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The purpose of this study was to characterize fungal species causing leaf spot of spinach (Spinacia oleracea L.) and anthracnose of chilli (Capsicum annuum L.). Fungi induced diseases are one of the biotic factors causing a decline in yields and overall quality of spinach and chilli. Both spinach and chilli are widely consumed crops worldwide, with India ranking among the top nine countries in terms of spinach production and the world's largest producer, consumer and exporter of chillies. In this work, infected spinach leaves and chilli fruit samples were collected from markets in Ajmer (Rajasthan); morphological features characterization was performed. Results showed six different genera of fungal pathogens isolated from spinach and chilli, viz. Phoma, Cladosporium, Stemphylium, Cercospora, Alternaria from spinach leaves and Colletotrichum from chilli, belonging to seven fungal species. Using the most recent identification keys and micro-morphological and macro-morphological criteria, the isolated fungi were identified down to the genus and species level. Numerous fungal species have been linked to spinach leaf spot and chilli anthracnose, according to the study, and can cause a range of disease symptoms.

Keywords: Leaf spot, Spinacia oleracea L., Capsicum annuum L., Anthracnose, Fungal pathogens.