The future of phage biocontrol in integrated plant protection for sustainable crop production

Bacterial phytopathogens significantly reduce crop yields and hence, pose a threat to the food supply of our increasing world population. In this context, bacteriophages are investigated as potential sustainable biocontrol agents. Here, recent advances in phage biocontrol are reviewed and considered within the framework of integrated plant protection strategies. This shows that understanding the pathogen's biology is crucial to develop a targeted strategy, tailored to individual pathosystems and driven by biotechnological insights. Moreover, the potential synergy of phages in contemporary farming practices based on the Internet of Things is proposed, potentially enabling a timely and cost-efficient treatment of plants at an early stage of the disease. Finally, these prospects are placed in the regulatory context of virus-oriented integrated pest control.

Automated summary

Bacterial phytopathogens pose a threat to crop yields, with bacteriophages being investigated as potential biocontrol agents. Understanding the biology of pathogens is crucial for developing targeted strategies, and utilizing Internet of Things technology for treatment may be cost-efficient and timely. These prospects are considered within the regulatory framework of virus-oriented integrated pest control.