Uses of Antimicrobials in Plant Agriculture

Abstract

Bacterial diseases of plants are less prevalent than diseases caused by fungi and viruses. Antimicrobials for prophylactic treatment of bacterial diseases of plants are limited in availability, use, and efficacy, and therapeutic use is largely ineffective. Most applications are by spray treatments in orchards. Monitoring and surveillance for drug resistance are not routinely done. In the United States, data on use of antimicrobials for treatment of bacterial diseases of plants are limited to streptomycin and oxytetracycline. Resistance to streptomycin has become widespread among bacterial phytopathogens; no resistance among these bacteria has yet been reported for oxytetracycline. No human health effects have been documented since inception of use of antimicrobials in plants in the 1950s. Transfer of antimicrobial resistance from marker genes in transgenic plants to bacteria has not been documented under natural conditions in field-grown plants. However, antimicrobial-resistance genes are being eliminated from use as marker genes because of concerns about possible transfer from plant genomes back to bacteria, with further horizontal transfer to the bacteria in the environment, or from plant genomes to animals by plant consumption. No new antimicrobials are expected to be used in plant agriculture because of high costs of development, regulatory constraints, and environmental and human health concerns. Alternatives to antimicrobials, such as biocontrol agents, transgenic plants, and novel chemicals, are being developed and marketed, although their efficacy remains to be determined.

Presence and antimicrobial resistance ofEscherichia coliisolated from foodstuffs in Hidalgo State (Mexico) Presencia y resistencia a antimicrobianos deEscherichia coliaislados a partir de alimentos en el estado de Hidalgo (México)

“…Antimicrobials are currently used to prevent bacterial diseases in plants and to protect fruit trees from fire blight (Vidaver, 2002). Additionally, contamination by human and veterinary sources of antimicrobials, their metabolites, and resistant bacteria can also occur via contact with sewage and waste water (Kemper, 2008;Phillips et al, 2003).…”

Comparison of culturable Gram-negative bacterial community structures in the rhizosphere of three fruit plants

“…But there exists either only limited information or those about the interaction between fruit plant species and bacterial assemblages are quite omitted. More information exists about the interactions between plants and phytopathogenic microscopic fungi, probably because the bacterial diseases of plants are less prevalent than diseases caused by fungi and viruses (Vidaver, 2002). From this point of view, the occurrence of some representatives of the genera Pseudomonas, Agrobacterium and Burkholderia in the rhizosphere of fruit plant species is interesting since some species of these genera are considered to be phytopathogenic bacteria.…”

In silico approach to prevent soft rot in vegetable crops

“…Antibiotics are used on fruit trees to check and eradicate microbial infection. No human health effects have been documented since inception of use of antimicrobials in plants in the 1950s [16].…”