POTATO LATE BLIGHT CAUSED BY PHYTOPHTHORA INFESTANS: BIOLOGY,EPIDEMIOLOGY, CLIMATE CHANGE, AND SUSTAINABLE MANAGEMENT STRATEGIES

Abstract

Potato late blight, caused by Phytophthora infestans, remains one of the mostdestructive diseases affecting global potato production, resulting in substantial yield and economiclosses. This review summarizes the pathogen’s biology, disease cycle, epidemiology, host–pathogeninteractions, and current diagnostic approaches, along with major management strategies, includingcultural practices, host resistance, biological control, botanical extracts, chemical control, diseaseforecasting, and integrated disease management. It also highlights the impacts of climate changeon disease distribution and severity, as well as recent advances in molecular breeding, genomeediting, and precision agriculture. Overall, sustainable management of potato late blight requiresintegrating resistant cultivars, environmentally friendly control measures, disease forecasting, andjudicious fungicide use. Continued research on durable resistance, climate-smart management, andemerging biotechnological tools will be essential to enhance potato resilience and ensure futurefood security.