Castor bean (Ricinus communis L.) of family Euphorbiaceae is indigenous to eastern Africa and most probably originated in Ethiopia. It is widely distributed throughout the tropics, sub-tropics and temperate regions of the world. India is largest producer in the world and contributes 55-60 per cent of global production. The plant has several bioactive compounds or secondary metabolites that having medicinal and antimicrobial properties. In India, it has been documented since 2000 BC for lighting lamps and in local medicine. It is used as laxative, purgative and cathartic in Unani, Ayurvedic and other ethnomedical systems. The yield of crop reduced due to attack of several pathogens like fungi, bacteria, virus, mycoplasma and nematode diseases throughout the world which causes severe losses, reduces plating and market value of the crop. The main diseases are root rot, gray rot, seedling blight, alternaria blight, leaf blight, brown leaf spot, cotton rot, grey mold; inflorescence and stem rot, fruit rot, charcoal rot, wilt, leaf rust, powdery mildew, bacterial blight and leaf spot.