in culture filtrates of P. coloratum, P. Diclinum, P. myriotylum and P. ultimum var. ultimum. None of the tested pythia was able to decompose filter paper, except P. fluminum which proved to be an active taxon

Role of cellulose decomposing fungi on azospirillum-maize association

A greenhouse pot experiment and sand cultures were used to examine the possible role of cellulose decomposing fungi in Azospirillum-maize association. Soil amendment with 0.2% straw and inoculation with Azospirillum lipoferum [strain Z 4/1] gave the highest densities of Azospirillum in the histosphere of maize plants and higher growth parameters. Other diazotrophic bacteria of plant free soils were stimulated with a straw amendment. Fifteen genera and 22 species of cellulose decomposing fungi were isolated on cellulose-Czapek's agar medium from pots amended with straw. The total count of these fungi increased significantly with straw amendment. The most common cellulose decomposers were Aspergillus niger, Penicillium funiculosum and Trichoderma harzianum. In sand cultures amended with straw, nitrogenase activity, total nitrogen, residual and straw utilized by co-cultures of Azospirillum brasilense [strain R6/1] and cellulose decomposing fungi were studied