[striker]

Could u use a Germicidal lamp to sterilize agar in a petri dish? would it be as effective as an autoclave?

grateful for any thought 

[Arkcon]

I'd expect it wouldn't be as through, so if you wanted to perform research reliably, you wouldn't want to work under this sort of handicap.  Consider for yourself, how many plates would you have to sterilize by UV, compared to how many plates that were autoclaved, until you were satisfied they were suitable for your application?

And it does depend on your application -- I've exposed agar plates, to UV radiation, while using the agar to manipulate plant stem cell cultures, to keep the plates clean.  But the agar was already sterile, it was just am insurance policy, against possible mold growth, until the plant callus was strong enough to weather a possible infection.  Plant cells are quite resistant to UV, being outside, all the time.

[striker]

isolating mushroom mycelium. 

[Arkcon]

It was fungus I was trying to shield the plants from, so UV may be adequate.  If long term UV exposure doesn't damage any nutrients in your media, that is.  Find the correct duration rigorously is your own obligation.

[striker]

the war against Green Mold - Trichoderma harzianum, T. viride, T. koningii rages on!