Evaluation of Foliar Sprays of Bacteriophages for the Management of Bacterial Canker in Greenhouse Tomatoes

Abstract

AgriPhage applied as a preventative foliar spray significantly reduced severity of bacterial canker of greenhouse tomato in two of three years. Area under the disease progress curves (AUDPC) indicated that AgriPhage slowed the progression of bacterial canker symptom development by 50% and 59% in 2006 and 2007, respectively. Plant mortality was significantly reduced by 76% in 2006 as compared to the inoculated control. AgriPhage-treated plants produced significantly greater total yield in 2006 only. Copper and Kasumin sprays also significantly reduced severity (AUDPC) of bacterial canker in 2007 as compared to the inoculated control. However, none of these treatments reduced symptom development or increased yield in 2008.Accepted for publication 9 April 2009. Published 12 May 2009.Bacterial canker of tomato has recently become the most important disease in the greenhouse tomato industry, particularly in the western United States, Mexico, and Canada. Recently, specific bacteriophages for the control of bacterial spot in field grown tomato have been commercially developed. However, research is needed on how to best use bacteriophages in a greenhouse environment. The objective of this study was to evaluate foliar sprays of bacteriophages for efficacy against bacterial canker in greenhouse tomato.