Bacterial soft rot disease, caused by 𝑃𝑒𝑐𝑡𝑜𝑏𝑎𝑐𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑖𝑢𝑚 𝑠𝑝𝑝. can lead to significant losses in carrot yields. As current control measures involving the use of chemicals or antibiotics are not recommended in many countries, bacteriophage-mediated biocontrol strategies are being explored for the successful control of these phytopathogens. The successful implementation of such biocontrol strategies relies heavily upon the proper understanding of the growth characteristics and genomic properties of the phage. Further, the selection of taxonomically different phages for the formulation of phage cocktails in biocontrol applications is critical to combat potential bacterial resistance development. This study was conducted to carefully characterize and resolve the phylogenetic placement of the 𝑃𝑒𝑐𝑡𝑜𝑏𝑎𝑐𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑖𝑢𝑚 𝑐𝑎𝑟𝑜𝑡𝑜𝑣𝑜𝑟𝑢𝑚 phage vB_PcaM_P7_Pc by using its biological and genomic properties. Phage P7_Pc has a myovirus morphotype with an exclusively lytic life cycle, and the absence of genes related to lysogeny, toxin production, and antibiotic resistance in its genome confirmed its suitability to be used in environmental applications. Furthermore, P7_Pc is classified under the genus Certrevirus, making it the first reported phage of the genus of the host species,𝑃. 𝑐𝑎𝑟𝑜𝑡𝑜𝑣𝑜𝑟𝑢𝑚. 

Kishani N Naligama, Anupama P Halmillawewa

Microbiology Spectrum 

Abstract:- https://doi.org/10.1128/spectrum.03126-22