CELLULASE ACTIVITY AND SUCCESSION OF FUNGI IN SOIL AMENDED WITH SODIUM-CHLORIDE, ORGANIC-MATTER AND CA-SUPERPHOSPHATE

The fungal population in soil amended with 2.5, 5 and 10% sodium chloride, sodium chloride with either 5% organic matter or 1% Ca-superphosphate and incubated at 25 degrees C was studied after 2, 4 and 8 weeks. Sixty-six species and 5 varieties belonging to 35 genera were isolated from the treated and untreated soils on glucose-, cellulose- and 10% NaCl-C-ZAPEK's agar at 25 degrees or 45 degrees C. The total propagules, total counts of Aspergillus and counts of several species were significantly promoted with the low concentration of NaCl (2.5%) and decreased with the rise of NaCl levels. Also, the total counts of fungi were significantly flourished in soil amendment with sodium chloride when combined with organic matter or fertilizer after some storage periods. Several glucophilic, cellulose- decomposing, xerophilic and thermophilic fungi were found to tolerate the previous conditions. The cellulolytic activities of most isolates tested were inhibited either by sodium chloride or combined with superphosphate and organic matter.