Evaluation of antimicrobial efficacy of current methods to control fire blight (Erwinia amylovora)

[Excerpt] Erwinia amylovora, a major pathogenic bacterium affecting pome fruit plants, causes fire blight, a devastating disease of pears and apples (1 ]. lnfection typically begins in flowers and leads to the blackening of leaves, stems, and immature fruits (2). E. amy/ovora is widespread in North and Central America and Europe and spreads through insects, rain, wind, infected propagating material, and non-disinfected pruning toeis (3). Severa! antibiotics have been shown to inhibit the growth of E. amylovora in vitro, with streptomycin being commonly used in countries like the USA. However, it has not been able to prevent regular outbreaks [4]. Moreover, the use of antibiotics in agriculture is currently restricted in Europe due to concerns about the emergence of antibiotic-resistant strains and their potential impact on human health [5]. Due to such concerns, the currently used phytosanitary contrai methods rely on chemical treatments and a limited number of biological contrai agents, which avoid antibiotics.