Minor pathogens: A worldwide challenge to cultivation of crucifers

The Brassicas encounter several well known pathogens like Albugo, Alternaria, Hyaloperonospora, Erysiphe, Leptosphaeria, Plasmodiophora, and Sclerotinia causing White rust, Alternaria blight, Downy mildew, Powdery mildew, black leg or phoma root rot and white stem rot, respectively. In addition to above, several minor pathogens such as anthracnose [Colletotrichum higginsianum Sacc. C. capsici], light leaf spot [Pyrenopeziza brassicae], stem and root rot [Rhizoctonia solani Kühn], wilt [Verticillium longisporum (ex. V. dahliae var. longisporum Stark; comb. nov. Karapapa)], Fusarium wilt [Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. conglutinans; F. equisiti], black rot [Xanthomonas campestris pv. campestris (Pam.) Dowson (Xcc)], and mosaic (Turnip mosaic virus: TuMV) are now becoming most widespread and devastating diseases worldwide. Under changing climate situations, the disease scenario is shifting and the minor pathogens are becoming major pathogens and causing considerable yield losses, which range from 10–80 per cent. The information available on various minor pathogens on their host range, distribution, yield losses, symptomatology, epidemiology and effective disease management is presented in this review for the benefit of both researchers and growers of cruciferous crops.