Genomic Characterization, Formulation and Efficacy in Planta of a Siphoviridae and Podoviridae Protection Cocktail against the Bacterial Plant Pathogens Pectobacterium spp.

Abstract

In the face of global human population increases, there is a need for efficacious integrated pest management strategies to improve agricultural production and increase sustainable food production. To counteract significant food loses in crop production, novel, safe and efficacious measures should be tested against bacterial pathogens. Pectobacteriaceae species are one of the causative agents of the bacterial rot of onions ultimately leading to crop losses due to ineffective control measures against these pathogens. Therefore, the aim of this study was to isolate and characterize bacteriophages which could be formulated in a cocktail and implemented in planta under natural environmental conditions. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and genome analysis revealed Siphoviridae and Podoviridae family bacteriophages. To test the protective effect of a formulated phage cocktail against soft rot disease, three years of field trials were performed, using three different methods of treatment application. This is the first study to show the application of a phage cocktail containing Podoviridae and Siphoviridae bacteriophages capable of protecting onions against soft rot in field conditions.

Pectobacterium brasiliense: Genomics, Host Range and Disease Management

“…There has been, however, an extensive amount of research on biocontrol of the most widespread economically important SRP, especially Dickeya solani , P. carotovorum and P. atrosepticum [ 5 , 134 , 135 , 136 , 137 , 138 , 139 , 140 ]. In fact, biocontrol of SRP using bacteriophages has progressed the most among other methods, with a stage where formulated commercial product is available, including Biolyse ® , which was demonstrated to be efficacious at preventing soft rot in packaged potatoes caused by Pectobacterium and Dickeya species [ 141 ].…”

“…Carstens et al [ 136 ] reported significant suppression of soft rot caused by P. atrosepticum using a phage cocktail containing six selected bacteriophages on potato tubers in simulated storage conditions. The phage efficacy to control Pbr in field trials has not been reported so far [ 19 ], however, recently the efficacy of single bacteriophages or phage cocktails to control P. carotovorum and P. atrosepticum was proven under field conditions [ 14 , 138 , 139 ].…”

Phages in Food Industry Biocontrol and Bioremediation

“…in onions using field trials. The results showed significant higher number of plants in the treatments compared to the positive controls, with concomitant increased bulb and foliage mass and also reduced soft rot disease symptoms [84].…”

Tailed Lytic Bacteriophages of Soft Rot Pectobacteriaceae

“…Genomic analysis has not revealed the presence of lysogeny genes. The phage cocktail containing these phages has demonstrated a significant protective effect against natural soft rot infection in onions [184]. 50 nm.…”