Novel broad‐spectrum bacteriophages against Xanthomonas oryzae and their biocontrol potential in rice bacterial diseases

Abstract Bacterial leaf blight (BLB) and bacterial leaf streak (BLS)—caused by Xanthomonas oryzae pv . oryzae (Xoo) and Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzicola (Xoc), respectively—are two major bacterial diseases that threaten the safe production of rice, one of the most important food crops. Bacteriophages are considered potential biocontrol agents against rice bacterial pathogens, due to their host specificity and environmental safety. It is common for BLB and BLS to occur together in fields, which highlights the need for broad‐spectrum phages capable of infecting both Xoo and Xoc. In this study, two lytic broad‐spectrum phages (pXoo2106 and pXoo2107) that can infect various strains of Xoo and Xoc were assessed. Both phages belong to the class Caudoviricetes and one of them to the family Autographiviridae , while the other belongs to an unclassified family. Two phages alone or combined in a phage cocktail could effectively inhibit Xoo and Xoc growth in vitro. In an in vivo biocontrol experiment, the phage cocktail reduced the total CFU and significantly eased the symptoms caused by Xoo or Xoc. Our results suggest that pXoo2106 and pXoo2107 have a broad‐spectrum host range targeting different X. oryzae strains, and have strong biocontrol potential in field applications against both BLB and BLS.