CHEMICAL CONTROL OF PLANT DISEASES:

STUDY OF DIFFERENT FUNGICIDES & ANTIBIOTICS

Use of chemicals in plant diseases management is included in the principles of
protection or therapy.
 Protection
The prevention of the pathogen from entering into the host or checking the
further development in already infected plants by the application of chemicals is
called protection and the chemicals used are called protectants.
 Therapy
Therapy means cure the disease, in which fungicide is applied after the
pathogen is in contact with the host. Chemicals used are called therapeutants.
 Fungicides
The word fungicide originated from two Latin words, viz., “fungus” and
“caedo”. The word “caedo” means to kill. Thus, these are biocidal chemical
compounds used to kill fungi or fungal spores.
 Fungistat
Some chemicals which do not kill fungi, but simply inhibit the fungus growth
temporarily which is known as fungistat and the phenomenon of temporarily
inhibiting the fungal growth is termed as Fungistatics.
 Antisporulant
The chemical which inhibits spore production without affecting vegetative
growth of the fungus.
Characteristics of a good (ideal) fungicide
 Low phytotoxicity: Ideal fungicide should not be toxic to the plants.
 It should have long shelf life.
 It should be less toxic to human being and cattle etc. It should not be toxic to
earthworms and beneficial soil microorganisms.
 It should have high toxicity to a wide range of fungi
 It should not cause accumulation of toxic chemicals in soil or in plants or in plant
products.
 It should combine with important or commonly used insecticides or acaricides
without any deleterious effects.
 It should be cheap (economical) and easily available in the market and easily
transportable.
 It should be available in different formulations.
 It should easily spread on the host surface when applied.
 It should not cause environmental pollution.
CLASSIFICATION OF FUNGICIDE
1. BASED ON MODE OF ACTION
(I) Protectant: Fungicide which protects a plant from a pathogen if it is applied prior
to infection. They are prophylactic in their behaviour. Contact
fungicides which kill the pathogen present on the host surface when it
comes in contact with the host are called protectants. These are
applied to seeds, plant surfaces or soil. These are non-systemic in
action (i.e. they cannot penetrate plant tissues). e.g. Sulphur, Zineb.
(II) Therapeutant: Fungicide which eradicates a fungus after it has caused infection
thereby curing the plant is called therapeutant. Usually
chemotherapeutants are systemic and eradicates deep seated infection.
e.g. Carboxin, Oxycarboxin, Aureofungin
(III) Eradicant: A chemical substance that destroys (eradicate) pathogen after its
establishment in the host plant is known as eradicant. It eradicates the
dormant or active pathogen from the host. It also acts as protectant.
They can remain on/in the host for some time. e.g. Organomercurials,
Lime sulphur, Dodine.
2. BASED ON GENERAL USE
1 Seed protectants Organomercurials, Captan, Thiram, Carbendazim,
Carboxin
2 Soil fungicides Bordeaux Mixture, Copper Oxychloride, Vapam,
(Pre-plant) Chloropicrin, Formaldehyde
3 Soil fungicides (when Bordeaux Mixture, Copper Oxychloride, Thiram,
plants are in field) Captan
4 Foliage and blossom Bordeaux Mixture, Copper Oxychloride, Ferbam,
protectants Zineb, Mancozeb, Captan, Carbendazim,
Chlorothalonil
5 Fruit protectants Maneb Mancozeb, Captan, Carbendazim,
Thiabendazole
6 Tree wound dresser Bordeaux Paste, Chaubattia Paste
7 Antibiotics Streptomycin, Streptocycline, Griseofulvin

3. BASED ON CHEMICAL COMPOSITION

(A) Sulphur Fungicides
Sulphur is probably the oldest chemical used in plant disease management for
the control of powdery mildews. Robertson first recommended to use sulfur as
fungicide for control of powdery mildew of peach.
(I) Inorganic Sulphur: Lime Sulphur and Elemental Sulphur fungicides.
(II) Organic Sulphur: It also called as carbamate fungicides. e.g. Zineb, Thiram.
(I) Inorganic Sulphur
Common name Trade name Disease
managed
1. Lime sulphur It is manually prepared by mixing rock lime Powdery
and sulphur along with water mildews of
2. Sulphur dust Kolo dust, Mico- 999 various crops
3. Wettable sulphur Sulfex, Thiovit, Cosan

(II) Organic Sulphur Compounds

Organic sulphur compounds are derived from dithiocarbamic acid and are
widely used as spray fungicides. In 1931, Tisdale and Williams were the first to
describe the fungicidal nature of Dithiocarbamates.
Dithiocarbamates can be categorized into two groups, viz., dialkyl
dithiocarbamates and monoalkyl dithiocarbamates.
Common name Trade name Disease managed
1. Ziram Ziride Anthracnose of pulses, tomato, beans.

