Developing innovative phytosanitary treatments for plant pests

Potato is one of the most important food crops worldwide, with significant economic value. Bacterial soft rot caused by Pectobacterium and Dickeya species poses a major threat to potato production and post-harvest storage. These Gram-negative pathogens spread rapidly under humid conditions and degrade plant tissues through pectolytic enzymes, leading to substantial losses. The standard post-harvest control strategy relies on washing tubers with diluted chlorine solutions. While effective, this approach has notable limitations, including the risk of physiological damage to tubers, consumer and regulatory concerns regarding chemical residues, and environmental challenges associated with wastewater management. There is therefore a clear need for sustainable, non-chemical alternatives.

BioArmix offers an environmentally friendly biological solution based on natural, non-GMO predatory bacteria that selectively eliminate Gram-negative pathogens. Preliminary experiments have demonstrated promising efficacy, achieving a three-fold reduction in post-harvest potato decay. In this proposal, optimization of the treatment application method (e.g. fogging or dipping) and key treatment parameters (including dosage, exposure time, and temperature) will be evaluated to identify the most cost-effective strategy for suppressing bacterial soft rot during storage and subsequent shelf life. We are seeking partners with complementary technologies or expertise, in addition to commercial partners, to support development, validation, and market uptake of the proposed solution.