PROTECTION OF PLANTS AGAINST FROST INJURY USING ICE NUCLEATION-INHIBITING SPECIES-SPECIFIC BACTERIOPHAGES

摘要

ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSUREFrost-sensitive plants are protectedagainst frost injury by topical application theretoof non-phytotoxic virulent bacteriophages whichare species-specific to the ice-nucleating bacterianormally present on the plants. The bacteriophagesselectively attack the ice-nucleating bacteria andinhibit their ice-nucleating activity, therebyreducing the temperature at which frost injuryoccurs.