Degradation of macromolecules by micro-fungi isolated from different podzolic soil horizons

Abstract:
The abilities of 60 species of soil microfungi to decompose protein, xylan. cellulose. and chitin were tested with an agar diffusion technique. Proteolytic capacity was shown by 51 species; 35 were xylanolytic, 31 were cellulolytic, and 23 were chitinolytic. The importance of the physiological capacities of soil fungi in determining the communities in different soil horizons is discussed.