Spinacia oleracea
spinach
29 Related Pests
Tomato black ring virus
virus
Lettuce Ringspot Virus, Bean Ringspot Virus, Beet Ringspot Virus, Celery Yellow Vein Virus, Lettuce Ringspot Virus,Potato Bouquet Virus, Potato Pseudo-Aucuba Virus,Tomato Black Ring Nepovirus
Asia: India, Japan, Saudi Arabia, Turkey; Europe: Albania, Belarus, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czechia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Lithuania, Moldova, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Russia, Serbia, Slovakia, Switzerland, Ukraine, UK
Not known to occur
China, Korea, Mexico, Thailand
2025-08-18
Tomato black ring virus spreads by sap contact, pollen, and seed, with seed transmission confirmed in many crops. Soil nematodes also vector it, though efficiency is low, and the spread in fields is patchy. Seed transmission is the main route for long-distance dispersal and survival between seasons.
Wide host range; however, many are experimental only.
Main: onion, leek, garlic, chive, celery, sugarbeet, cabbage, cauliflower, turnip, pepper, cucumber, lettuce, ryegrass, alfalfa, parsley, tomato, potato, spinach, cowpea.
No
No references found indicating spinach is a host for this virus.
Rhodococcus fascians
bacterium
Corynebacterium fascians, Bacterium fascians, Phytomonas fascians, Pseudobacterium fascians, Rhodococcus rubropertinctus
Europe, North America, Central America, Australia, New Zealand, Iran, Russia, Egypt, Colombia
Widespread
Brazil, Thailand
2023-08-21
Though found in many US states, the pathogen is usually restricted and localized. Probably Worldwide, though not reported. Disease outbreaks are sporadic and usually related to poor sanitation. Bulbs, floral and greenhouse crops most susceptible to disease outbreaks. No reports of seed as a pathway in vegetables and agronomic crops.
Primarily a pest of ornamentals, woody ornamentals and floowers. Vegetables and agronomic crops reported susceptible to the bacterium are listed below. Transmits primarily through propagation.
No
CORBFA-2
Though listed as a host in CABI CPC, no references found verifying that spinach is a host for this bacterium.
CORBFA-2
International Seed Federation Regulated Pest List Database. pestlist.worldseed.org Nyon Switzerland
Candidatus phytoplasma asteris
phytoplasma
Aconitum proliferation, Aconitum virescence, Alberta aster yellows, alfalfa stunt, Alstroemeria decline, American aster yellows, Anemone virescence, apple sessile leaf, apricot chlorotic leaf roll, azalea little leaf, banana elephantiasis, basil little leaf, Bermuda grass white leaf, black currant reversion, black pepper yellows, blueberry stunt, broccoli phyllody, Bunias phyllody, cactus virescence, cactus witches'-broom, Calendula virescence, canola yellows, Cardaria phyllody, carrot proliferation, carrot yellows, cassava phyllody phytoplasma, cassava witches' broom, Catharanthus little leaf, Catharanthus virescence, chayote witches'-broom, cherry bunch leaf, cherry little leaf, chlorantie, Chrysanthemum witches'-broom, Chrysanthemum yellows, Cirsium stunt, Cirsium yellows, clover phyllody, columbine virescence, coorg black pepper yellows, cosmos phyllody, Cyclamen virescence, dandelion yellows, Delphinium virescence, dill yellows, Diplotaxis virescence, dogfennel yellows, dogwood stunt, dwarf western aster yellows, eastern aster yellows, Echinacea phyllody, eggplant dwarf, eggplant little leaf, Epilobium phyllody, Erigeron yellows, European aster yellows, false ragweed, Festuca yellows, Gaillardia yellows, Gladiolus virescence, grapevine yellows, grey dogwood stunt, hyacinth yellows, Hydrangea phyllody and virescence, Ipomoea obscura witches' broom, Italian cabbage yellows, Italian lettuce yellows, kale phyllody, larkspur virescence, lazy daisy yellows, lettuce yellows, lilac little leaf, Limonium proliferation, Limonium yellows, Lotus yellows, maize bushy stunt, mallow yellows, marguerite yellows, marigold phyllody, marigold virescence, Maryland aster yellows, Mitsuba witches' broom, monarda yellows, mulberry dwarf, multiplier disease, New England aster yellows, New Jersey aster yellows, oat proliferation, Oenothera virescence, olive witches'-broom, onion phyllody, onion virescence, onion yellows, Papaver virescence, parsley yellows, Paulownia witches' broom, peach red leaf disease, pear proliferation and decline, periwinkle little leaf, periwinkle witches' broom and virescence, periwinkle yellows, Phytoplasma asteris, plantain virescence, Poa stunt, poplar witches' broom, poplar yellows, Portulaca yellows, potato purple top, prickly lettuce yellows, Primula yellows, pumpkin yellows, purple coneflower yellows, Quercus proliferation, ragweed yellows, Ranunculus phyllody, rape phyllody, rape virescence, rose witches'-broom, ryegrass yellows, safflower phyllody, Salix proliferation, sandal spike, Saponaria proliferation, Schizanthus proliferation, severe western aster yellows, soybean purple stem, Spirea stunt, Stellaria yellows, strawberry green petal, strawberry phylloid fruit, strawberry stunting, Symphytum proliferation, Tacaco witches'-broom, Tagetes witches' broom, Thalictrum proliferation, tomato big bud, tomato yellows, turnip virescence, Veronica phyllody, watercress witches'-broom, western aster yellows, wild radish yellows
Worldwide
Widespread
-
2024-11-09
Candidatus Phytoplasma asteris is naturally transmitted by a wide range of leafhopper, Macrosteles fascifrons is reported to be the principal vector. Seed is not a pathway.
