Exploring the Perilous Nature of Phytophthora: Insights into Its Biology, Host Range, Detection, and Integrated Management Strategies in the Fields of Spices and Plantation Crops

Abstract

The horticultural crops, including spices and plantation crops, are known for their enormous benefits, contributing to the country’s economy. However, Phytophthora, a genus of Oomycetes class, poses a threat to spice and plantation crops by infecting and damaging them, resulting in yield losses, economic hardship for farmers, and food security concerns, thereby threatening the sustainability of spice and plantation crops. Moreover, Phytophthora has greater adaptation systems in varying environmental conditions. Therefore, eradicating or controlling Phytophthora is a highly challenging process due to the longevity of its infective propagules in soil. Early detection and curative measures would be more effective in managing this destructive pathogen. Additionally, molecular detection using innovative methods such as polymerase chain reaction, reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction, recombinase polymerase amplification, and loop-mediated isothermal amplification would offer reliable and rapid detection. Furthermore, integrated disease management strategies, combining cultural, physical, chemical, and biological methods, would prove highly beneficial in managing Phytophthora infections in spices and plantation crops. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the diversity, symptomatology, pathogenicity, and impact of Phytophthora diseases on prominent spice and plantation crops. Finally, our review explores the current disease reduction strategies and suggests future research directions to address the threat posed by Phytophthora to spices and plantation crops