Журнал микробного патогенеза

Characterization of bacteriophages infecting Pectobacterium spp. for phage-based bio control formulation against soft rot in field conditions

Abstract

Maja Zaczek-Moczydlowska

Soft rot Enterobacteriaceae, including Pectobacterium and
Dickeya, affect a number of plants including vegetables and
fruits, causing high economic loses for producers. There is
currently no treatment for soft rot Enterobacteriaceae in field
conditions, and control is largely based on the use of sanitary
growing practices. The increasing number of epidemics in
recent years caused by Pectobacterium and Dickeya in
Europe indicate a need for the formulation of commercially
available and effective biocontrol measures to counteract soft
rot pathogens. Highly specific bacterial viruses –
bacteriophages – have been investigated by a number of
researchers as a biocontrol tool to treat bacterial diseases. In
this study, bacteriophages isolated from vegetable processing
water have been characterized using transmission electron
microscopy (TEM), molecular biology methods, and tested for
antimicrobial and lytic activity. Bacteriophages efficacious
against soft rot Enterobacteriaceae in potato have been
formulated into a phage-based ‘cocktail’, which has been
assessed through bioassays and field trials. It has been
shown that the phage ‘cocktail’ decreased soft rot symptoms
and increased yields in vivo.