MICROSCOPIC FUNGI PRODUCING NITROUS-OXIDE IN NUTRIENT MEDIA AND IN STERILE SOIL

Different species of soil micromycetes from the classes Deuteromycetes and Ascomycetes were found to produce nitrous oxide under low partial pressure of oxygen and the presence of nitrites in the medium. The em ission of nitrous oxide by micromycetes during their development in th e soil was first demonstrated. The activity of nitrous oxide produced by fungi was several orders lower than denitrifying bacteria. However, it is realistic to assume that this phenomenon can have environmental importance as a source of nitrous oxide input into the atmosphere.