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Plant biopesticides can be an alternative to the use of synthetic chemicals in agriculture. Knotweeds (Reynoutria. japonica and Reynoutria. sachalinensis) are known as producers of biologically active substances including allelochemicals with fungicide properties. In this study we investigated the effect of the R. japonica Houtt. extract against the pure culture of Fusarium sp. ZhI isolated from leaves of strawberries infected by mycosis. The inhibitory effect of the R. japonica dealcoholized ethanol extract against the phytopathogenic fungus was shown at a concentration of 5%. The addition of the extract at this concentration to the growth medium reliably reduced the diameter of the Fusarium sp. ZhI colonies and its growth rate.

The work is focused on the selection of an appropriate substrate for solid-state fermentation using B. bassiana with the aim of a biopesticide production. The highest number of conidia was yielded during cultivation on polished rice moistened with water in a ratio of 1:1.5 and 1:2.

The productivity of three Trichoderma spp. on different media was compared. The tolerance to salinization and inoculation temperature in the process of solid-state cultivation were determined.

Fungi possess a range of light receptors to regulate metabolism and differentiation. To study the effect of light on Lentinula edodes (the shiitake mushroom), mycelial cultures were exposed to blue, green, and red fluorescent lights and light-emitting diodes, as well as green laser light. Biomass production, morphology, and pigment production were evaluated. Exposure to green light at intervals of 1 min/d at 0.4 W/m(2) stimulated biomass production by 50-100 %, depending on the light source. Light intensities in excess of 1.8 W/m(2) or illumination longer than 30 min/d did not affect biomass production. Carotenoid production and morphology remained unaltered during increased biomass production. These observations provide a cornerstone to the study of photoreception by this important fungus.