A team of researchers has been tasked to find, grow, and scale the production of viruses that will kill pathogens and bacteria that have an economic impact on the horticulture and bee industries.
Lincoln University Professor Travis Glare will attempt to scale the production of bacteriophages, referred to as phages, which are viruses that feed on and kill bacteria and pathogens.
"Such products already exist in human medicine," he said. "This is, however, a relatively new concept in agriculture, although some commercial products are already available in Europe."
"Phages can target specific bacteria and not affect others that may be beneficial to the organism. Initial products will economically benefit the kiwifruit and apiculture sectors, which have been significantly impacted by the bacterial pathogen kiwifruit vine canker, or Psa, and American Foulbrood, which attacks honeybees."
Work on phage biocontrols for the cherry and salmon industries will follow.
Read the full article at farmersweekly.co.nz