Abstract: Sunflower is an important oil crop in China.Alternaria helianthi is a common sunflower disease caused by Alternaria alternata,which mainly damages the leaves and stems of sunflower.At present,there are no completely resistant sunflower varieties in the world.Alternaria helianthi was first discovered in China in1966.There were many reports on Alternaria helianthi in 1980 s,and there were few reports on diseases in recent ten years.In this paper,the research history of Alternaria helianthi in China was reviewed and summarized.Combined with the research status of Alternaria helianthi abroad in recent 20 years,the research progress of Alternaria helianthi at home and abroad was systematically elaborated from the aspects of damage symptoms,pathogen research,pathogenic mechanism,seed borne pathogen detection,disease resistance breeding and integrated control methods.The aim is to provide scientific researchers and production workers with a convenient way to quickly understand the Alternaria helianthi.In case of sudden disease,we can accurately grasp the disease treatment method at the first time.At the same time,we hope that the disease related researchers and production front-line workers will pay attention to Alternaria helianthi,plant disease control needs long-term monitoring,and the disease research also needs continuity.