Bacterial Desiccation: Effects of Temperature, Relative Humidity, and Culture Age on Survival

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Abstract
Large differences were found in the survival characteristics of bacteria dried and stored for 33 days under varying conditions. Corynebacterium michiganense and isolate SC735 (an antagonist to Pseudomonas glycinea) were most resistant to drying. Cells of Xanthomonas phaseoli were 20-50 times less resistant and P. glycinea, Erwinia carotovora and isolate AN771 (an antagonist to Bipolaris maydis) were approximately 1000 times less resistant. Survival was better at 5.degree. C than at 20.degree. C, and at either temperature it was better at 34% relative humidity (RH) than at 0% or 75% RH. Survival at 20.degree. C was poorest at 75% RH. In general, bacteria from 7 or 14 day old cultures were more resistant to desiccation than those from 1, 22 or 30 day old cultures. In relation to RH, survival patterns for P. glycinea cells both from diseased leaves [Glycine max] and from culture were similar.