Abstract:
The soil Fungus Penicillium chrysogenum was choosen, as test organism, from 10 soil samples and pathogenic fungi were tested for their response to salinity stress induced by different concentrations of NaCl. Its growth was increased in NaCl content up to 18%, where as on 19% NaCl its spores germinated only. The maximum vegetative growth was recorded on medium containing 10% NaCl. Intracellular total free amino acid pool was severely reduced to about 40-50% with increased salinity. The glycerol pool may balance the osmotic pressure in culture media of 5,10,15 and 18% NaCl. Exposure of P.chrysogenum to salt stress resulted in fungal resistance to gamma-irradiation. The accumulated 4 amino acids, either singly or in association with other amino acids, may contribute to induce gamma-irradiation tolerance.