Tobacco black shank (TBS), caused by the oomycete pathogen Phytophthora nicotianae, is a destructive soilborne disease that seriously threatens tobacco production worldwide. This review summarizes recent progress in the infection biology of P. nicotianae, the disturbance of rhizosphere microbial communities under disease pressure, and integrated strategies for disease management. Current evidence indicates that TBS development is not only associated with direct pathogen infection, but also with