Comparative Analysis of Novel Lytic Phages for Biological Control of Phytopathogenic <i>Xanthomonas</i> spp.
María Luisa Domingo-Calap, Mireia Bernabéu-Gimeno, Cristina M. Aure, Ester Marco‐Noales, Pilar Domingo‐Calap
Abstract
Phytopathogenic bacteria represent serious losses worldwide. The lack of current treatments has focused the spotlight on phages, viruses of bacteria, as very promising biocontrol tools. Phages are very specific and can help to control bacterial infections in crops, as is the case of xanthomonads-associated diseases. The discovery of new environmental phages with lytic capacity that can help to combat these pathogens is of special relevance, and it is necessary to implement phage isolation and characterization techniques to determine their host range and their genomic properties. The establishment of phage collections worldwide will allow their use as preventive, diagnostic, or therapeutic tools. Although there is still a long way to go, this work is a step forward in the implementation of new ecofriendly techniques to combat key pathogens in the field.