fungicider

A fungicide, also called a fungicider, is a chemical compound or biological agent used to kill or inhibit fungi or their spores. Fungicides are employed to prevent or treat fungal diseases in agricultural crops, ornamentals, turf, and stored products, as well as in some consumer and industrial settings. They are distinct from antibiotics used against bacteria and from fungistats that merely suppress growth.

Fungicides differ in their mode of action and spectrum. They can be categorized by their primary site of action (for example, fungal cell membrane, cell wall, or respiration) and by their behavior on plant surfaces (contact versus systemic). Chemical classes include azoles that inhibit sterol synthesis, strobilurins that disrupt mitochondrial respiration, dithiocarbamates, copper compounds, and polymeric protectants. Biological fungicides use living organisms or their products, such as Bacillus strains or Trichoderma species, to suppress pathogens.

Applications and usage include prevention or treatment after disease onset; applied to seeds, soil, foliage, or postharvest; commonly integrated into pest management programs. Use is guided by label instructions, regulatory approvals, and local agricultural practices. Rotating modes of action, applying at recommended rates, and timing sprays to protect vulnerable growth stages help reduce the development of resistant fungi.

Limitations and safety concerns include potential toxicity to non-target organisms, environmental persistence, and the risk of resistance if misused. Proper handling, protective equipment, and adherence to restricted entry intervals are usually required.