Research Progress on Tea Grey Blight and Disease Resistance of Tea Plants

Tea grey blight is a major foliar disease of tea plants worldwide. The symptoms generally appear on mature leaves infected by different Pestalotiopsis species. The disease can spread quickly under warm and humid climates. If many plants are infected and defoliated, it can become a serious problem for the plantation. This article summarizes the reports published in 2013-2023 relating to the studies on the occurrence, typical damages on tea plants, major pathogens involved, infection and resistance mechanisms as well as existing disease control and prevention techniques of tea grey blight. Suggestions for future studies to foster green control and breeding of resistant varieties in combating the disease are discussed.