Survival of Arthrobacter crystallopoietes during prolonged periods of extreme desiccation.

Cells of Arthrobacter crystallopoietes mixed in sand and air-dried have survived for up to 6 months after an initial period in which approximately half the cells lost their viability. Comparative survival curves have been obtained from inoculated sands maintained under CaSO(4) or P(2)O(5). Selections for more desiccation-resistant progeny capable of surviving the initial period were unsuccessful. Both the coccoid and rod-shaped forms are equally resistant to several months of desiccation. Desiccated spherical cells converted 0.0005% of their cell carbon to carbon dioxide per hr, which corresponds to a half-life for self-consumption of approximately 12 years.