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
(108 CFU/ml) and VBK1 (2 108 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.