CELLULOLYTIC ACTIVITY OF TRICHODERMA VIRIDE WITH REGARD TO SELECTED LIGNOCELLULOSIC WASTE MATERIALS

The aim of the study was to assess the cellulolytic activity of a strain of Trichoderma viride in the presence of three lignocellulosic substrates, i.e. wheat, barley, and maize straw, in different temperatures (25 °C, 30 °C and 35 °C). Research related to the biosynthesis of enzymes was conducted using the deep method, whereas enzyme activity was assessed on solid media with added carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC). The assessment was based on the activity index (AI) determined for each object of research. The obtained results indicate that T. viride produces cellulolytic enzymes, and that their level of activity depends on the type of material introduced into the culture as a lignocellulosic substrate as well as on the temperature. The highest value of AI was found in objects with added maize straw. The optimal temperature for the biosynthesis of cellulolytic enzymes equalled 30 °C

ECOTOXICOLOGICAL EFFECTS OF BIODIESEL IN THE SOIL

The paper analysed the toxic effect of the presence of biodiesel in the soil. The study involved tests with microorganisms that evaluated changes in their number and activity, and phytotoxicity tests with garden cress (Lepidium sativum) and spring barley (Hordeum vulgare). Biodiesel produced in laboratory conditions and biofuel purchased at a petrol station were introduced to the soil. Two levels of contamination were used – 1% and 5% (per dry mass of the soil). Based on the results, it was discovered that biofuels both stimulated and reduced the number and activity of microorganisms. The changes observed depended on the type of biofuel and, most often, on its dose. Laboratory biodiesel exhibited more toxic effects, especially for actinobacteria and fungi. The tested plants showed diverse sensitivity to the presence of biodiesel. Given the determined value of the germination index, laboratory biodiesel was more toxic to spring barley and commercial biofuel to garden cress. In both cases, toxicity increased with an increase in the amount of biofuel

NUMBER AND ACTIVITY OF MICROORGANISMS IN SOIL INOCULATED WITH THE RHIZOCELL C BIOPREPARATION IN STRAWBERRY CULTIVATION (FRAGARIA × ANANASA DUCH.)

An experiment involving vegetation pots was conducted to assess the effect of inoculating the soil with the Rhizocell C biopreparation, which includes bacteria from the genus Bacillus amyloliquefaciens IT45, on the number and activity of selected groups of soil microorganisms. The biopreparation was applied in strawberries (Fragaria × ananasa Duch.) in a dose recommended by the manufacturer. Microbiological analyses were conducted four times during the vegetation of plants. The obtained results led to a conclusion that the use of biopreparation affects biological activity of soil, and a majority of the observed changes were beneficial. The mean number of the most microorganisms after Rhizocell C biopreparation was higher than in the control object. Soil inoculation had an influence on the activity of microorganisms determined based on biomass content, but the differences were not significant