Brinjal Little Leaf Disease: An Emerging Threat to Brinjal Crop in India

Brinjal or eggplant stands as one of the most significant vegetable crops cultivated in tropical and subtropical regions. Despite its nutritional importance, brinjal is highly susceptible to brinjal little leaf (BLL), a destructive disease associated with phytoplasma presence presenting symptoms such as reduced leaf size, stunted growth, and various morphological abnormalities. Its presence in Indian fields ranges from 31% to 80% in infected crops. The disease has spread across various states, with incidence rates ranging from 8% to 50%. The highest incidence of BLL disease in India has been reported from Karnataka, followed by Tamil Nadu and Delhi. Diagnostic methods have changed from traditional symptom-based approaches to molecular techniques, enhancing pathogen detection and disease cycle understanding. Management strategies focus on developing resistant brinjal varieties, chemical treatments, and cultural practices to mitigate the disease impact. The study also delves into the genetic diversity of phytoplasmas associated with BLL disease in India. Identifying the phytoplasmas in 16SrVI-D subgroup as the prevalent along with phytoplasmas in 16SrI, 16SrII, 16SrIII and 16SrV groups also being reported from the country. This review underscores the multifaceted nature of this phytoplasma disease and the necessity for integrated approaches to manage BLL disease effectively.