Enhanced Control of Bacterial Wilt Disease in Tomato Plant via Transport and Penetration Tracking by Aid of 99m Tc‐Labeled Ralstonia solanacearum –Specific Bacteriophage

In order to reduce the development of antibiotic and chemical resistance in bacterial phytopathogens like Ralstonia solanacearum , which causes bacterial wilt disease, bacteriophages are a safe and efficient biocontrol method. This research will explore how to use radioisotopes to track the bacteriophage absorption by plants from roots to leaves as a means for improving phage persistence and thereby the control of bacterial wilt disease caused by R. solanacearum . We have investigated the uptake and delivery of R. solanacearum –specific bacteriophages in tomato plants. Transferring phage through roots to leaves showed a gradual increase over time until reaching the maximal at 120 min, where the percentage of bacteriophage reaches 21.95% of the total amount of the injected radiation dose, which is considered a good sign for the ability of bacteriophage to reach the leaves and infect the pathogen through its transport system if injected directly into soil. Demonstrating in‐plant translocation of R. solanacearum –specific bacteriophages and their effect of reducing bacterial wilt symptoms may significantly contribute to a better control of R. solanacearum and promote further investigations on the penetration and translocation of phages into plants.