The morphology of Trichoderma reesei Rut C-30, during submerged cultivations in shake flask, was examined. The influence of the size inoculum and the composition of the fermentation medium on the morphology and cellulase production was studied. Different inoculum sizes were studied but the significative change in fungus morphology was observed for spores concentration between 10(5) and 10(7) spores/ml (i.e. 10(2) and 10(4) spores/ml in pre-culture medium). In the medium without Tween 80, at low inoculum size, the majority of the pellets were large and well individualized, in contrast, at higher inoculation densities small flocs were obtained, with higher production of soluble protein and higher filter paper activity. It was found that the average pellet size seems to be inversely proportional to the inoculum size. Medium composition, namely Tween 80, also influences the morphology of T. reesei Rut C-30 and enzyme production. The presence of Tween 80 in fermentation medium inhibited the pellet formation of this strain. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Inc. All rights reserved.