difenoconazole

Difenoconazole is a synthetic systemic fungicide in the triazole class used in agriculture to control a wide range of fungal diseases in cereals, fruits, vegetables, and ornamental plants. It is applied as foliar sprays, seed treatments, or soil or seed dressings depending on crop and label, and is absorbed by roots and leaves with translocation within the plant.

Mechanism and use: Difenoconazole inhibits the fungal enzyme lanosterol 14α-demethylase (CYP51), a key step in ergosterol biosynthesis. This disruption of fungal membrane synthesis provides preventive and some curative protection against susceptible pathogens. It typically offers residual protection for several days to weeks, depending on crop, formulation, and environmental conditions. The fungicide has broad activity against many Ascomycetes and some Basidiomycetes, including diseases such as leaf spots, mildews, rusts, and fruit rots. It is commonly used as part of integrated pest management, with rotation to reduce the risk of resistance.

Formulations and safety: Difenoconazole is marketed in a variety of formulations, including emulsifiable concentrates and suspension concentrates, as well as other practical forms for seed or soil applications. It generally has low acute toxicity to humans, but standard pesticide safety practices apply, and exposure should be minimized according to product labels. Environmental considerations include potential toxicity to aquatic organisms, so application methods should minimize drift and runoff.

Regulatory status: The compound is widely registered in many jurisdictions with crop- and country-specific labels detailing usage rates, preharvest intervals, and allowed crops. Regulatory oversight emphasizes resistance management, including rotation with fungicides of different modes of action and adherence to maximum residue limits in food products.