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Isolation of R alstonia solanacearum ‐infecting bacteriophages from tomato fields in C hiang M ai, T hailand, and their experimental use as biocontrol agents
Author(s) -
Bhunchoth A.,
Phironrit N.,
Leksomboon C.,
Chatchawankanphanich O.,
Kotera S.,
Narulita E.,
Kawasaki T.,
Fujie M.,
Yamada T.
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
journal of applied microbiology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.889
H-Index - 156
eISSN - 1365-2672
pISSN - 1364-5072
DOI - 10.1111/jam.12763
Subject(s) - ralstonia solanacearum , bacterial wilt , biology , wilting , biological pest control , microbiology and biotechnology , ralstonia , virulence , pathogen , isolation (microbiology) , bacteriophage , phage therapy , bacteria , horticulture , escherichia coli , biochemistry , genetics , gene
Abstract Aims To isolate and characterize novel bacteriophages infecting the phytopathogen, R alstonia solanacearum , and to evaluate them as resources with potential uses in the biocontrol of bacterial wilt. Methods and Results Fourteen phages infecting R. solanacearum were isolated from soil samples collected in Chiang Mai, Thailand. The phages showed different host ranges when tested against 59 R. solanacearum strains isolated from Thailand and Japan. These phages were characterized as nine podoviruses and five myoviruses based on their morphology. Podovirus J2 in combination with another podovirus ( φ RSB 2) lysed host cells very efficiently in contaminated soil. J2 treatment prevented wilting of tomato plants infected with a highly virulent R. solanacearum strain. Conclusions Treatment with J2 effectively reduced the amount of the bacterial wilt pathogen in contaminated soil and prevented bacterial wilt of tomato in pot experiments. Myovirus J6 possessed jumbo phage features, giving a unique opportunity to study its utilization as a biocontrol agent. Significance and Impact of the Study As exemplified by J2, the phages isolated in this study represent valuable resources with potential uses in biocontrol of bacterial wilt. A rare jumbo phage J6 served as a valuable subject to understand and utilize this new group of phages.