Bacteriophages as Agents for Plant Disease Control: Where Are We After a Century?
Manoj Choudhary, Ibukunoluwa A. Bankole, Sophia T. McDuffee, Apekshya Parajuli, Mousami Poudel, Botond Balogh, Mathews L. Paret, Jeffrey B. Jones
Abstract
The rise in antibiotic-resistant bacteria has made the management of bacterial diseases increasingly challenging. As a result, bacteriophages have gained attention as a promising alternative to antibiotics for combating bacterial pathogens. However, the usage of phages as biocontrol agents faces many challenges, including environmental stability, delivery efficiency, host specificity, and potential bacterial resistance. Advancements in genetic engineering and nanotechnology have been explored to enhance the stability, efficacy, and adaptability of phage-based treatments. In this review, we discuss the key barriers to the effective implementation of phage therapy and highlight innovative strategies to overcome these challenges. By addressing these limitations, this review aims to provide insights into optimizing phage-based approaches for widespread therapeutic and biocontrol applications.