Wide host range, primarily herbaceous dicots, though strains infect monocots and woody ornamentals
No
CABICPC
Seed is not a known pathway.
CABICPC
Verticillium nigrescens
fungus
Gibellulopsis nigrescens
Asia: China, Japan; North America: USA
GA
Brazil
2025-09-05
Verticillium nigrescens (now often called Gibellulopsis nigrescens) is a mostly saprophytic soil-borne fungus and a weak or opportunistic plant pathogen. It survives in soil and plant debris mainly as chlamydospores and can infect roots when germination is triggered by root exudates. Transmission occurs through soil and possibly contaminated plant material, but there is no confirmed evidence of seed transmission.
Soybean and cotton are main hosts, but even on these hosts it is a weak pathogen.
No
VERTNI-3, CABI CPC, RICH ISTA, VERTNI-6
Found on seed of spinach accessions, but not proven to be pathogenic. No references found indicating seed is a pathway in seed production.
VERTNI-3, CABI CPC, RICH ISTA, VERTNI-6
Freezing blotter
VERTNI-3
Freezing blotter method used to isolate this fungus from spinach seed in research. This method has not been standardized or validated.
Villarroel-Zeballos, Feng, Iglesias, du Toit, Correll. 2012. Screening for Resistance to Verticillium Wilt in Spinach and Isolation of Verticillium dahliae from Seed of Spinach Accessions. HORTSCIENCE 47:1297–1303
Crop Protection Compendium. Wallingford, UK: CAB International. www.cabi.org/cpc.
Richardson, MJ. 1990. An Annotated List of Seedborne Diseases. International Seed Testing Association, Zurich Switzerland.
Vesper, S. J., Turner, J. T., & Phillips, D. V. (1983). Incidence of Verticillium nigrescens in soybeans. Phytopathology, 73(9), 1338-1340.
Verticillium dahliae
fungus
Verticillium albo-atrum f. angustum.
Verticillium albo-atrum var. chlamydosporale
Verticillium albo-atrum var. dahliae
Verticillium albo-atrum var. medium.
Verticillium dahliae f. angustum
Verticillium dahliae f. cerebriforme
Verticillium dahliae f. chlamydosporale
Verticillium dahliae f. medium
Verticillium dahliae f. zonatum
Verticillium ovatum
Verticillium trachiephilum
Worldwide
Widespread
China
2022-11-11
Prevalent in China
Verticillium dahliae has a broad host range, infecting both woody and herbaceous plants, including ornamentals, native species, and weeds. Economically important hosts include artichoke, eggplant, bell pepper, cotton, hop, lettuce, mints, oilseed rape, olive, potato, strawberry, and tomato.
Yes
VERTDA-26, VERTDA-5, VERTDA-6, VERTDA-28
Seed is a known pathway for Verticillium dahliae in spinach and the recommended management strategy is to evaluate seed productions by field inspection or seed testing of a representative sample of each seed lot.
Both methods are standard methods of the NSHS
VERTDA-26, VERTDA-5, VERTDA-6, VERTDA-28
Freezer Blotter, Agar methods
VERTDA-26, VERTDA-7
These methods have been validated and standardized.
Yes, disinfestation with 1.2 chlorine or hot water, though the later affected seed quality
VERTDA-5
International Seed Federation Regulated Pest List Database. www.pestlist.worldseed.org. Nyon, Switzerland
du Toit, L.J. and Hernandez-Perez, P. (2005). Efficacy of hot water and chlorine for eradication of Cladosporium variabile, Stemphylium botryosum, and Verticillium dahliae from spinach seed. Plant Disease, 89 (12), 1305-1312.
du Toit, L.J., Derie, M L. and Hernandez-Perez, P. (2005). Verticillium wilt in spinach seed production. Plant Disease, 89 (1), 4-11.
Koike, S.T., Gladders, P. and Paulus, A.O. (2007). Vegetable Diseases: A color handbook. Academic Press: Burlington, MA, 451 pp.
Seed Health Testing Method for Verticillium dahlia Lcb 4.1 National Seed Health System. http://www.seedhealth.org
Phytophthora erythroseptica var. erythroseptica
fungus
Phytophthora himalayensis, Phytophthora erythroseptica
Worldwide, especially where potatoes are grown
Widespread in potato growing regions
China
2023-08-21
This pathogen has not been repoted in China. True seed is not known to be a pathway.
This is an important pathogen of potato. Affects a few other important crops, but not known to be a serious pathogen of other crops. Most crops not known to be a host in nature.
No
PHYTER-1
Not a host. Spinach, as a host has only been established under artificial inoculation, infection in nature not reported. True seed is not known to be a pathway.
PHYTER-1
Phytophthora erythroseptica var. erythroseptica In: Crop Protection Compendium. Wallingford, UK: CAB International. www.cabi.org/cpc.
