Chitinolytic and proteolytic activity of streptomycetes isolated from root-free soil,rhizosphere and mycorrhizosphere of pine (Pinus sylvestris L.)

Summary We tested 75 strains of Streptomyces spp. (25 taken from each environment of soil, rhizosphere, and mycorrhizosphere of pine, Pinus sylvestris L.) and all exhibited chitinolytic activity and hydrolysed gelatine and sodium caseinate in agar media. Enrichment of these media with glucose and NH₄NO₃ caused induction or stimulation of proteolytic Streptomyces spp. strains (80%) derived from root-free soil; inhibition of this activity was observed in most strains (92%) isolated from the root zone. The post-culture liquids of the rhizosphere strains cultured in the absence of glucose revealed a significantly higher proteolytic activity than those obtained from the root-free soil. The addition of glucose to the medium stimulated proteolytic activity in the post-culture broth of Streptomyces strains derived from soil and the mycorrhizosphere.