Cladosporium cladosporioides
leaf spot and root rot
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
2025-10-07
fungus
Korea
Wide host range
CLADCL
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.
13 Known Hosts
Allium cepa
onion
No
CABI CPC, CLADCL-12
No references found indicating onion seed is a pathway.
2025-10-07 09:56:54
Brassica oleracea vars.
broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, brussel sprouts
No
CABI CPC
No references found indicating Brassica seed is a pathway.
2025-10-07 09:58:37
Crop Protection Compendium. Wallingford, UK: CAB International. www.cabi.org/cpc.
Capsicum annuum
pepper
No
CABI CPC, CLADCL-12
No references found indicating pepper seed is a pathway.
2025-10-07 09:59:38
Dianthus caryophyllus
carnation
No
CABI CPC, CLADCL-12
No references found indicating carnation seed is a pathway.
2025-10-07 10:00:05
Glycine max
soybean
uncertain
CLADCL-6, CLADCL-7, CABI CPC
C. cladosporioides has been isolated from soybean seed samples in laboratory surveys in Pakistan and India (CLADCL-6, CLADCL-7). However, there is no evidence of natural seed transmission or infection developing from seed in the field. The fungus is primarily a post-harvest contaminant, commonly colonizing dead tissue or damaged pods, and may persist on field debris between seasons (CLADCL-1, CLADCL-7). Because recovery from seed does not confirm transmission, and field evidence is lacking, the seed pathway remains uncertain.
Yes
Blotter or agar incubation
These tests were used for research purposes and have not been standardized or validated.
CLADCL-6, CLADCL-7
2025-10-07 10:03:53
Nasir N, 2003. Effect of fungicides in limiting the growth of seed borne fungi of soybean. Pakistan Journal of Plant Pathology, 2:119-122.
Mathur DS, Ashok G, Omkar S and Singh CP. 2008. Seed quality enhancement in soybean by Spiral separators. Seed Research, 36:115-119.
Crop Protection Compendium. Wallingford, UK: CAB International. www.cabi.org/cpc.
Helianthus annuus
sunflower
No
CLADCL-4, CABI CPC, CLADCL-15, CLADCL-20
Cladosporium cladosporioides has been detected on sunflower seed coats in laboratory tests. However, there is no evidence that it naturally infects sunflower seeds or is transmitted through them in the field. The fungus is primarily a post-harvest saprophyte that survives on crop debris, and its occurrence on seeds likely reflects incidental contamination rather than a true seed-borne pathway. Field or production practices that leave residues in contact with harvested seeds may favor its survival, but it does not appear to contribute to disease in growing sunflower plants.
Yes
Freezing blotter
This test was used for research purposes and has not been standardized or validated.
CLADCL-4
2025-10-07 10:08:14
Sharfun-Nahar, Muhammad M and Hashmi MH, 2005. Seed-borne mycoflora of sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.). Pakistan Journal of Botany, 37:451-457.
Crop Protection Compendium. Wallingford, UK: CAB International. www.cabi.org/cpc.
Sharfun-Nahar, Muhammad Mushtaq, Hashmi MH, 2005. Seed-borne mycoflora of sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.). Pakistan Journal of Botany, 37(2):451-457.
Addrah, M. E., Zhang, Y., Zhang, J., Liu, L., Zhou, H., Chen, W., & Zhao, J. (2020). Fungicide Treatments to Control Seed-borne Fungi of Sunflower Seeds. Pathogens, 9(1), 29.
Lolium perenne
perennial ryegrass
No
CLADCL-3
Cladosporium cladosporioides has been detected on perennial ryegrass seeds in laboratory surveys, but there is no evidence that it is transmitted through seed under natural conditions. The fungus is primarily a post-harvest saprophyte that survives on crop residues and field debris, and its presence on seeds likely reflects incidental contamination rather than a true seed-borne pathway. Reports from commercially grown seed do not indicate that seeds serve as a pathway for this fungus.
Yes
Blotter incubation
This test was used for research purposes and has not been standardized or validated.
CLADCL-3
2025-10-07 10:12:37
Zhang Y, Han JG, Bolkan H and Shi QH, 2006. The mycoflora of perennial ryegrass seed and their effects on the germination and seedling vigour. Seed Science and Technology, 34:429-441.