2. Thiram Thiram, Soil borne diseases

Thiride

3. Zineb Dithane Z-78, Chilli die-back and fruit rot, early

blight of potato
5. Mancozeb Dithane M-45, Early and late blight of potato and
Indofil M-45 tomato, rust diseases of field and fruit
crops

(B) Copper Fungicides: Copper fungicides can be classified as preparatory and

proprietary copper compounds.
PREPARATORY COPPER FUNGICIDES
Common name Chemical Diseases managed
composition
Copper Sulphate Preparation
1. Bordeaux Mixture Copper Sulphate + Downy mildew of grapes,
(PMA Millardet) Hydrated Lime + Citrus canker etc.
Water
2. Bordeaux Paste Copper Sulphate + It is a wound dressing
Hydrated Lime + fungicide and applied to the
Water pruned parts of the plant.
Citrus gummosis, Stem
bleeding of coconut
 3. Burgundy Mixture Copper Sulphate + Fungal diseases of trees and
(Mason) Sodium Carbonate + fruit plant
Water
4. Cheshunt Compound Copper Sulphate + It is used for soil drenching
(Bewley) Ammonium only. Damping-off diseases
Carbonate of solanaceous crops
Copper Carbonate Preparation
5.Chaubattia paste Copper Carbonate + Pink disease of citrus, stem
(Singh) Red Lead + Lanolin canker and collar rot of apple
Or Linseed Oil and pears

PROPRIETARY COPPER FUNGICIDES or FIXED or INSOLUBLE COPPER

FUNGICIDES
In the fixed or insoluble copper compounds, the copper ion is less soluble than
in Bordeaux mixture. So, these are less phytotoxic than Bordeaux mixture but are effective
as fungicides.
Common name Trade name Disease managed
1. Copper Blitox-50, Anthracnose of Grapevine, Tikka
Oxychloride Blue copper- 50 leaf spot of groundnut, Citrus
Canker
2. Cuprous Oxide Fungimar, -“-
Perenox
3. Copper Hydroxide Kocide Blister blight of tea, False smut of
rice, Tikka leaf spot of groundnut

(C) Mercurial Fungicides

Mercury compounds have been in use for a long time for treating seeds,
rhizomes, corms, bulbs etc. of vegetables and flowering plants for the control of seed-
borne diseases. It have fungicidal and bactericidal activity. They are highly toxic
towards animals and human beings and at times even phytotoxic. Because of their
extreme toxicity the usage on foliage is limited. Mercury fungicides are banned in
almost all countries including India because of their toxic nature and persistence to get into
the food chain.
Common name Trade name Disease
managed
I. Inorganic Mercury Seed Borne
1. Mercuric chloride Merfusan, Mersil Disease
2. Mercurous chloride Cyclosan, M-C Turf
II. Organomercurials Agallol, Aretan,
Methoxy ethyl mercury Chloride (MEMC) Emisan
(D) Heterocyclic Nitrogenous Compounds
 Captan, folpet and captafol belong to dicarboximides and are known as
phthalamide fungicides. First heterocyclic nitrogenous compounds Captan was
discovered by Kittleson.
Common name Trade name Disease managed

1.Captan Captan 50W, Captan 75 W Seed borne disease

(Kittleson’s killer)
2.Captafol Difosan, Difolaton
3. Iprodione Rovral, Glycophene Diseases caused by
Alternaria, Sclerotinia,
Helminthosporium

