Complete Genome Sequence and Annotation of a Pseudomonas syringae phage Psxφ15

Abstract

Numerous economically important crops are affected by the Pseudomonas syringae species worldwide. The current control method against this pathogen is the use of copper compounds; however, it is ineffective and limited. The use of phages is an alternative control method against phytopathogens, which are viruses that exclusively infect bacteria and can overcome the chemical control limitations. This work describes the isolation and sequencing of the bacteriophage Psxφ15, a Pseudomonas phage isolated from a plum tree sample collected in Curacaví, Chile, using the Pseudomonas syringae strain Ps15 as a host, which was isolated from cherry tree canker. Psxφ15 is a phage classified in the Myoviridae family according to its morphological features. It has a double-stranded DNA genome with a size of 96,038 base pairs in length, a G+C content of 48.35%, and contains 201 predicted coding sequences and 10 tRNA genes. Genome analysis revealed that Psxφ15 is a strictly lytic phage with no bacterial toxins and antibiotic resistance genes. Host range assays showed lysis of P. syringae strains such as P. syringae pv. syringae and P. syringae pv. tomato DC3000. Psxφ15 may be a suitable candidate for biocontrol against P. syringae.