ENDO-1,4-BETA-GLUCANASE PRODUCTION BY STACHYBOTRYS ELEGANS, A MYCOPARASITE OF RHIZOCTONIA-SOLANI

The in vitro production of cellulases (endo-beta-1,4-glucanases) by St achybotrys elegans, a mycoparasite of the soilborne plant pathogen Rhi zoctonia solani, was examined under various culture conditions such as carbon and nitrogen sources, pH, and growth period. Production of cel lulases is strongly stimulated by the incorporation of cellulose into the medium, whereas it is repressed by the addition of glucose. Cellul ase production is maximal at a pH 5.0 and in media containing NaNO3 as nitrogen source. The results suggest that cellulases are induced and subjected to catabolite repression.