Bacteriophages as sustainable and eco-friendly alternatives for managing plant diseases: Brief review

The use of bacteriophages for managing plant diseases originated from research in the medical field in the early 1920s. In the following decade, research on phages for disease control in agriculture gained momentum, but after the discovery of antibiotics, interest in phages decreased. However, the widespread and indiscriminate use of antibiotics in agriculture led to the rapid development of antibiotic-resistant bacteria. Consequently, there is an increased demand for sustainable, non-chemical, and eco-friendly alternatives to control bacterial diseases, leading to a resurgence of interest in phage therapy. This brief review explores bacteriophages as sustainable alternatives for managing plant diseases, focusing on their history, application methods, effectiveness in combating key agricultural diseases such as fire blight in apples and bacterial spot in tomatoes, demonstrating a potential increase in crop yields and agricultural sustainability, and challenges. It critically evaluates key studies, discusses scientific, technical, regulatory, economic, and social barriers to phage therapy adoption, and integrates isolation techniques. with the broader narrative on phage effectiveness. The review concludes by identifying research gaps and potential contributions to the field.