(E) Benzene Fungicides

Common name Trade name Disease managed

1.Chlorothalonil Bravo, Kavach Foliar Diseases

2. Dinocap Karathane Powdery mildews diseases in many
crops

(F) Organo Phosphorus Fungicides: Ediphenphos

(G) Quinone Fungicides: Chloranil, Dichlone etc.
(H) Organo Tin Compounds: Du-ter, Brestanol etc.
(I) Systemic Fungicides
These are fungi toxic compounds which when applied on different parts of the
plant are absorbed by the plant tissues and then translocated upwards, downwards and
both ways and act on the pathogen either directly or through its metabolic products
and control plant diseases away from the point of application.
The systemic fungicides (Oxathiin) was first discovered by Von Schelming
and Marshall Kulka in 1966. On the basis of chemical nature these fungicides are
classified as follows.
Common name Trade name Disease managed
Acylalanines
1. Metalaxyl Ridomil, Apron It is highly effective against
Pythium, Phytophthora and many
downy mildew fungi.
Aromatic Hydrocarbons
1. Chloroneb Demosan Seedling diseases of cotton,
peanut and peas.
Benzimidazoles Compound
1. Carbendazim Bavistin Many Foliar and Soil borne
diseases
2. Benomyl Benlate Highly effective against diseases
caused by the species of
Rhizoctonia, Theilaviopsis and
Cephalosporium
3.Thiabendazole Mertect Blue and green molds of citrus,
loose smut of wheat, Tikka leaf
spot of groundnut
Oxathins or Carboximides
1. Carboxin Vitavax Seed bone diseases
2.Oxycarboxin Plantavax Highly effective against rust
diseases.
Morpholines
1. Tridemorph Calixin Powdery mildew, Rusts
(Now Banned in India)
Organophosphates
1. Iprobenphos Kitazin Rice blast, stem rot and sheath
blight of rice
2. Ediphenphos Hinosan Rice blast, stem rot and sheath
blight of rice
Alkyl Phosphonates
1. Fosetyl-Al or Aliette Specific against Oomycetes fungi
Aluminium Tris
Thiophanates
1.Thiophanate methyl Topsin M Blast and sheath blight of rice,
sigatoka leaf spot of banana
Triazoles
1. Hexaconazole Contaf Rust, Powdery Mildew and other
2. Propiconazole Tilt foliar diseases
3. Difenconazole Score
4. Tebuconazole Folicure
5. Flusilazole Nustar, Cursor
6. Myclobutanil Systhane
Strobilurins (Isolated from wood rotting mushroom fungi, (Strobilurus tenacellus)
1. Azoxystrobin Amistar, Quadris Broad spectrum fungicide
2. Kresoxim methyl Ergon, Discus Commonly used for control of
ornamental diseases
3.Pyraclostrobin Headline Early blight
(II) Based on Chemical Composition
(A) Sulphur fungicide
 Organic Sulphur: Zineb, Mancozeb, Ziram, Thiram etc.
 Inorganic Sulphur: Elemental Sulphur, Sulphur Dust, Lime Sulphur etc.
(B) Copper fungicide
 Copper Sulphate Preparations: Bordeaux mixture, Bordeaux paste, Burgundy
mixture, Cheshunt compound, Fytolan, Copper oxychloride etc.
 Copper Carbonate Preparation: Chaubbatia paste etc.
(C) Mercury fungicide
 Inorganic Mercury: Mercuric chloride, Mercurous chloride etc.
 Organomercurials: Methoxy ethyl mercury chloride, Ethyl Mercury Chloride etc.
(D) Quinone Fungicides: Chloranil, Dichlone etc.
(E) Heterocyclic Nitrogenous Compound: Captan, Captafol etc.
(F) Organo Phosphorus Fungicides: Ediphenphos
(G) Benzene Fungicides: Chlorothalonil, Dinocap, Penta chloro nitrobenzene etc.
