Bacteriophage Composition for Solanaceae Bacterial Canker Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for controlling bacterial canker in Solanaceae plants, caused by Clavibacter michiganensis, are ineffective, unsustainable, and harmful to the environment, with copper-based bactericides being phased out due to regulatory restrictions, and there is a need for a safe and sustainable alternative.
Innovation Solution
A bacteriophage composition comprising Claviphage7 and Claviphage9, specifically designed to target Clavibacter michiganensis, is applied to plants to prevent and treat bacterial canker, using a formulation that includes UV protectors, spreaders, and rain-fastness enhancers to enhance efficacy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If chemical bactericides (copper compounds) are used to control bacterial canker, then bacterial infection is reduced, but environmental safety and consumer safety deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses bacteriophages as intermediary agents that specifically target and infect Clavibacter michiganensis bacteria. These biological control agents act as mediators between the plant protection need and environmental safety, providing effective disease control without the harmful effects of chemical copper compounds. The bacteriophages selectively multiply and lyse the pathogenic bacteria, offering a sustainable alternative that protects both plant health and environmental safety.
2Reliability
If copper-based bactericides are used to treat bacterial canker, then bacterial titres are reduced, but sustainability and environmental friendliness deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent fundamentally changes the parameter of the control agent from chemical (copper compounds) to biological (bacteriophages). This parameter change transforms the sustainability profile while maintaining effectiveness. The bacteriophages are naturally occurring viruses that specifically infect and kill the target bacteria, providing a sustainable, environmentally friendly solution that degrades naturally and does not persist in the environment like copper compounds.
3Reliability
If copper compounds are applied to control bacterial canker, then disease control is achieved, but phytotoxicity and resistance promotion occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the previously harmful chemical copper compounds into beneficial biological bacteriophages. These phages naturally target and eliminate the pathogenic bacteria through specific infection and lysis cycles. The bacteriophages provide disease control without causing phytotoxicity to the plant or promoting bacterial resistance, as they are highly specific to their bacterial host and do not leave residual harmful effects on the plant or environment.
4Productivity
If chemical bactericides are used for bacterial canker control, then immediate disease reduction occurs, but long-term sustainability and safety deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The bacteriophages applied to the plant exhibit self-service characteristics by naturally multiplying and propagating within the bacterial population. After initial application, the phages infect and lyse the bacteria, releasing new phage particles that continue to control the bacterial population without requiring additional chemical inputs. This self-replicating mechanism provides both immediate disease control and long-term sustained protection, eliminating the need for repeated chemical applications and ensuring environmental safety over time.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The bacteriophage composition effectively reduces Clavibacter michiganensis infection by at least 30-50% in treated plants, offering a safe and sustainable alternative to chemical treatments, with efficacy comparable to existing products.
Implementation Method 1
a bacteriophage composition for the treatment of a plant of the Solanaceae family against Clavibacter michiganensis infection, wherein the composition comprises a bacteriophage CLAVIPHAGE7 and a bacteriophage CLAVIPHAGE9
Data Source
Figure 1A~1B
Figure 2
AI summary
The present invention relates to a bacteriophage composition for the treatment a plant of the Solanaceae family to protect the plants from infection caused by Clavibacter michiganensis, and more specifically Clavibacter michiganensis subsp. michiganensis, the causal agent of the disease called bacterial canker. The present invention further relates to methods for the treatment of a plant of the Solanaceae family to control Clavibacter michiganensis infection using said composition and use of the bacteriophage composition or bacteriophage for the treatment of a plant of the Solanaceae family against Clavibacter michiganensis.