Antibacterial activity and host range of phage filtrates from soil and banana plant pseudostems targeting Xanthomonas vasicola pv. musacearum

Abstract

The phytopathogen Xanthomonas vasicola pv. musacearum causes Banana Xanthomonas Wilt (BXW), affecting banana yield and productivity. This threatens food security and livelihoods of populations reliant on bananas. Various agricultural practices aim to manage BXW, yet the disease persists, reducing banana yield and productivity. Bacteriophages are natural enemies of bacteria and offer a potential biocontrol solution. This study evaluated the antibacterial activity and host range of phage filtrates from BXW infected soil and banana pseudostems against X. vasicola pv. musacearum. Phage filtrates were obtained from soil and banana pseudostem samples collected from three gardens. Their activity and host range were assessed using the spot assay. Nine phage filtrates, each from soil and pseudostem samples, produced clear plaques on X. vasicola pv. musacearum lawns grown on YPGA. Soil phage filtrates exhibited a host range from 54 to 100% against X. vasicola pv. musacearum strains, while pseudostem filtrates ranged from 59 to 97%. No plaques were observed on non-Xanthomonas strains. These findings demonstrate that phage filtrates from soil and pseudostem samples exhibit antibacterial activity against X. vasicola pv. musacearum and infect a broad range of X. vasicola pv. musacearum strains, highlighting their potential for BXW biocontrol.