Fungicides
Fungicides are plant-protection agents with an exceptionally wide range of application in agriculture, horticulture, the cultivation of vegetables and ornamental plants, grown both in fields and in greenhouses. Fungicidal agents fight pathogens attacking crops and also serve to prevent diseases through seed / seedling dressing and soil disinfection. By effectively preventing infections, fungicides can prevent or significantly reduce crop losses caused by plant diseases.
Fungal diseases are a significant problem in agriculture and horticulture. Infections with fungal diseases can reduce the target yield or fruit harvest from a dozen to even several dozen percent, and the mycelium left in plant residues may reduce the yield in later years. Hence, the protection of crops against fungal diseases is extremely important. It should be remembered to use fungicides containing different active substances alternately in order to prevent the pathogen from becoming resistant to a given preparation, and to use the agent in a timely manner, in accordance with the risk assessment that may result from external conditions conducive to the development of the disease.
Fungicides can be used:
- for the prevention of pathogen infections (contact fungicides),
- for intervention and the eradication of pathogens (i.e. either to stop the disease development or to prevent secondary infection) (systemic fungicides).
The best fungicides are characterised by:
- high biological activity against pathogens,
- highly selective action,
- low toxicity to non-target organisms and the environment.