Phytophthora fragariae
fungus
Phytophthora fragariae var. oryzobladis
Africa: Egypt; Asia: India, Israel, Japan, Lebanon, Syria; Europe: Austria, Belgium, Cyprus, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Lithuania, Luzembourg, Netherlands, Norway, Russia, Serbia, Slovakia, Switzerland, UK; North America: Canada, Mexico, USA; Oceania: Australia, New Zealand; south America: Chile, Ecuador
AR, CA, CO, CT, DE, FL, IL, IN, IA, KY, ME, MD, MA, MI, NH, NY, NC, OH, OK, OR, PA, RI, TN, VT, VI, WA, WV, WI
China
2025-09-09
Phytophthora fragariae is a serious disease of strawberry causing red stele root rot. It primarily infects the root system, which impairs water and nutrient uptake. The pathogen survives in soil for many years and is favored by cool, wet conditions. Its main natural host is cultivated strawberry, though a few related plants in the Rosaceae family can also be susceptible. It is not known to cause disease in unrelated crops.
Main: strawberry, raspberry
No
PHYTFR-2
A host by artificial inoculation only.
PHYTFR-2
Erwin DC, Ribeiro OK, 1996. Phytophthora Diseases Worldwide. American Phytopathological Society Press, St Paul, Minnesota, USA:
Broad bean wilt virus
virus
Broad bean wilt fabavirus, Catalpa chlorotic leaf spot virus, Nasturtium ringspot virus, Nasturtium white spot virus, Pea streak virus, Patchouli mild mosaic virus, Patchouli mild mottle virus, Petunia ringspot virus, Tropaeolum ringspot virus, Plantago II virus
Africa: Egypt, Ethiopia, Morocco, South Africa, Sudan, Tanzania, Tunisia; Asia: Bangladesh, China, India, Iran, Iraq, Japan, Jordan, North Korea, Philippines, Singapore, South Korea, Syria, Taiwan, Turkey; Europe: Bulgaria, Czechia, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Poland, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, United Kingdom; North America, USA; Oceania: Australia, New Zealand; South America: Argentina.
FL, MN, NY, OH, SC, VT, WI
Mexico
2024-09-03
Broad bean wilt virus has only shown possible seed transmission in faba beans through artificial inoculation. It is not known to be common in nature. The virus is transmissible by sap inoculation and by several aphid species in the non-persistent.
Broad bean wilt virus has been reported in natural infections of 180 species of 41 plant families and thus has a very extensive natural host range. Main host families are: Apiaceae, Brassicaceae, Fabaceae, and Solanaceae.
No
CABICPC, ISFRPLD, DPVWEB
Seed is not known to be a pathway.
CABICPC, ISFRPLD, DPVWEB
Lettuce mosaic virus
virus
Lactuca virus 1, lettuce, Mosaic potyvirus, lettuce virus 1, Marmor lactucae
Worldwide, where lettuce is grown.
CA, CO, FL, ID, NY, OH, OR, PA, SC, WA, WI
Mexico
2025-09-23
Lettuce mosaic virus causes mottling, stunting, and poor head formation in lettuce, making it one of the most damaging diseases affecting lettuce worldwide. It is primarily transmitted by aphids in a non-persistent manner, mechanically through sap and through infected seed in lettuce.
Main: lettuce, chicory; Other: spinach, pea, endive, chickpea, safflower
No
CABI CPC, DPV WEB
No references found indicating spinach seed is a pathway.
CABI CPC, DPV WEB
Sowbane mosaic virus
virus
Apple latent virus 2, Chenopodium mosaic virus, Chenopodium seed-borne mosaic virus, Chenopodium star mottle virus, SoMV, Sowbane mosaic sobemovirus
Africa: Morocco; Asia: Japan, Turkey; Europe: Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, France, Greece, Hungary, Italy; North America: Canada, USA; Oceania: Australia.
CA, MD
China
2024-12-31
Transmission through insect vectors. Only chenopodium seeds have been shown to be a pathway.
Main: quinoa; Other: spinach, beet,
uncertain
SOMV00-2, SOMV00-5, SOMV00-7, CABI CPC, ISF RPLD, DPV WEB
References indicating seed may be a pathway used artificially inoculated seed or seed contamination was shown in only one cultivar. There is not enough evidence to determine if seed is a pathway for this virus in this host. Only seed from some species of the genus Chenopodium have been shown to be a pathway
SOMV00-2, SOMV00-5, SOMV00-7, CABI CPC, ISF RPLD, DPV WEB
Bennett CW, Costa AS, 1961. Sowbane mosaic caused by a seed-transmitted virus. Phytopathology, 51:546-550.
Bos, L. and Huijberts, N. (1996). Occurrence and transmission of sowbane mosaic virus in seed from naturally infected plants of spinach (Spinacia oleracea). European Journal of Plant Pathology, 102: 707-711.
Richardson, MJ, 1990. An Annotated List of Seed-borne Diseases. International Seed Testing Association, Zurich Switzerland
Crop Protection Compendium. Wallingford, UK: CAB International. www.cabi.org/cpc.
International Seed Federation Regulated Pest List Database. pestlist.worldseed.org Nyon Switzerland
Description of Plant Viruses ; http://dpvweb.net/dpv/
Peronospora farinosa f.sp. spinaciae
fungus
Botrytis effusa, Botrytis farinosa, Peronospora effusa, Peronospora spinaciae
Africa: Egypt; Asia: Japan, South Korea; Europe: France, Germany, Italy, Netherlands; North America: USA.