(H) Organo Tin Compounds: Du-ter, Brestanol etc.
(I) Systemic Fungicides
 Oxathilin and Related Compounds: Carboxin, Oxycarboxin etc.
 Benzimidazoles compound: Benomil, Thiabendazole, Carbendazim etc.
 Thiophanates: Thiophanate methyl
 Morpholines: Tridemorph
 Sterol Biosynthesis Inhibitor Fungicides: Propiconazole, Triadimefon etc.
 Acylalanines or Acylanilides: Metalaxyl, Cyprofuram etc.
 Strobilurins Fungicides: Azoxystobin, Picoxystrobin etc.
 Organic Phosphate: Fosetyl- Al, Kitazin etc.
 Miscellaneous Systemic Fungicides: Ethazole, Chloroneb etc.
(J) Antibiotics
 Antibacterial Antibiotics: Streptomycin, Tetracyclines etc.
 Antifungal Antibiotics: Aureofungin, Griseofulvin, Blasticidin, Kasugamycin etc.
(K) Fumigant: Formalin 40%, Chloropicrin, Ethylene dibromide etc.
 FUNGICIDES AND THEIR MODE OF ACTION
Group Member Mode of Action Pathogen
Systemic Fungicides
Carboximides Carboxin, Puccinia,
Oxycarboxin Mitochondrial Ustilago, Tilletia,
Dinitrophenols Dinocap Electron Powdery mildews
Strobilurins Azoxystrobin Transport All the pathogens
Picoxystrobin Inhibitors group
Kresoxim-Methyl
Phenylamides Metalaxyl Nucleic acid Oomycetes
biosynthesis Phytophthora,
inhibitors Pythium,
Benzimidazoles Carbendazim, All fungal
Benomyl, pathogens except
Mitosis and cell
Thiabendazole Oomycetes
division inhibitors
Thiophanate-
Methayl
Dicarboximides Iprodione Lipid and Botrytis, Septoria,
membrane Alternaria
Organophosphates Edifenphos, synthesis Pyricularia,
Iprobenfos inhibitors Rhizoctonia
Triazoles Hexaconazole, Sterol biosynthesis All pathogens
Propiconazole inhibitors except Oomycetes
Morphilines Tridemorph
Non-Systemic (Contact) Fungicides
Copper fungicides Copper Multisite contact Oomycetes,
inhibitors Septoria,
(Disrupt function of Fusarium
enzymes, energy
transport systems,
integrity of
membranes)
Inorganic Sulphur Elemental sulphur Multisite contact Powdery mildews
inhibitors
(Inhibit electron
movement and
interferes with
cellular respiration)
Dithiocarbamate Mancozeb, Thiram Multisite contact Leaf spots, blights
inhibitors
(Reacts with
protein)
Heterocyclic Captan Multisite contact Oomycetes,
nitrogenous inhibitors Alternaria,
compounds (Inhibits enzymes Cercospora,
and interferes with Rhizoctonia
decarboxylation
process and citrate
synthesis)
Phosphonate Fosetyl- Al Multisite contact Phythium
inhibitors Phytophthora
(Inhibits oxidative Plasmophora
phosphorylation)
Difference between Systemic fungicides and Non-systemic fungicides
Systemic fungicides Non-systemic fungicides
1 Any compound capable of being Do not get absorbed and translocated
translocated after penetrating the plant into the plant.
& reaches to the point of infection.
2 Movement of fungicide may be No movement of fungicides (contact
apoplastic (Upward movement) or in nature)
symplastic (Downward movement)
3 Single site inhibitor Multisite inhibitor
4 Long persistence Short persistence
5 More chances of development of Minimum chances of development of
fungicidal resistance fungicidal resistance
6 Used in low concentration i.e. 0.025 to Used in higher concentration i.e. 0.2
0.05% to 0.3%
7 e.g. Carbendazim, Hexaconazole etc. e.g. Thiram, Captan, Mancozeb etc.

