Abstract
Globally, there is a high economic burden caused by pre- and post–harvest losses in vegetables, fruits and ornamentals due to soft rot diseases. At present, the control methods for these diseases are limited, but there is some promise in developing biological control products for use in Integrated Pest Management. This study sought to formulate a phage cocktail which would be effective against soft rot Pectobacteriaceae species affecting potato (Solanum tuberosum L.), with potential methods of application in agricultural systems, including vacuum–infiltration and soil drench, also tested. Six bacteriophages were isolated and characterized using transmission electron microscopy, and tested against a range of Pectobacterium species that cause soft rot/blackleg of potato. Isolated bacteriophages of the family Podoviridae and Myoviridae were able to control isolates of the Pectobacterium species: Pectobacterium atrosepticum and Pectobacterium carotovorum subsp. carotovorum. Genomic analysis of three Podoviridae phages did not indicate host genes transcripts or proteins encoding toxin or antibiotic resistance genes. These bacteriophages were formulated as a phage cocktail and further experiments showed high activity in vitro and in vivo to suppress Pectobacterium growth, potentially indicating their efficacy in formulation as a microbial pest control agent to use in planta.
Highlights
Pectobacteriaceae species cause pre–and post–harvest losses to potato production (S. tuberosum L.) world–wide, which is one of the most intensively cultivated food crops globally [1, 2, 3]
Recent studies have highlighted the potential of using lytic bacteriophages as a microbial pest control agent (MPCA) to control plant diseases caused by soft rot Pectobacteriaceae (SRP)
Laboratory and field tests indicated that bacteriophages from the families Podoviridae and Myoviridae were effective in controlling soft rot of potatoes caused by P. atrosepticum and P. carotovorum subsp. carotovorum as a phage cocktail formulation
Summary
Pectobacteriaceae species cause pre–and post–harvest losses to potato production (S. tuberosum L.) world–wide, which is one of the most intensively cultivated food crops globally [1, 2, 3]. Recent studies have highlighted the potential of using lytic bacteriophages as a microbial pest control agent (MPCA) to control plant diseases caused by soft rot Pectobacteriaceae (SRP). Bacteriophages inhibit growth of Pectobacterium spp. under in vitro and in vivo conditions studentship. The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript
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