MORPHOLOGICAL AND CULTURAL, PHYSIOLOGICAL AND BIOCHEMICAL PECULIARITIES OF MICROMYCETES STRAINS INCLUDING IN THE COMPOSITION OF TRICHODERMA HARZIANUM 128 ASSOCIATION

Objective. Screen the active cellulolytic strains of Trichoderma micromycetes, investigate their morphological and cultural, physiological and biochemical properties for further use in the composting of organic substrates as a straw destroyer. Methods. Microbiological, biochemical, statistical. Results. 150 isolates of cellulolytic microscopic fungi of the genus Trichoderma were obtained from semi-decomposed straw. Among isolated fungi, the most active influence on the destruction of cellulose is typical for the association of micromycetes Trichoderma sp. 128. The components of the association (Trichoderma sp. 128/1 and Trichoderma sp. 128/2, respectively) differ in their nature of growth in the digest medium, colouring of colonies, and cellulolytic activity. Under simultaneous cultivation of the association components in a medium where the only source of carbon is filter paper or straw, higher effect was observed compared with than their separate cultivation. The selected association provides a degree of straw decomposition of up to 33 % over a period of 21 days, which exceeds the activity of the known cellulolytic strain Trichoderma harzianum F-2455. By morphological and cultural, physiological and biochemical properties, the components of the fungal association have been identified as Trichoderma harzianum 128/1 and T. harzianum 128/2 (association – Trichoderma harzianum 128, respectively). Under the study of virulence of microorganisms on the model of white mice, it was established that the association components are not pathogenic for warm-blooded animals, which allows the association to be used in the production. Conclusion. Active cellulolytic association of micromycetes which includes two strains has been selected. The association is identified as Trichoderma harzianum 128. The use of the association of micromycetes can be promising when composting organic matter, in order to accelerate its mineralization.