AN ECO-FRIENDLY MANAGEMENT STRATEGY FOR PLANT PATHOGENIC BACTERIA: BACTERIOPHAGES

Abstract: Plant pathogenic bacteria affect a wide range of crops worldwide and have negativeimpacts in agriculture due to their associated economic losses and environmental damages. Control measures including the use of conventional chemicals or antibiotics have lossed their efficacy because of the natural development of bacterial resistance against these compounds. The bacteriophages, eco-friendly means of controlling plant bacterial diseases, are a fast expanding subject of plant pathology with considerable potential to replace the chemical control measures now prevalent. Obtained the results, different bacteriophages have given promising results on several serious diseases about 30-95% ratios for Pectobacterium carotovorum subsp. carotovorum, P. wasabiae, Dickeya solani and Streptomyces scabies on potato, Ralstonia solanacearum, Xanthomonas campestrispv. vesicatoria and Pseudomonas syringaepv. tomato on tomato, Xylella fastidiosa on grapevine, Xanthomonasaxonopodis pv. allii on onion, P. c. subsp. carotovorum on lettuce, S. scabies on radish, X. a.pv. citri on grapefruit, X. a. pv. citrumelo on orange, P. s. pv. porri on leek, Pseudomonas tolaasii on mushroom, Erwinia amylovora on apple and pear. In addition, it has been determined that the efficacy of phages depends greatly on environmental factors as well as on susceptibility of the target organism and the emergence of resistant bacterial strains. In conclusion, bacteriophages can be used effectively as part of integrated disease management strategies as biopesticides.