AR, CA, CO, DE, FL, MD, NJ, NY, OK, TX, VI
Brazil
2025-06-06
Peronospora farinosa f. sp. spinaciae, mainly referred to as Peronospora effusa is primarily spread through airborne sporangia, but oospores can also be seedborne directly infecting seedlings making seed a well-accepted pathway for this fungus.
spinach
Yes
PEROFS-2, PEROFS-3, PEROFS-4, CABI CPC, PEROFS-6, PEROFS-7, PEROFS-8, PEROFS-9, PEROFS-10, PEROFS-11
Seed as a pathway is well established and accepted.
NSHS has two standard wash methods.
PEROFS-2, PEROFS-3, PEROFS-4, CABI CPC, PEROFS-6, PEROFS-7, PEROFS-8, PEROFS-9, PEROFS-10, PEROFS-11
Wash Test, Grow out
PEROFS-4, NSHS USDA
Wash test is a standard method of the NSHS. NSHS NSHS Method: Lcb 3.1 Wash Test. Commercially available growout testing also available.
Biological, Chemical, cultural
PEROFS-3
Spinach downy mildew is effectively managed in conventional production through a combination of resistant cultivars, preventive fungicides, seed treatments, crop rotation, debris removal, and reduced leaf wetness.
Voll, E., A. M. Brighenti, D. L. P. Gazziero, and F. S. Aegas. 2004. Dinâmica da população de Cardiospermum halicacabum e competição com a cultura da soja. Pesquisa Agropecuaris Brasileira. Brasília. 39(1):27-33.
International Seed Federation Regulated Pest List Database. www.pestlist.worldseed.org Nyon, Switzerland
Inaba, T., Takahashi, K. and Morinaka, T. (1983). Seed transmission of spinach downy mildew. Plant Disease, 67, 1139-1141.
Crop Protection Compendium. Wallingford, UK: CAB International. www.cabi.org/cpc.
Kandel, S. L., Mou, B., Shishkoff, N., Shi, A., Subbarao, K. V., and Klosterman, S. J. 2019. Spinach downy mildew: Advances in our understanding of the disease cycle and prospects for disease management. Plant Dis. 103:791‐803.
Klosterman, S. J., Clark, K. J., Anchieta, A. G., Kandel, S. L., Mou, B., McGrath, M. T., ... & Shishkoff, N. (2024). Transmission of spinach downy mildew via seed and infested leaf debris. Plant Disease, 108(4), 951-959.
Inaba, T., and Morinaka, T. 1984. Heterothallism in Peronospora effusa. Phytopathology 74:214‐216.
Fletcher, K., Shin, O.-H., Clark, K. J., Feng, C., Putman, A. I., Correll, J. C., Klosterman, S. J., Van Deynze, A., and Michelmore, R. W. 2022. Ancestral chromosomes for family Peronosporaceae inferred from a telomere-to-telomere genome assembly of Peronospora effusa. Mol. Plant-Microbe Interact. 35:450‐463.
Feng, C., Saito, K., Liu, B., Manley, A., Kammeijer, K., Mauzey, S. J., Koike, S., and Correll, J. C. 2018. New races and novel strains of the spinach downy mildew pathogen Peronospora effusa. Plant Dis. 102:613‐618.
Dhillon, B., Feng, C., Villarroel-Zeballos, M. I., Castroagudin, V. L., Bhattarai, G., Klosterman, S. J., and Correll, J. C. 2020. Sporangiospore viability and oospore production in the spinach downy mildew pathogen, Peronospora effusa. Plant Dis. 104:2634‐2641.
United Stated Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Protection Service National Seed Health System (USDA-APHIS NSHS) www.seedhealth.org
Pleospora herbarum
fungus
Too many to list, most commonly used names include Alternaria putrefaciens, Clasterosporium putrefaciens, Sporidesmium putrefaciens, Stemphyllium botryosum, Stemphylium herbarum.
Worldwide
Widespread
2023-08-21
Primarily a post harvest pathogen
Wide host range
Yes
PLEOHE-3, PLEOHE-4
Seed is a known pathway in spinach.
Freezing blotter incubation is the standard method of the NSHS
PLEOHE-3, PLEOHE-4
Freezing blotter incubation
PLEOHE-3, PLEOHE-5
Fungicide seed treatments
PLEOHE-2, PLEOHE-4, PLEOHE-3
du Toit L, Hernandez-Perez P, 2005. Efficacy of hot water and chlorine for eradication of Cladosporium variabile, Stemphylium botryosum, and Verticillium dahliae from spinach seed. Plant Disease, 89:1305-1312.
International Seed Federation Regulated Pest List Database. www.pestlist.worldseed.org. Nyon, switzerland
Seed Health Testing Method for Stemphylium botryosum fsp spinacia Lcb 6.1 National Seed Health System, 2017. www.seedhealth.org
Barnwal MK, Prasad SM, Maiti D, 2003. Efficacy of fungicides and bioagents against Stemphylium blight of onion. Indian Phytopathology, 56(3):291-292.
