Potential of the bacteriophage-based therapy for a more eco-sustainable agriculture

• DOI: https://doi.org/10.22533/at.ed.813462414083

• Palavras-chave: -

• Keywords: virus; bacteriophage; biocontrol; crop protection; ecosystem; SDGs; One Health

• Abstract: Viruses have traditionally been associated with transmission of diseases and harmful effects. However, viruses that infect bacteria, called bacteriophages (phages), can be very beneficial. In recent years, there has been an increase in the research on phages with the main objective of developing therapies for the control of bacterial infections as an alternative or complement to the use of antibiotics and/or agrochemicals, in accordance with the One Health approach and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). In agriculture, phages and/or phage cocktails with proven biocontrol activity in plants against important phytopathogenic bacteria such as Ralstonia solanacearum, Erwinia amylovora and Xanthomonas spp. have been successfully isolated and characterized. Additionally, in relation to the SDGs, phages connect with a number of them. Innovative bacteriophage-based therapy has the potential to improve crop protection and reduce agrochemicals, contributing to a more eco-sustainable agriculture and greater global food security and health.