Welcome

Welcome to the COST Action CA25147 Phage4Crops: Bacteriophages for crop protection: Discovery, Exploration, Application & Society!

Sustainable management of agricultural pests and diseases is crucial for food security in the face of accelerating environmental challenges. Inspired by the One Health approach and aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (https://sdgs.un.org/goals), the COST Action proposes to build a multidisciplinary network to establish and demonstrate a reliable scientific basis for the use of bacteriophages (hereafter phages), the viruses of bacteria, as biocontrol agents of bacterial plant diseases.

Phage biocontrol in crops is still emerging, with limited studies on phage-bacterium interactions in agricultural systems. To design effective and durable treatments, it’s crucial to expand phage collections, improve genetic characterisation of both phages and pathogens, and study bacterial defence systems, which remain poorly understood in plant pathogens. Deeper insight into phage–bacterium coevolution will enable the development of tailored, resistance-resilient phage therapies. Beyond fundamental research, the COST Action aims to demonstrate how phage biocontrol can translate into tangible benefits for European agriculture. The COST Action will explore how phage-based treatments can reduce yield losses caused by bacterial diseases, decrease pesticide dependence, and improve soil and plant health. By linking researchers, regulatory experts, farmers, and industry stakeholders, the network will also contribute to harmonising European regulatory frameworks and ensuring that phage products can reach the market safely and efficiently.