Abstract: Blackleg,caused by Leptosphaeria maculans and Leptosphaeria biglobosa,is the most severe disease of canola worldwide,which threatens the canola production,the seed quality,and even the canola international market.Historically,the disease destroyed the canola industry in Australia and Canada,but L. maculans has not been reported in China up to date.However,massive amount of canola seeds is annually imported from Australia,Canada,and Ukraine,etc.,where L. maculans is the major pathogen.Further more,many Chinese canola cultivars are highly susceptible to L. maculans.It raises concerns that L. maculans has a high invasion risk and could result in considerable damage to the Chinese canola industry,although strict quarantine measures are employed to prevent it from spreading into China.In this review,the following is discussed including pathogens of blackleg,epidemiology,damage and management strategies in Australia and Canada,which aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of L. maculans for canola growers in China with a view to establish a guideline of strategies to control the blackleg disease.

Key words: Blackleg disease, Leptosphaeria maculans, Leptosphaeria biglobosa, Management strategies