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Abstract
SUMMARY: The only thermophilic actinomycetes found in composts made from lawn cuttings were members of the genus Micromonospora. The isolates obtained agreed in the main with the description of M. vulgaris (Tsiklinsky) Waksman, Umbreit & Cordon. Three strains have been studied in detail. They are true thermophiles, with an optimum range of growth 45–60°, and appear in abundance at the high-temperature phase of the compost, with a profuse production of aerial mycelium and spores. Spore germination is induced by heat activation, 5 min. at 85° securing growth under suboptimal conditions. Thin suspensions of spores in 1 % sucrose or in very dilute nutrient broth withstand 100° for periods of up to 45 min. Only very dense aqueous or saline suspensions are tolerant of these exposures. Surface growth on cellophan bearing a high density of aerial mycelium and spores withstands dry heating at 100° for 150 min. or at 106° for 5 min.
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