2.9. Survivability profile of B. cenocepacia VBC7, P. poae VBK1 and lactic acid bacteria
Two biocontrol organisms isolated from rhizosphere viz. B.cenocepacia VBC7 and P. poae VBK1 were tested for their survivability in vermiculite for different periods at room temperature and under refrigeration (5 C). Fully grown fresh cultures of VBC7 (10 8 CFU/ml) and VBK1 (2 10 8 CFU/ml) were inoculated in sterile vermiculite, kept in the above conditions, aliquot of samples were taken in every month and CFU were counted after serial dilution for a period of 6 months (Bakshi et al., 2006). Three lactic acid bacterial isolates were also subjected to survivability study in a carrier
base containing maltodextrin agar soaked initially in MRS broth. Aliquot of samples were taken at regular intervals following the
same protocol.