In 2009 PRI started, together with PPO, a study into bacteriophages for the control of bacterial diseases in potato and flower bulbs. Bacteriophages are viruses that can very specifically kill certain bacteria while being harmless to plants, animals and humans.
In recent years bacterial diseases are turning into an ever increasing problem in important agricultural crops. Pesticides are hardly available and antibiotics have been banned for a long time.
Isolated bacteriophages were found to be capable of completely killing the important stem rot bacterium (Dickeya solani). Follow-up research in 2010 focuses on a better characterisation of the bacteriophages and their possible application under field conditions. Active bacteriophages can be used as bactericides to improve the controllability of the problems with plant-pathogenic bacteria.
Project description on KennisOnline:
Beheersing van Erwinia met behulp van bacteriophagen (Controlling Erwinia by means of bacteriophages)