Arabis mosaic virus
virus
Arabis mosaic nepovirus, Ash ring and line pattern virus, forsythia yellow net virus, hop nettlehead virus, jasmine yellow blotch virus, raspberry yellow dwarf virus, Rhabarber mosaik virus (rhubarb mosaic virus), rhubarb mosaic virus
Africa: Egypt, South Africa; Asia: India, Iran, Japan, Kazakhstan, Lebanon, Syria, Turkey; Europe: Austria, Belarus, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czechia, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Moldova, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Romania, Russia, Serbia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Ukraine, UK; North America: Canada, Mexico, USA; Oceania: Australia, New Zealand; South America: Chile, Peru
CT, FL, MI, MN, MO, NE, NY, OH, SC
Mexico, China, Korea, Brazil, Thailand
2025-09-11
Arabis mosaic virus is a virus in the genus Nepovirus that infects a wide range of crops. It is transmitted mainly by the nematode Xiphinema diversicaudatum in soil and through infected planting material, with mechanical transmission possible. A heavily cited report from 1967 suggests seed transmission in some species, but no further evidence has been found since.
Wide host range including many vegetable, agronomic and fruit species. Main: celery, asparagus, sugarbeet, cucumber, carrot, lettuce, clover.
Not a host
ARMV00-5, ARMV00-11
No references found indicating spinach seed as a host of Arabis mosaic virus.
ARMV00-5, ARMV00-11
Lister and Murant. 1967. Seed-transmission of nematode-borne viruses. Annals of Applied Biology, 59:49-62.
Murant, A.F. (1985). Arabis mosaic nepovirus. In: Brunt, A.A., Crabtree, K., Dallwitz, M.J., Gibbs, A.J., Watson, L. and Zurcher, E.J. (eds.) (1996 onwards). Plant Viruses Online: Descriptions and Lists from the VIDE Database. Version: 16th January 1997.
Spinach latent virus
virus
Spinach latent ilarvirus
Europe: Hungary, Netherlands, Serbia; North America: USA; Oceania: New Zealand,
CA, VA
Brazil, Korea
2025-08-01
Spinach latent ilarvirus infects spinach but typically causes no visible symptoms. It's primarily transmitted via contaminated seed or mechanical means.
Spinach in nature. Artificially inoculated into common bean, beet, quinoa, cucumber, tomato
Yes
SPLV00-1, SPLV00-2, SPLV00-3, SPLV00-4, SPLV00-5, SPLV00-6, DPV WEB
Seed can be a pathway for Spinach latent virus in spinach. It is symptomless and of little or no importance in spinach production.
SPLV00-1, SPLV00-2, SPLV00-3, SPLV00-4, SPLV00-5, SPLV00-6, DPV WEB
Nested PCR
SPLV00-1
This test has not been verified or standardized and is no longer in use.
No references found on risk mitigation or seed treatment
International Seed Federation Regulated Pest List Database. www.pestlist.worldseed.org
Bos, Huttinga & Maat, 1980. Spinach latent virus, a new ilarvirus seed-borne in Spinacia oleracea Neth. J. Pl. Path. 86: 79.
Stefanac & Wrischer. 1983. Spinach Latent Virus: Some Properties and Comparison of Two Isolates Acta bot. croat. 42: 1-9.
Stefenac, 1978. Investigation of viruses and virus diseases of spinach in Croatia. Acta bot. croat. 37:39-46
Vargas-Asencio, J.; McLane, H.; Bush, E.; Perry, K. L. 2013, Spinach latent virus infecting tomato in Virginia, United States. Plant Disease 97:1663-1664
Bos, L. 1984. Spinach latent virus Datasheet 281. Description of Plant Viruses. www.dpvweb.net
Description of Plant Viruses ; http://dpvweb.net/dpv/
Beet necrotic yellow vein virus
virus
Beet rhizomania virus, beet necrotic yellow vein furovirus, beet yellow vein virus
Africa: Egypt, South Africa, Tunisia; Asia: China, Iran, Japan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Lebanon, Mongolia, Pakistan, Syria, Turkey; Europe: Austrla, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czechia, Denmark, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Lithuania, Netherlands, Poland, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Ukraine, UK; North America: USA; South America: Brazil.
CA, CO, ID, MI, MN, MT, NE, NM, ND, OR, TX, WA, WY
Korea
2025-06-06
Primarily causing rhizomania in sugar beet. Transmitted by the fungal vector Polymyxa betae. Seed is not known to be a pathway. Widespread in sugar beet production areas.
Main: sugar beet, table beet, swiss chard, spinach
No
CABI CPC, DPV WEB, EPPO
Spinach seed is not known to be a pathway.
CABI CPC, DPV WEB, EPPO
Beet mild yellowing virus
virus
beet mild yellowing luteovirus, beet western yellows virus
Africa: Eritrea, Ethiopia, Sudan, Tunisia; Asia: China, Iran, Syria, Taiwan, Turkey, Yemen; Europe: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Denmark, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Lithuania, Netherlands, Poland, Romania, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, UK; North America: USA; Oceania: Australia; South America: Chile.
CA
Korea
2024-08-21
Aphid transmitted virus. Not transmitted by seed or pollen.
Main: beet, chard, sugarbeet, spinach.
No
CABICPC, BMYV00-7
Seed is not known to be a pathway.
