Recent Advances in Phage-Plant Interactions

A special issue of Viruses (ISSN 1999-4915). This special issue belongs to the section "Viruses of Plants, Fungi and Protozoa".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 January 2025) | Viewed by 2191

Special Issue Editors


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Guest Editor
Institute of Biotechnology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
Interests: molecular plant pathology; plant–microbe interactions; phage–plant interactions; nanobiotechnology; molecular genetics; metagenomics
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Institute of Biotechnology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
Interests: molecular plant pathology; nanobiotechnology; plant physiology; phage–plant interactions
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Bacteriophages (phages) have gained increasing attention as promising biocontrol agents for plant pathogens, offering an environmentally friendly alternative to traditional chemical pesticides. Recent research has uncovered new insights into the intricate interactions between phages and the plant microbiome, paving the way for the development of effective phage-based strategies to combat plant diseases. One key area of progress has been the characterization of phage-mediated interactions with plant-associated bacteria, both pathogenic and beneficial. Researchers have also explored the mechanisms by which phages can modulate plant immunity and enhance disease resistance, with certain phages found to induce systemic acquired resistance in plants, priming their defenses against subsequent pathogen challenges. In the realm of application, successful phage-based treatments have been demonstrated in both greenhouse and field settings, effectively controlling bacterial diseases in various crop plants. The ability to isolate and characterize phages from a local plant microbiome has facilitated the development of tailored phage cocktails that are better suited to target environments. As the field continues to evolve, the integration of phage technology with other plant protection tools holds promise for a comprehensive solution to the challenges faced by modern agriculture, paving the way for sustainable and environmentally friendly plant disease management. The proposed Special Issue will attract a diverse audience of researchers and professionals working on various aspects of plant pathology, virology, microbiology, agriculture, and biotechnology.

Prof. Dr. Bin Li
Dr. Temoor Ahmed
Guest Editors

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Keywords

  • bacteriophages
  • phage–plant interactions
  • biocontrol agents
  • plant pathogenic bacteria
  • selective targeting
  • systemic acquired resistance
  • tailored phage cocktails
  • integrated disease management
  • plant disease resistance
  • plant–pathogen interactions
  • nanopesticides

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Published Papers (2 papers)

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Research

16 pages, 10955 KiB  
Article
Characterizations of Newly Isolated Erwinia amylovora Loessnervirus-like Bacteriophages from Hungary
by Elene Lomadze, György Schneider, Szilvia Papp, Dominika Bali, Roberta Princz-Tóth and Tamás Kovács
Viruses 2025, 17(5), 677; https://doi.org/10.3390/v17050677 - 6 May 2025
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Abstract
This study explores alternative methods to combat bacterial infections like fire blight caused by Erwinia amylovora (Ea) using bacteriophages as potential antimicrobial agents. Two lytic phages, Ea PF 7 and Ea PF 9, were isolated from apple samples and classified as Loessnervirus-like based [...] Read more.
This study explores alternative methods to combat bacterial infections like fire blight caused by Erwinia amylovora (Ea) using bacteriophages as potential antimicrobial agents. Two lytic phages, Ea PF 7 and Ea PF 9, were isolated from apple samples and classified as Loessnervirus-like based on their genomes. Both phages showed strong efficacy, lysing 95% of the tested 37 Ea strains. They inhibited bacterial growth for up to 10 h, even at low infection rates. The phages had a short latent period of 10 min and produced high burst sizes of 108 and 125 phage particles per infected cell. Stability tests revealed that both phages were stable at moderate temperatures (37–45 °C) and within a pH range of 4–10. However, their viability decreased at higher temperatures and extreme pH levels. Both phages exhibited notable desiccation tolerance and moderate resistance to UV-B radiation during UV testing. The phages were exposed to carefully controlled irradiation, considering factors like lamp type, radiation intensity, exposure time, and object distance. This method introduces a complex approach to research, ensuring repeatable and comparable results. These findings suggest that Ea PF 7 and Ea PF 9 hold promise as antimicrobial agents for therapeutic and biotechnological applications, potentially helping to combat antibiotic resistance in the future. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Advances in Phage-Plant Interactions)
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18 pages, 8330 KiB  
Article
Genomic Characterization of Phage ZP3 and Its Endolysin LysZP with Antimicrobial Potential against Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae
by Muchen Zhang, Xinyan Xu, Luqiong Lv, Jinyan Luo, Temoor Ahmed, Waleed A. A. Alsakkaf, Hayssam M. Ali, Ji’an Bi, Chengqi Yan, Chunyan Gu, Linfei Shou and Bin Li
Viruses 2024, 16(9), 1450; https://doi.org/10.3390/v16091450 - 11 Sep 2024
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Abstract
Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae (Xoo) is a significant bacterial pathogen responsible for outbreaks of bacterial leaf blight in rice, posing a major threat to rice cultivation worldwide. Effective management of this pathogen is crucial for ensuring rice yield and food security. In this [...] Read more.
Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae (Xoo) is a significant bacterial pathogen responsible for outbreaks of bacterial leaf blight in rice, posing a major threat to rice cultivation worldwide. Effective management of this pathogen is crucial for ensuring rice yield and food security. In this study, we identified and characterized a novel Xoo phage, ZP3, isolated from diseased rice leaves in Zhejiang, China, which may offer new insights into biocontrol strategies against Xoo and contribute to the development of innovative approaches to combat bacterial leaf blight. Transmission electron microscopy indicated that ZP3 had a short, non-contractile tail. Genome sequencing and bioinformatic analysis showed that ZP3 had a double-stranded DNA genome with a length of 44,713 bp, a G + C content of 52.2%, and 59 predicted genes, which was similar to other OP1-type Xoo phages belonging to the genus Xipdecavirus. ZP3’s endolysin LysZP was further studied for its bacteriolytic action, and the N-terminal transmembrane domain of LysZP is suggested to be a signal–arrest–release sequence that mediates the translocation of LysZP to the periplasm. Our study contributes to the understanding of phage–Xoo interactions and suggests that phage ZP3 and its endolysin LysZP could be developed into biocontrol agents against this phytopathogen. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Advances in Phage-Plant Interactions)
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