(JP6141672-A)      The soil improvement is carried out by directly applying, on the soil of land for greening, agriculture/forestry, a mixed culture obtd. by symbiotically mixed-culturing, in a thermophilic environment at 60 deg. C or over, the thermophilic cellulose-decomposing Clostridium thermocellum biovar SK522 (FERM BP-3459) (I) and Thermus aquaticus SK542 (FERM BP-3382) (II), or an organic material-fermenting decomposant composed of these bacteria as its active components. (I) has lignin-solubility, growing at a temp. ranging 40-80 deg. C with an optimal growth temp. of 65-72 deg. C, and vigorously fermenting cellulose. (II) is obligate aerobic, with an optimal growth temp. of 72-76 deg. C, growing at a temp. ranging 40-82 deg. C in a medium of normal concn.; and producing carotinoid yellow pigments, and hyperthermal broad-range-action-pH proteinases that act at an optimal temp. of 75-85 deg. C with an action pH of 4.0-11.3.    ADVANTAGE -   The symbiotic mixed culture effectively solubilises lignin, decomposes cellulose, and powerfully decomposes protein, thereby rapidly ferment-decomposing plant or animal dead bodies remaining or applied in the soil, thereby accelerating humification, making the soil fertile, eventually making the structure of the soil favourable.    (JP95095898-B2)      A thermophilic cellulose-decomposing bacterium Clostridium thermocellum biovar.SK522 (FERM BP-3459), which is able to solubilise lignin, has optimum growth temp. of 65-72 deg.C, grows in the range 40-80 deg.C and ferments cellulose energetically, is new.    Also claimed is a thermus aquaticus biovar. SK542 (FERM BP-3382) which is completely aerobic, has optimum growth temp. 72-76 deg.C, will grow in the range 40-82 deg.C, produces a thermophilic protease (having optimum working temp. 75-85 deg.C, working pH 4.0-11.3) and produces a yellow carotenoid pigment.    The bacterial strains are used together as a mixed culture at 60 deg.C or higher. They may be formulated into an organic material decompsn. agent which may also contain vitamins, amino acids and other micronutrients and minerals.    USE -   The bacteria are used in lignin solubilisation treatment of organic materials contg. lignin and/or cellulose (e.g. deodorisation of excreta and mfr. of organic fertiliser) and soil conditioning.    (US5648264-A)      A composition for use in decomposing organic material containing lignin or cellulose and a culture comprising a thermocellulolytic bacterium Clostridium thermocellum biovar. Nov. SK522 FERM BP-345 g) capable of solubilising lignin and fermenting cellulose excellently, having a growth temperature limit of 40-80 C., and a growth optimum temperature of 65-72 C.    (US5733741-A)      A thermophilic cellulose-decomposing bacterium Clostridium thermocellum biovar.SK522 (FERM BP-3459), which is able to solubilise lignin, has optimum growth temp. of 65-72 deg.C, grows in the range 40-80 deg.C and ferments cellulose energetically, is new.    Also claimed is a thermus aquaticus biovar. SK542 (FERM BP-3382) which is completely aerobic, has optimum growth temp. 72-76 deg.C, will grow in the range 40-82 deg.C, produces a thermophilic protease (having optimum working temp. 75-85 deg.C, working pH 4.0-11.3) and produces a yellow carotenoid pigment.    The bacterial strains are used together as a mixed culture at 60 deg.C or higher. They may be formulated into an organic material decompsn. agent which may also contain vitamins, amino acids and other micronutrients and minerals.    USE -   The bacteria are used in lignin solubilisation treatment of organic materials contg. lignin and/or cellulose (e.g. deodorisation of excreta and mfr. of organic fertiliser) and soil conditioning.