Progress in research on the diseases of buckwheat

Buckwheat is an important source of coarse grains that have a high nutrient content, and is also a high-quality forage resource with potential for development. Diseases, which affect both quality and yield, are the main factors limiting buckwheat production. To date, 14 genera and 16 species of fungal pathogens causing disease in buckwheat have been identified, along with eight non-fungal diseases caused by bacteria, viruses, and nematode. Although both in China and in other countries studies have examined the effects, occurrence rates, and control strategies relating to the ring spot, downy mildew, root rot, and seedling blight diseases of buckwheat, there have been few similar studies on other leaf diseases and seed-borne fungi. In the future, we should focus to a greater extent on the etiology of the fungal diseases of buckwheat, the factors affecting buckwheat growth and associated pathogen diversity, strengthening the rule of occurrence, and developing appropriate control measures.