All You Need to Know About Fungicides

Fungicides, also known as antimycotic, are used to kill fungi or inhibit their growth. Fungicides can suppress the growth of fungi or fungal spores which helps protect fruits, vegetables, and tubers during storage. They also help control the parasitic fungi that can damage crops or ornamental plants. These fungi are harmful to plants and can also endanger the health of human beings and domestic animals. Fungicides are applied to prevent the growth of molds on food crops. Some of the important fungicides are pentachlorophenol, folpet, captan, dithiocarbonates, and mercurial. Some fungicides are not hazardous since their exposure is very low.

Classification of Fungicides

Fungicides can be classified based on the mode of origin, application, and chemical structure. They have two major groups of origin i.e., biological and chemical. The bio-best fungicide for plants as they consist of active ingredients. These are living microorganisms like bacteria and fungi which are effective against the pathogens that cause turf disease.

How are Fungicides Used?

The two types of fungicides, agricultural and horticultural, can be applied as sprays or dust. A seed fungicide is a type of chemical that is applied as a protective covering on the seed before its germination. Another type of fungicide is systemic fungicide also called chemotherapeutant is applied to plants. They are distributed all over the plant tissue to eradicate existing diseases and provide protection against any threat of disease. 

How do Fungicides Work?

Fungicides are used to kill parasitic or pathogenic fungi. They do so by disrupting the critical cellular processes of fungi. Many fungicides bind with some enzymes and interrupt the metabolic pathways associated with their cellular respiration. Just like insecticides, herbicides, and antibiotics, the overuse of fungicides by farmers has led to the evolution of resistance in some species of fungi. Due to this resistance, they display decreased sensitivity to fungicides. Some of the most commonly used fungicides are copper oxychloride, carbendazim, Mancozeb, cymoxanil, azoxystrobin, etc.

Farmers are recommended to buy fungicides from reputed sellers, both online and offline. This ensures that the growth and quality of their crops are not affected in any manner.