Disease Forewarning and Management of Alternaria Blight of Crucifers-A Review

Abstract

Alternaria blight of crucifers caused by Alternaria brassicae and A. brassicicola causes unavoidable economic losses. The disease progression under field conditions is mainly influenced by environmental conditions, including temperature range of 15-25C, relative humidity >90 per cent, wind velocity of 2-5 kmh with intermittent rains. Disease forecasting models have been developed taking into account the leaf wetness period, number of rainy days, minimum, maximum, and optimum temperatures, relative humidity, date of sowing, variety, and species of Brassica crops grown under different agro-ecological conditions. Management of any disease is difficult with a single method or approach, to make it feasible, viable, stable, effective, and economical measures need to be taken. It is crucial to integrate all possible methods of plant disease management including cultural, chemical, biological, and host plant resistance for effective management of Alternaria blight of Brassicaceous plants.