The use of Penicillium chrysogenum mycelium as a fertilizer.

Abstract

Waste mycelium from penicillin production is useful as a fertilizer, but its effect is largely that of other organic materials. Penicillium chrysogenum Thom. does not establish itself in the soil and its beneficial influence on soil structure is due to its utilization as a substrate by rapidly growing Mucorales. Residual, crude penicillin contained in the mycelium may have an effect on the soil bacteria, but was not effective as a systemic fungicide in water culture experiments. Any influence due to residual penicillin would be of short duration because the antibiotic is unstable at normal temperatures; autolysis of the mycelium is evident after about 24 hr. Mycelial extract had an adverse effect on the germination and growth of tomato seeds, indicating that it contained a plant growth substance such as indoleacetic acid.