AgriPhage FAQ: Biological Bactericide Questions Answered
What is AgriPhage®?
AgriPhage® AgriPhage is an EPA-registered biological bactericide developed by OmniLytics, Inc. that uses bacteriophages to control bacterial diseases in crops.
AgriPhage Bactericides target only harmful bacteria, leaving plants, beneficial organisms, pollinators, and people unaffected.
- AgriPhage Spot & Speck (EPA Reg. 67986-1)
- AgriPhage – Tomato Canker (EPA Reg. 67986-6)
- AgriPhage – Fire Blight (EPA Reg. 67986-8)
- AgriPhage – Citrus Canker (EPA Reg. 67986-9)
- AgriPhage – Nut & Stone (EPA Reg. 67986-10)
What are bacteriophages?
They work through a process called lysis:
- Phage attaches to target bacterium within seconds
- Injects genetic material
- Forces bacterium to produce new phages
- Cell bursts and releases 20-100 new phages
- New phages attack nearby bacteria
How does AgriPhage work?
When applied, AgriPhage coats plant surfaces with billions of phages that immediately begin targeting harmful bacteria. Each time a bacterium is destroyed, more phages are produced, increasing their numbers and effectiveness during treatment.
This natural amplification allows AgriPhage to overwhelm plant pathogens quickly, helping plants redirect energy toward growth and fruit production.
How is AgriPhage made?
AgriPhage is researched, developed, and manufactured in the United States by OmniLytics, Inc. in Salt Lake City, Utah using proprietary fermentation techniques in industrial bioreactors. This controlled process produces the most optimal phage concentrations in the industry.
Research and testing show AgriPhage is:
- Safe for humans
- Safe for insects and bees
- Safe for beneficial bacteria
- Free of bacterial or fungal contaminants
What are the benefits of AgriPhage?
AgriPhage provides effective control of bacterial diseases while reducing reliance on harsh chemicals and antibiotics. Because phages target only harmful bacteria, beneficial organisms remain intact, supporting plant health and soil biology.
- MRL Exempt
- 4-hour REI
- 0-day PHI
- FOR ORGANIC PRODUCTION
- Yield increases of 8–33% vs. standard programs
- Improved fruit quality
- Higher marketable yields
- Reduced chemical load in soil
Will AgriPhage increase my yield?
Yes. By reducing bacterial infections and avoiding plant stress caused by harsh chemical treatments, plants can direct more energy toward fruit growth. Trials have demonstrated yield increases of up to 33% using AgriPhage compared to standard chemical programs.
Is it safe to spray AgriPhage?
Yes. AgriPhage Bactericides:
- Are MRL-exempt
- Have a 4-hour worker re-entry interval
- Have a 0-day pre-harvest interval
- Reviewed for organic production through the USDA National Organic Program
- Reviewed by Washington State Department of Agriculture Organic Program
- Contain no harsh chemicals
- Are never phytotoxic
Do bacteria develop resistance?
Resistance risk is extremely low. Each AgriPhage product contains a cocktail of up to eight genetically and physically distinct phages in a single formulation. This multi-strain approach makes it very difficult, if not impossible for bacteria to adapt to the cocktail.
AgriPhage has been applied weekly across thousands of tomato acres for more than 17 years with no detected resistance. Ongoing pathogen monitoring supports long-term effectiveness.
How is AgriPhage used alongside copper or antibiotics?
AgriPhage is not intended to always replace copper or antibiotic treatments. Instead, AgriPhage is commonly used in rotation or as part of an Integrated Pest Management (IPM) program to enhance overall disease control and extend the effectiveness of existing tools.
Because AgriPhage works through a completely different biological mode of action, it can help:
- Reduce reliance on repeated chemical applications
- Eliminate the pathogen variants that become resistant to copper and antibiotics
- Lower resistance pressure on traditional products
- Improve overall program performance
- Provide additional protection during high disease pressure
Why rotation matters
Bacterial pathogens can adapt when exposed repeatedly to the same chemistry. Rotating modes of action — including biological tools like AgriPhage — helps maintain long-term effectiveness of all products in a disease management program.
This approach helps growers:
- Preserve effectiveness of existing chemical inputs
- Strengthen resistance management strategies
- Improve season-long disease suppression
How do I prevent bacterial infection in my field?
AgriPhage can be applied preventatively throughout the growing season, from planting through harvest. Because low levels of bacteria are always present in fields, preventive treatments help suppress populations before environmental conditions cause disease outbreaks to occur.
AgriPhage can also be used after symptoms appear to slow pathogen spread and protect new growth.
How do I apply AgriPhage?
Typical dilution: 1:400
(1 quart per 100 gallons water)
Adjustments
- Preventive use → up to 1:800
- Heavy disease pressure → up to 1:100
- Greenhouse applications → 1:50
Proper spray coverage is essential because AgriPhage works by contact only.
AgriPhage has been tested through many different spray formats and nozzle configurations and has been shown to survive foggers, air blast sprayers, nozzles over 250 psi, electrostatic spray nozzles, and many other application systems.
When should I apply AgriPhage?
AgriPhage can be applied at any time of day and begins working immediately upon contact with bacteria.
Typical timing by crop
- Tomatoes & peppers — weekly from transplant through harvest
- Citrus — every 14–21 days during new growth flushes
- Stone fruit — from shuck split through cover sprays and post-harvest cleanup
- Apples & pears — bloom through petal fall, with optional season extension
Are There Water Quality Concerns?
Avoid mixing AgriPhage with chlorinated city water as chlorine is detrimental to the viability of phages. The addition of 1 gram of Sodium thiosulfate into 100 gallons of water is sufficient to neutralize the levels of chlorine most commonly used in municipal water systems.
Can AgriPhage be tank-mixed?
AgriPhage can be mixed with most fertilizers and crop inputs, but it should not be combined with copper products or other denaturing agents.
Add AgriPhage to the spray tank last, after all other products and water have been added to the tank.
How to Store AgriPhage?
AgriPhage should be stored and refrigerated at approximately 4°C / 39°F in a dry area. Avoid direct sunlight or extreme heat. When stored properly, AgriPhage remains stable for 18+ months.
Contact OmniLytics Today to Learn More About Our Product or to Place an Order!