Oryza sativa
rice
No
CLADCL-9, CABI CPC, CLADCL-12
Cladosporium cladosporioides has been isolated from farmer-saved rice seeds in Bangladesh, but there is no evidence of natural seed transmission or impact on rice plants. The fungus is primarily a post-harvest saprophyte that survives on field debris rather than infecting live plants. Its presence on seeds likely reflects incidental contamination rather than a true seed-borne pathway.
Yes
Blotter Incubation
This test was used for research purposes and has not been standardized or validated.
CLADCL-9
2025-10-07 10:13:41
Haque SMA, Begum JA, Islam MF, Islam MS and Mia MAT. 2003. Influence of farmers' seed processing activities on seed borne fungi of T.Aman rice. Bangladesh Journal of Plant Pathology, 19:59-62.
Crop Protection Compendium. Wallingford, UK: CAB International. www.cabi.org/cpc.
Zhang, Z., Ed. 2003. Flora Fungorum Sinicorum. Vol. 14. Cladosporium, Fusicladium, Pyricularia. Science Press, Beijing : 297.
Pisum sativum
pea
uncertain
CLADCL-5, CLADCL-8, CABI CPC, CLADCL-13, CLADCL-17, CLADCL-18, CLADCL-19
Cladosporium cladosporioides has been detected on pea seeds in multiple countries. The fungus was occasionally isolated from damaged shoots and infected roots in young seedlings under incubation tests, but its role in causing disease is unclear due to the presence of other fungi, such as Ascochyta pinodes. There is no evidence of natural seed transmission or field impact of C. cladosporioides in peas. The fungus is an asexual, widespread saprophyte that occurs on many outdoor and indoor surfaces and is commonly associated with secondary infections of dying plant tissue. Because of the limited and inconclusive evidence regarding seed transmission, the seed pathway for C. cladosporioides in pea is considered uncertain.
Yes
Blotter and agar incubation
These tests were used for research purposes and have not been standardized or validated.
CLADCL-5, CLADCL-8
Treatment was used to reduce fungal contamination and was not specific to the pathogen.
CLADCL-8
2025-10-07 10:17:45
Shalini V and Dohroo NP. 2004. Seed mycoflora of Pisum sativum in Himachal Pradesh. Plant Disease Research (Ludhiana), 19:189.
Gorfu D and Sangchote S 2005. Fungi associated with field pea seeds from Ethiopia and seed transmission of Ascochyta pinodes. Seed Science and Technology, 33:387-396.
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.
Ragukula K, Makandar R. 2023. Cladosporium cladosporioides causes leaf blight on garden pea in Telangana, India. Plant Disease 107:2239
Marcinkowska, J., 2008. Fungi occurrence on seeds of field pea. Acta Mycologica, 43(1), pp.77-89.
Bensch, K., Braun, U., Groenewald, J.Z., and Crous, P.W. 2012. The genus Cladosporium. Stud. Mycol. 72: 1-401.
Solanum lycopersicum
tomato
No
CABI CPC, CLADCL-11
No references found indicating tomato seed is a pathway.
2025-10-07 10:19:03
Crop Protection Compendium. Wallingford, UK: CAB International. www.cabi.org/cpc.
Ma, M., De Silva, D.D., and Taylor, P.W.J. 2020. Black mould of post-harvest tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) caused by Cladosporium cladosporioides in Australia. Australasian Plant Disease Notes 15: 25.
Spinacia oleracea
spinach
No
CABI CPC, CLADCL-13, CLADCL-14
No references found indicating spinach seed is a pathway.
2025-10-07 10:19:36
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.
Triticum aestivum
wheat
No
CABI CPC, CLADCL-10
No references found indicating wheat seed is a pathway.
2025-10-07 10:20:12
Zea mays
corn
No
CABI CPC, CLADCL-12, CLADCL-16
No references found indicating corn seed is a pathway.
2025-10-07 10:20:44
Crop Protection Compendium. Wallingford, UK: CAB International. www.cabi.org/cpc.
Zhang, Z., Ed. 2003. Flora Fungorum Sinicorum. Vol. 14. Cladosporium, Fusicladium, Pyricularia. Science Press, Beijing : 297.
Munkvold, G. P., & White, D. G. (2016). Back Matter. In Compendium of Corn Diseases, Fourth Edition (pp. 147-165). The American Phytopathological Society.
Search the database