Over the past decade, global kiwifruit production has been severely affected by Pseudomonas syringae pv.actinidiae (Psa), which damages green and gold kiwifruit, kiwiberry, and Arctic kiwi, causing major economic losses. Current control methods, such as copper-based formulations and streptomycin, are limited by ecological concerns, including soil contamination and the risk of resistance development. Phage therapy offers a promising, eco-friendly alternative. Bacteriophages are natural viruses that infect bacteria and regulate their populations, and several phage-based products have been developed for agricultural pathogens. However, no phages are currently approved for controlling Psa, and few in vivo studies have tested their efficacy in kiwifruit. Translating this approach to the field requires more research, starting with laboratory studies and progressing to trials in contaminated plantations.
The Phage@Kiwifruit project seeks to fill this gap by developing a safe and effective phage-based protocol to combat Psa-induced canker. The strategy involves isolating and characterizing multiple phages to target different Psa strains, selecting the most effective for a treatment protocol. Experiments will include testing individual phages and phage cocktails on artificially and naturally infected plant organs, ultimately extending to whole-plant trials. The project will also evaluate potential effects on the plant’s native microbiota. This innovative approach aims to reduce bacterial kiwifruit canker, protect production, and prevent economic losses.