CABICPC, BMYV00-7
Beet curly top virus
virus
Beet curly top geminivirus, beet curly top hybrigeminivirus, potato green dwarf virus, sugarbeet curly top virus, sugarbeet curly-leaf virus, sugarbeet virus 1, tomato yellow virus, tomato yellows virus, western yellow blight virus
Africa: Cote d'Ivoire, Egypt; Asia: India, Iran, Japan, Turkey; Europe: Cyprus, Italy; North America: Canada, Costa Rica, Mexico, USA; South America: Argentina, Bolivia, Uruguay.
Widespread
Korea
2024-06-19
BCTV is spread locally by insect vectors and internationally through infected host material or vectors. It is not known to be a seed transmitted virus in any host. It is More common in the western US where vectors are more common.
celery, table beet, sugarbeet, pepper, cucumber, cucurbits, common bean, tomato, cowpeas
No
BCTV00-5, CABICPC
Seed is not known to be a pathway in any host of Bean curly top virus
BCTV00-5, CABICPC
Beet western yellows virus
virus
Brassica virus 5, Malva yellows virus, Radish yellows virus, Turnip mild yellows virus, Turnip yellows virus luteovirus
Africa: Eritrea, Ethiopia, Tunisia; Asia: China, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Japan, Lebanon, Pakistan, South Korea, Syria, Thailand, Turkey, Yemen; Europe: Czechia, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Spain, UK; North America: USA; Oceania: Australia, New Zealand.
CA, IL, OR, WA
Korea
2024-08-21
Transmission is by aphid vectors, particularly the green peach aphid.
Main: Brassica spp., radish, spinach. Other: sugarbeet, chickpea, pepper.
No
BWYV00-3, CABICPC, ISFRPLD, DPVWEB
Seed is not known to be a pathway.
BWYV00-3, CABICPC, ISFRPLD, DPVWEB
Impatiens necrotic spot virus
virus
Tomato spotted wilt tospovirus, Impatiens strain
Africa: Egypt, Uganda; Asia: China, Iran, Japan, South Korea; Europe: Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Czechia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Gurnsey, Hungary, Italy, Lithuania, Netherlands, North Macedonia, Poland, Portugal, Serbia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, UK; North America: Canada, Costa Rica, Guatemala, Mexico, Panama, USA; Oceania: Australia, New Zealand; South America: Chile, Colombia.
Widespread
Korea
2024-09-07
The virus is closely related to Tomato spotted wilt virus and a member of the Tospovirus group of viruses which are thrip transmitted. Seed transmission is unlikely and not reported for any host.
Wide host range. Main: Impatiens. Other: many ornamentals and vegetables.
No
INSV00-1, INSV00-2
Thrip transmitted in nature. Seed is not known to be a pathway.
INSV00-1, INSV00-2
Difficult to control. Field control must consider the virus and the vector for success.
Tobacco rattle virus
virus
Aster ringspot virus, belladonna mosaic virus, paeony mosaic virus, paeony ringspot virus, peony mosaic virus, peony ringspot virus, potato corky ringspot virus, potato stem mottle virus, ratel virus, spinach yellow mottle virus, Tabakmauche Virus, Tabakstreifen und Kra, tobacco rattle tobravirus, tulip white streak virus
Worldwide
AK, CA, CO, FL, ID, IL, IN, MA, MI, MN, NE, NC, ND, OH, OR, PA, UT, WA, WI
Korea
2024-09-08
Tobacco Rattle Virus is soil-borne and transmitted between plants by the nematode species Trichodorus and Paratrichodorus. Seed is only known to be a pathway in some weed species.
TRV occurs on numerous crops in many countries and has been detected on over 100 mono- and dicotyledonous plant species.
No
CABICPC, RICHISTA, DPVWEB
Spinach is a host for Tobacco rattle virus and may cause yellow mottle symptoms. No references found indicating that seed is a pathway.
CABICPC, RICHISTA, DPVWEB
Erysiphe betae
fungus
Erysiphe communis, Erysiphe communis f. betae, Erysiphe communis f.sp. polygonorum, Erysiphe polygoni, Erysiphe polygoni f.sp. betae, Microsphaera betae, Oidium erysiphoides
Worldwide
AZ, CA, CO, ID, KS, MI, MT, ND, NE, NM, OR, TX, UT, WA, WY.
Korea
2024-09-11
Seed is not known to be a pathway. Conidia is wind-borne.
Main: sugar beet, carrot; Other: swiss chard, table beet, spinach
No
CABICPC
Seed is not known to be a pathway.
CABICPC
Pythium vexans
fungus
Pythium complectens, Phytopythium vexans, Pythium allantocladon, Pythium ascophallon, Pythium piperinum, Ovatisporangium vexans, Pythium euthyphyphon, Pythium polycladon
Africa, Asia, Europe, Guatemala, Caribbean, Fiji, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Argentina, Brazil, Venezuela, Chile, South Korea, New Zealand, Canada
HI, OK, CA, NC, MD, VA, DE, PA, NJ, WA, TN, LA, WI, IA
Korea
2023-08-21
Primarily affecting seedlings and roots and is transmitted mainly through infested soil. Seed is not known to be a pathway for any host. Zoospores of this fungus can swim in open water for a short distance. This pathogen has been reported in S. Korea. Korea lists this pathogen as Phytopythium vexans
Wide host range
No
PYTHVE-1, PYTHVE-3
Seed is not known to be a pathway for any host.
