Method for treatment and control of plant disease

Abstract

The present invention provides methods for development of a virulent bacteriophage-based treatment for the control of plant diseases caused by Xylella fastidiosa. The invention further provides methods of isolating and propagating bacteriophage virulent to X. fastidiosa in a Xanthomonas bacterial host and for treating or reducing symptoms of X. fastidiosa infection in a plant. The invention further provides methods of isolating and propagating bacteriophage virulent to Xanthomonas axonopodis pv. citri and for treating or reducing symptoms of Xanthomonas axonopodis pv. citri infection in a plant.