The Need: Addressing Pseudomonas Leaf Spot (PLS) Disease in Peppers

Pseudomonas leaf spot (PLS) disease caused by Pseudomonas syringae pv. syringae (Pss) poses a significant threat to pepper crops, leading to reduced yield and substantial economic losses. Current control methods relying on copper-sulfate and streptomycin-sulfate have become less effective due to the emergence of antimicrobial-resistant Pss strains. To overcome this challenge, there is an urgent need for the development of novel antimicrobial solutions that can effectively combat Pss in peppers. Small molecule (SM) antimicrobials have shown promise against multi-drug resistant bacteria, making them ideal candidates for addressing this pressing commercial need.

The Technology: Novel Small Molecule (SM) Antimicrobials

The technology being offered is a set of novel small molecule (SM) antimicrobials that have demonstrated strong efficacy against Pss strains in peppers. Through high throughput screening, 10 SMs (PC1 to PC10) were identified, all of which exhibited potent growth inhibition of Pss strains at concentrations of 200 µM or lower. Notably, these SMs were effective against copper- and streptomycin-resistant, as well as biofilm-embedded Pss strains. Furthermore, the study found that these SMs showed better or equivalent antimicrobial activity compared to copper-sulfate (200 µM) and streptomycin (200 µg/ml) against Pss in infested pepper seeds and inoculated seedlings.

Commercial Applications:

The novel SM antimicrobials have broad commercial applications in agriculture and phytomedical industries. Some key applications include:

• Pseudomonas Leaf Spot (PLS) Management: These SMs offer a promising alternative for effectively managing PLS disease in pepper production, leading to improved crop yields and reduced economic losses.

• Bacterial Disease Control: The SMs' efficacy extends to other bacterial pathogens (n=22) besides Pss, making them versatile agents for controlling various bacterial diseases in different crops.

• Resistant Strain Control: The SMs demonstrated effectiveness against antimicrobial-resistant Pss strains, providing a viable solution to combat the emergence of resistant strains in the field.

• Biofilm Disruption: The SMs' ability to combat biofilm-embedded Pss enhances their value in applications where bacteria form resistant biofilms on plant surfaces.

Benefits/Advantages:

The technology's advantages make it a highly attractive solution for sustainable agriculture and phytomedical applications:

• Effective and Safe: The SMs have shown remarkable efficacy against Pss and other plant pathogens at low concentrations (<200 µM) while being non-toxic to beneficial phytobacteria, ensuring a safer and more environmentally friendly approach to disease control.

• Multi-Drug Resistance (MDR) Compatibility: As the SMs are effective against multi-drug resistant bacteria, they provide a valuable means of managing diseases that have developed resistance to conventional treatments.

• Crop and Human Safety: Extensive safety evaluations demonstrate that the SMs do not pose any toxicity risks to pepper tissues (seeds, seedlings, or fruits) or human cells (Caco-2 cells), ensuring the well-being of both crops and consumers.

• Pollinator-Friendly: The SMs do not harm pollinator honeybees at concentrations of 200 µM, fostering pollination and supporting biodiversity in the agricultural ecosystem.

• Improved Yield and Profitability: By mitigating PLS disease and enhancing crop health, these SM antimicrobials have the potential to increase pepper yields and overall profitability for growers.

In conclusion, the development of these novel SM antimicrobials represents a significant step forward in combatting Pseudomonas leaf spot disease in peppers, as well as other bacterial diseases, with numerous applications and benefits that address the commercial needs of the agricultural industry.