PYTHVE-1, PYTHVE-3
Tobacco leaf curl virus
virus
tobacco cabbaging virus, tobacco curly leaf virus, tobacco frenching virus, tobacco leaf curl begomovirus, tobacco leaf curl bigeminivirus, tobacco leaf curl geminivirus, tobacco leaf curl virus 1, tomato yellow dwarf virus
Africa: Burkino Faso, CAmeroon, Comoros, Congo, Egypt, Ghana, Madagascar, Malawi, Mauritius, Morocco, Mozambique, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, South Africa, Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, Zimbabwe; Asia: Cambodia, China, Georgia, India, Indonesia, Iraq, Japan, Malaysia, Myanmar, Pakistan, Philippines, South Korea, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Thailand, Yemen; Europe: Denmark, Romania, Spain, Switzrland; North America: Cuba, Jamaica, Panama, Puerto Rico, USA; Oceania: Papua New Guinea; South America: Colombia, Venezuela.
KY
Korea
2024-10-22
TLCV occurs widely in tropical and sub-tropical regions, but is also reported in temperate regions. The main vector for transmission is the whitefly(Bemisia tabaci). Seed is not known to be a pathway for this virus.
tobacco, pepper, tomato, spinach
No
CABICPC, DPVWEB
Seed is not known to be a pathway.
CABICPC, DPVWEB
Nacobbus aberrans
nematode
Anguillulina aberrans, Nacobbus batatiformis, Nacobbus bolivianus, Nacobbus serendipiticus, Nacobbus serendipiticus bolivianus, Pratylenchus aberrans
Egypt, Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Ecuador, Peru, Mexico
AR, CO, KS, MT, NE, SD, UT, WY
Korea
2023-08-21
Seed is not known to be a pathway for this nematode in any host.
potato, vegetables
No
NACOBA-1, NACOBA-2
Seed is not known to be a pathway for this nematode in any host. ISF Pest List Database (2020) does not consider spinach a host for this pathogen.
NACOBA-1, NACOBA-2
Cladosporium cladosporioides
fungus
Cladosporium graminum, Cladosporium herbarum, Mycosphaerella schoenoprasi, Mycosphaerella tulasnei, Mycosphaerella tassiana, Penicillium cladosporioides, Hormodendrum cladosporioides, Monilia humicola
Africa: Egypt, South Africa; Asia: Bangladesh, China, India, Iran, Israel, Oman, Saudi Arabia, South Korea, Syria; Europe: France, Hungary, Italy; North America: USA; South America: Argentina, Brazil
IA, OR
Korea
2025-10-07
This pathogen is considered primarily a post harvest pathogen that does not cause disease in most of it's hosts (CLADCL-1). C. cladosporioides spreads primarily by wind, rain splash, or contaminated surfaces. It can also persist on plant debris, some seeds, and stored produce, serving as inoculum for new infections. The fungus thrives in cool, moist environments and is especially common in greenhouses, storage areas, and outdoor crops during humid seasons.
Wide host range
No
CABI CPC, CLADCL-13, CLADCL-14
No references found indicating spinach seed is a pathway.
CABI CPC, CLADCL-13, CLADCL-14
Crop Protection Compendium. Wallingford, UK: CAB International. www.cabi.org/cpc.
Bensch, K., Groenewald, J.Z., Dijksterhuis, J., Starink-Willemse, M., Andersen, B., Summerell, B.A., Shin, H.-D., Dugan, F.M., Schroers, H. -J., Braun, U., and Crous, P.W. 2010. Species and ecological diversity within the Cladosporium cladosporioides complex (Davidiellaceae, Capnodiales). Stud. Mycol. 67: 1-96.
Bensch, K., Groenewald, J.Z., Braun, U., Dijksterhuis, J., de Jesus Yanez-Morales, M., and Crous, P.W. 2015. Common but different: The expanding realm of Cladosporium. Stud. Mycol. 82: 23-74.
Alternaria alternata
fungus
Alternaria alternata f.sp. fragariae
Alternaria alternata f.sp. lycopersici
Alternaria fasciculata
Alternaria tenuis
Worldwide
AL, CA, FL, GA, IL, IA, LA, MI, MS, NY, OR, PA, SD, TN, TX
Korea
2025-09-08
Alternaria alternata is a widespread fungus that can persist in soil and crop debris for many years, enabling it to infect plants across successive growing seasons. Its spores are dispersed by air, wind, water splash, irrigation, and contact with contaminated plant material. Numerous studies have demonstrated its transmission under experimental conditions, and it has been shown to be seed-transmitted in a few crops within the Malvaceae family.
Main: allium, pepper; Other: watermelon, sunflower, sorghum, spinach, marigold, many fruits and trees
No
CABI CPC, RICH ISTA, ALTEAL-34, ALTEAL-35, ALTEAL-73, ALTEAL-74, ALTEAL-75
Alternaria alternata is a common fungus that can be found on spinach seed, particularly from farmer-saved or local sources that have not been cleaned or conditioned for commercial sale. While the fungus can survive on seed and may affect seed quality under laboratory conditions, there is no evidence that it is transmitted from seed to plant under natural conditions. Therefore, the seed pathway for A. alternata in spinach is considered.
CABI CPC, RICH ISTA, ALTEAL-34, ALTEAL-35, ALTEAL-73, ALTEAL-74, ALTEAL-75
Agar plating
ALTEAL-35
This test has not been standardized or validated.
