Abstract
Spinach (Spinacia oleracea) popularity and consumption has increased with the rise of the spring mix salad industry. The crop however is susceptible to a number of leaf spot diseases including anthracnose, Stemphylium leaf spot, and Cladosporium leaf spot, all of which can be seed-borne. The incidence of the latter is caused by the fungal pathogen Cladosporium variabile Link and has noticeably increased in frequency and severity in recent years. Cladosporium leaf spot lesions are typically round and tan rarely exceeding 1 cm in diameter. The disease is favored by long periods of leaf wetness but is usually only a minor problem in the baby spinach grown for spring mix. Cladosporium leaf spot can however be a significant problem in Florida leaf spinach grown for the fresh market