Comparative ecological and physiological characteristics of Penicillium chrysogenum Thom 1910 strains found on the territory of Surgut

The paper deals with ecological and physiological properties of four strains of the species Penicillium chrysogenum Thom 1910, taken on the territory of Surgut from soil, water and the surface of synthetic polymers, depending on the source of carbon nutrition and temperature. The author also considers phytotoxic properties of these strains in relation to several test objects. The cultural and morphological characteristics of the strains are similar to each other in places with sucrose, lactose, mannitol, starch and cellulose, and are variable in places with sorbitol and glycerol. The highest average values of the radial growth rate were recorded in places with alcohols – sorbitol and glycerine. General cultural and morphological characteristics are typical for strains when cultivated in the same temperature regime; a low temperature of +5°C contributes more to the growth of colonies than a high temperature of +37°C, the optimal one is +25°C; the obtained data confirm that P. chrysogenum belongs to mesophilic (psychrotolerant) species. All strains are toxic to radish seedlings; variably toxic to wheat seedlings, Canada water weed and duckweed and non-toxic to wheat and radish seeds. The obtained results can be used for studying the ecology of P. chrysogenum strains, as well as for identifying this species.