Bacteriophage P27 identified as potential treatment for citrus canker

Researchers have identified a promising bacteriophage, designated P27, that can combat citrus canker. This virus, which infects bacteria, has demonstrated the ability to reduce lesions in orange trees by up to 60% during greenhouse testing.

Citrus canker, caused by the bacterium Xanthomonas citri, results in significant economic losses for orange, lemon, and tangerine crops by creating brown spots on leaves and fruit, which compromises both quality and yield. The study, a collaboration between Unesp, Fundecitrus, and the University of Manchester, involved mapping 72 varieties of bacteriophages across 12 rural properties in São Paulo between 2018 and 2021.

The P27 phage was found to eliminate the causative bacteria without affecting other environmental organisms. This discovery offers a potential path toward developing biopesticides, which could reduce the agricultural sector's reliance on copper-based chemical defenses.