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Bacterial blight caused by Pseudomonas syringae is a significant threat to blueberry crops in British Columbia, resulting in considerable economic losses. Conventional control methods rely on copper-based pesticides; however, rising resistance among bacterial strains and concerns about environmental contamination have created an urgent need for sustainable alternatives.

Dr. Siyun Wang from UBC and Dr. Karen Fong from Agriculture and Agri-food Canada are developing a novel, eco-friendly solution using bacteriophages. Phages offer several advantages, such as being sustainably sourced from the environment; non-toxic to human, plant and animal cells and considered green “organic”.

The team’s research focuses on creating a phage-based formulation to combat P. syringae-induced bacterial blight in blueberries. A total of 60 P. syringae isolates from BC blueberry farms were sequenced and analyzed, leading to the identification of the five most pathogenic strains. Over 200 environmental samples were collected to isolate bacteriophages, resulting in a library of 72 unique phages.

From this library, the five most effective phages were selected based on host range, genetic characteristics, and bacterial lysing capacity. Using these candidates, 18 different phage cocktails were formulated and tested for their ability to inactivate P. syringae in vitro. The five most promising cocktails were then validated in a model blueberry plant system to assess their efficacy in real-world conditions.

This research lays the groundwork for commercializing a targeted, sustainable biocontrol strategy, offering a promising alternative to chemical pesticides. If successful, this phage-based approach could revolutionize disease management in BC’s blueberry industry and promote environmentally responsible agriculture.