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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Fort Pierce, Florida » U.S. Horticultural Research Laboratory » Subtropical Plant Pathology Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #213431
Title: Bacteriophages for Plant Disease Control¿

Author
item JONES, J. B. - UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA
item JACKSON, L. E. - LAYTON, UTAH
item BALOGH, B. - UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA
item OBRADOVIC, A. - UNIVERSITY OF BELGRADE
item Iriarte, Fanny
item MOMOL, M. T. - UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA

Submitted to: Annual Review of Phytopathology
Publication Type: Review Article
Publication Acceptance Date: 10/11/2011
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: The use of phages for disease control is a fast expanding area of plant protection with great potential to replace the chemical control measures now prevalent. Phages can be used effectively as part of integrated disease management strategies. The relative ease of preparing phage treatments and low cost of production of these agents make them good candidates for widespread use in developing countries as well. However, the efficacy of phages, as is true of many biological control agents, depends greatly on prevailing environmental factors as well as on susceptibility of the target organism. Great care is necessary during development, production and application of phage treatments. In addition, constant monitoring for the emergence of resistant bacterial strains is essential. Phage-based disease control management is a dynamic process with a need for continuous adjustment of the phage preparation in order to effectively fight potentially adapting pathogenic bacteria.