CELLULOSE DECOMPOSING MYXOBACTERIA

200 strains belonging to the order Myxobacterales were isolated from farm yard manure, compost, liquid manure and soil. These strains were tested for their ability to utilize cellulose. Most of the strains decomposed the cellulose. Myxobacteria decomposed 9-82 per cent of cellulose. They are mesophilic aerobic microorganisms. The highest degree of decomposition of cellulose by the different myxobacteria depends on the form of nitrogen in the substrate. The course of decomposition of cellulose is affected by the temperature.The highest degree of decomposition was at 28°C. The extreme temperatures (below 8°C, above 42°C) are not convenient for decomposition. The course of decomposition is affected by the moisture, too. Fairly good decomposition proceeded at 21 per cent moisture level. Moisture within 15-20 per cents accelerated the decomposition of cellulose. In the evaluation of the coenoses of cellulolytic microorgansms, myxobacteria are widely distributed microorganisms not only in farm yard manure but in the soil as well. Myxobacteria belong to typical soil flora and participate quite actively in the decomposition of cellulose in the soil. They are specially predominant cellulolytic microflora in manured soil. Therefore the biological activity of fertilized soil can be fairly estimated by the cellulolytic test