Phytophthora infestans (Mont.) de Bary (Peronosporales: Pythiaceae): A REVIEW OF LIFE HISTORY, EVOLUTIONARY STATUS OF PATHOGEN, HOST RANGE, MATING TYPES, SYMPTOMOLOGY, DISEASE CYCLE, MEANS OF DISPERSAL, EXTENT OF LOSSES, AND MANAGEMENT

Potato, Solanum tuberosum L. (Solanales: Solanaceae) is one of the most widely grown food crops in the world and produces approximately twice as many calories per hectare as rice and wheat. It is thought to be the most important food crop having excellent nutritional value. Several diseases affect potato crop but late blight caused by Phytophthora infestans (Mont.) de Bary is the most important one affecting potatoes. This disease has the tendency to destroy potato crop completely in no time. Thus, it was imperative to review the various aspects of P. infestans (Mont.) de Bary, its life history, evolutionary status of P. infestans, symptomology, disease cycle, means of dispersal, extent of losses, and disease management through conventional/commercial fungicides and plant extracts/ non-conventional ways of disease management.