The high cost of cellulase production is one of the key barriers to commercialization of cellulose-based biofuels. Screening high cellulase-producing strains and exploring low-cost inducers of cellulase are efficient strategies to address this issue. In this study, Trichoderma reesei Rut-C30 mutants were obtained by treatment with Ethyl Methyl Sulfonate (EMS) and plasma-irradiation. Mutant T. reesei D-7 was selected as the most promising cellulase producer based on screening through phosphoric acid-swollen cellulose plates. The filter papet activity (FPA) of T. reesei D-7 was 57.55% higher than that of the wild-type strain. Corn starch hydrolysate (CSH) prepared through hydrolysis of corn starch by alpha-amylase were used as soluble inducer for cellulase production with T. reesei D-7. FPA of 4.53 IU/ml was achieved at an optimal initial concentration of CSH (40 g/I reducing sugar). Moreover, CSH and cellulose were proved to be the most effective soluble and insoluble inducers for cellulase production with T. reesei D-7. Mixture of CSH and cellulose further improved FPA up to 15.62 IU/ml, which was 3.45-fold or 1.52-fold as high as that achieved using CSH or cellulose as an inducer.(C) 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.