CHemical
ALTEAL-76
Seed treaments have shown to be effective.
Crop Protection Compendium. Wallingford, UK: CAB International. www.cabi.org/cpc.
Richardson, MJ. 1990. An Annotated List of Seedborne Diseases. International Seed Testing Association, Zurich Switzerland.
Anwar, W., et. al. 2010. Quality deterioration from fungi associated with spinach (Spinacia oleracea) seeds, collected from vegetable market of Lahore. Pakistan Journal of Seed Technology 2:58-62
Suprava, S. 2017. Seed Mycoflora, Pathogenicity and Control of Pathogens of Spinach. TUCL Digital Repository. http://107.170.122.150:8080/xmlui/handle/123456789/823
Mancini, V., Murolo, S., & Romanazzi, G. (2016). Diagnostic methods for detecting fungal pathogens on vegetable seeds. Plant Pathology, 65(5), 691-703.
G., Matic, S., Gullino, M. L., & Garibaldi, A. (2019). First report of Alternaria alternata causing leaf spot on spinach (Spinacia oleracea) in Italy. Plant Disease, 103(8), 2133-2133.
Czajka, A., Czubatka, A., Sobolewski, J., & Robak, J. (2015). First report of Alternaria leaf spot caused by Alternaria alternata on spinach in Poland. Plant Disease, 99(5), 729-729.
KIRAREI, E. (2019). Occurrence and Management of Alternaria Leaf Spot in Spinach using extracts from Ginger and tumeric plants (Doctoral dissertation, University of Eldoret).
Cladosporium variabile
fungus
Heterosporium variabile
Not reported.
AZ, CA, NC
Brazil
2023-04-27
Severe cases have been found in spinach seed. A quality systems approach in production of the seeds by crop inspections should reduce the chances of this organism being associated with the seed.
spinach
Yes
ISFRPLD
Seed can be a pathway. Severe cases can kill all leaves and infect seed. Infected volunteer spinach can serve as a source of inoculum.
ISFRPLD
Blotter - solid or liquid media methods
ISFRPLD
A seed test using a freeze blotter method is commercially available. This method has not been standardized or validated.
Physical, Chemical (seed coating and seed disinfection)
ISFRPLD
Seed treatment with fungicides is effective against the fungus. Commercial cleaning and sanitization of spinach seed would reduce the potential for this organism being associated with the seed.
Olive Mild Mosaic Virus
virus
Alphanecrovirus tessellati
Asia: South Korea; Europe: Greece, Portugal
Not known to occur
-
2025-07-23
Olive mild mosaic virus is primarily transmitted through soil by the fungal vector Olpidium brassicae. Although OMMV has been detected in infected spinach seed, seed transmission has not been demonstrated as a pathway.
Main: olive; Other: spinach
No
CABI CPC, OMMV00-1, OMMV00-2, OMMV00-3
Spinach seed is not a pathway. OMMV is transmitted through soil via the fungal vector Olpidium brassicae.
CABI CPC, OMMV00-1, OMMV00-2, OMMV00-3
Crop Protection Compendium. Wallingford, UK: CAB International. www.cabi.org/cpc.
Varanda, C. M., Santos, S., Clara, M. I. E., & Felix, M. D. R. (2015). Olive mild mosaic virus transmission by Olpidium virulentus. European Journal of Plant Pathology, 142(1), 197-201.
Gratsia, M. E., Kyriakopoulou, P. E., Voloudakis, A. E., Fasseas, C., & Tzanetakis, I. E. (2012). First report of Olive mild mosaic virus and Sowbane mosaic virus in spinach in Greece. Plant Disease, 96(8), 1230-1230.
Varanda, C. M., Silva, M. S., Félix, M. D. R. F., & Clara, M. I. E. (2011). Evidence of Olive mild mosaic virus transmission by Olpidium brassicae. European Journal of Plant Pathology, 130(2), 165-172.
Verticillium albo-atrum
fungus
Verticillium albo-atrum var. caespitosum
Verticillium albo-atrum var. tuberosum
Worldwide, primarily in cool temperate climates and in potato producing areas
Widespread, especially in northern states
China, Thailand
2025-09-15
Verticillium albo-atrum is a soilborne fungal pathogen that causes Verticillium wilt in a wide range of host plants, including vegetables, ornamentals, and woody crops. The fungus invades the plant through the roots, colonizes the vascular system, and disrupts water transport. It survives in soil for many years as microsclerotia, making management difficult. The pathogen is primarily spread through infested soil, plant debris, and infected planting material, but seed transmission has been reported (and unverified) in older reports for some crops.
Main: cauliflower. broccoli, lucerne, tomato, potato; Other: brussel sprouts, cucumber
Not a host
CABI CPC, VERTAA-20
No references found indicating that spinach seed is a pathway.
CABI CPC, VERTAA-20
Crop Protection Compendium. Wallingford, UK: CAB International. www.cabi.org/cpc.
Iglesias-Garcia, A.M., Villarroel-Zeballos, M.I., Feng, C., du Toit, L.J. and Correll, J.C. (2013). Pathogenicity, virulence, and vegetative compatibility grouping of Verticillium isolates from spinach seed. Plant Disease, 97 (11), 1457-1469.
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