Fungicide

There are a variety of elements that may make it difficult to keep your turf and plant life lush and green. However, perhaps the biggest threat is disease and fungi. As a result, it has become increasingly important to combat fungal diseases with the help of fungicides.

On this page, you will learn about fungicides, how they work, their benefits, and what to expect when applying them. Here you can also shop the top Fungicide products we have in stock.

What is a Fungicide?

Fungicides are chemical compounds used to control diseases caused by fungi by halting the growth of the fungus or killing the pathogen.

There can be a variety of active ingredients contained in a fungicide, which can assist in achieving fungi control. The different ingredients will work for specific plants and certain diseases.

Fungicides can also come in different formulations such as liquid concentrates, granules, and organic materials.

Common kinds of fungal outbreaks include rots, spots, rusts, mold, and mildew, among other kinds of fungi.

Some of the more popular fungicide ingredients include propiconazole, azoxystrobin, copper, chlorothalonil, Mancozeb, and others.

How Do Fungicides Work?

Fungicides can either function by attacking the cell membrane of the fungus, or via inhibiting an important process of the fungi that is vital to its survival. 

Fungicides can be classified as contact or systemic. Contact fungicides stick to treated plant surfaces. Systemic fungicides are absorbed by treated plants.

Benefits of Fungicides

Fungicides are essential to protecting plants from harmful diseases and fungi. Contact fungicides create a protective film over the plants you want to prevent from getting infected so no fungal pathogens can penetrate the plant.

Unlike contact fungicides, systemic fungicides have the added benefit of penetrating further by being absorbed into the plant tissue. It will then travel throughout the plant's entire system down to the root to protect it against fungal diseases and suppress the spread of fungi, eventually curing the diseased plant.

Fungicides often work quickly and can protect treated plants from 7 to 28 days.

Drawbacks of Fungicides

Fungicides work best as a preventative before your plant is infected or shows any symptoms of infection. Fungicides depend on timing and are less likely to remove a plant that has been deeply infected and the infection is in its late stages.

On occasion, plants can develop a tolerance or resistance to certain fungicides. In such a case It's recommended to incorporate different modes of action by mixing different fungicides or by rotating products in order to achieve the best possible results.

Are Fungicides Safe?

Fungicides are safe to use when applied according to label directions. Always make sure to wear proper safety equipment when handling and mixing Fungicide with pesticides. This includes eye protection, proper attire to protect skin and in some cases, masks for respiratory protection.

Don’t apply fungicides in drought or in conditions that might prevent plant growth. Windy days can be dangerous for application, as the chemicals can drift to desirable plants and in living areas where pets and children might be. Keep kids and pets away from treated areas for a few days to ensure safety.

What To Expect

Whether you are using a preventative fungicide or a curative fungicide, it is important that you time your applications wisely. Ideally, this should be before you notice disease symptoms or before conditions become favorable for fungal disease. Timing of the fungicide application at the optimum times can enhance the effectiveness of the product and prevent the need for additional fungicide spray applications

When applying fungicides, pay attention to the interval listed on the label for your specific plant that you are treating and follow it carefully. Fungicides can deliver between 7 to 28 days of protection but that depends on several factors like timing, environmental conditions, the severity of an infection, etc.

Before planting, make sure that soil, water, and light conditions are ideal for your plant. Once the plants have been established, make sure to use the appropriate sanitation, fertilization, and pruning practices to enhance plant health.

Featured Products

Patch Pro - Patch Pro Fungicide is a systemic fungicide that contains the active ingredient Propiconazole and is designed to get rid of a broad spectrum of harmful and unsightly diseases on plants and lawns. Patch Pro controls many fungi and diseases such as brown patch, powdery mildew, and blight.