Some Examples of Ready-Mix (Combination Fungicides)

Sr. Chemical name of Disease Managed Trade
No. fungicides name
1. Carbendazim 12% + Rust & Leaf Spot of groundnut SAAF,
Mancozeb 63% WP Sixer
2. Azoxystrobin 11% + Fruit rot, Powdery mildew, Die Custodia
Tebuconazole 18.3% back
SC
3. Carboxin 37.5% + Seed borne diseases Vitavax
Thiram 37.5 WS% Power
4. Tebuconazole 50% + Foliar Diseases Nativo
Trifloxystrobin 25%
WG
 5. Metalaxyl 8% + Downy mildew or disease caused Ridomil MZ
Mancozeb 64% WP by Oomycota fungi
Antibiotics in Plant Disease Management
 Antibiotics
Antibiotic is defined as a chemical substance produced by one micro-
organism which is low concentration can inhibit or even kill other micro-organism.
They have systemic action in plants moving in both directions. They act as eradicant
and protectants as well. Antibiotics are antibacterial and antifungal in nature. Some
examples of antibiotics have been mentioned below:
I. Antibacterial Antibiotics
1. Streptomycin
Streptomycin is an antibacterial, antibiotic produced by Streptomyces griseus.
This was the first broad spectrum antibiotics discovered by SA Waksman and A
Schatz. Streptomycin are streptomycin sulphate is sold as Agrimycin,-100,
Streptomycin sulphate, Plantomycin etc. This group of antibiotics act against a broad
range of bacterial pathogens causing blights, wilt, rots diseases.
The primary mechanism of action of streptomycin is binding irreversibly to
bacterial ribosomes and thereby inhibiting protein synthesis. At high concentrations,
streptomycin can be phytotoxic to plants; thus it is applied to the surface of plants and
not injected.
2. Tetracyclines
Antibiotics belonging to this group are produced by many species of
Streptomyces. All these antibiotics are bacteriostatic, bactericidal and
mycoplasmastatic. These are very effective against seed-borne bacteria. This group of
antibiotic is very effective in managing MLO (Phytoplasma) diseases of a wide
range of crops.
Tetracyclines inhibit protein synthesis by binding reversibly to bacterial
ribosomes. Tetracycline derivatives are the only antibiotics that are registered for
internal use in plants. They are injected into the trunks of palm and elm trees to treat
lethal yellows diseases caused by phytoplasmas.
II. Antifungal Antibiotics
1. Aureofungin
It is fungal antibiotic produced in sub-merged culture of Streptoverticillium
cinnamomeum var. terricola. It is used for control of citrus gummosis, powdery
mildew of apple, apple scab etc.
2. Griseofulvin
This antifungal antibiotic was first discovered to be produced by Penicillium
griseofulvum and now by several species of Penicillium, viz., P.patulum, P.nigricans.
It is commercially available as Griseofulvin, Fulvicin and Grisovin. It is highly toxic
to powdery mildew of beans and roses, downy mildew of cucumber.
3. Cycloheximide
It is obtained as a by-product in streptomycin manufacture. It is produced by
Streptomyces griseus and S. nouresi. It is commercially available as Actidione and
Actispray. It is active against a wide range of fungi and yeast. Its use is limited
because it is extremely phototoxic. It is also used against leaf spot, leaf blast of paddy
etc.
4. Blasticdin
It is a product of Streptomyces griseochromogenes and specifically used
against blast disease of rice. It is commercially sold as Bla-s.
5. Kasugamycin
It is obtained from Streptomyces kasugaensis. It is also very specific antibiotic
against rice blast disease. It is commercially available as Kasumin.
6. Thiolution
It is produced by Streptomyces albus and effectively used to control late blight
of potato and downy mildew of cruciferous vegetables.
7. Endomycin
It is a product of Streptomyces endus and effectively used against leaf rust of
wheat and fruit rot of strawberry (Botrytis cinerea).
8. Bulbiformin
It is produced by a bacterium, Bacillus subtills and is very effectively used
against wilt diseases, particularly red gram wilt.
9. Nystatin
It is also produced by Streptomyces noursei. It is successfully used against
anthracnose disease of banana and beans. It is commercially marketed as Mycostain
and Fungicidin.
10. Eurocidin
It is an antibiotic produced by Streptomyces anandii. It is effectively used
against diseases caused by several species of Colletotrichum and Helminthosporium.

FUNGICIDE FORMULATION
Fungicides formulation is a process by which the fungicides is put into a form
which can be easily produced, stored, transported and applied by practical methods in
order to achieve a safe, convenient, economic and effective methods of disease
control. It is a mixture of the active and inert ingredients in the fungicide. Pure
chemicals are rarely used to control pathogens. They are usually combined with other
inert materials that improve the physical and chemical properties of the product.
Commercial fungicides are formulated in various ways like as;
1. Liquid Formulation
 Emulsifiable concentrates (EC): They contain a liquid active ingredient, one or
more petroleum-based solvents and an agent that allows the product to be mixed
with water to form an emulsion. e.g. Tridemorph 80% EC, Dinocap 48% EC,
Hexaconazole 5% EC.
 Solutions: Solutions are formulations in which active ingredients readily dissolve
when mixed with a solvent such as water or a petroleum-based solvent. Solutions
can be used in any type of sprayer.
 Suspension or Slurries: These are formulations in which a dry form of the active
ingredients is mixed with liquid along with an inert ingredient to form a
suspension. These are generally used as a seed dresser in different seed processing
companies.
2. Dry Formulations
 Wettable powder: They are dry, finely ground formulations that look like dusts.
They are usually mixed with water for application as a spray. e.g. Mancozeb 75%
WP, Copper oxychloride 50% WP, Carbendazim 50% WP, Chlorothalonil 75%
WP.
 Dust: Ready to use formulations which usually contain 1-10% of active ingredient
combined with a fine, dry inert carrier made from talc, chalk, clay, or volcanic ash.
e.g. Sulphur dust.
 Granules (Pellets): Granules formulations are similar to dust formulations, except
granular particles are larger and heavier. The granules contain normally 3-10% of
the active ingredients. e.g. Carbofuran 3G, Phorate 10G.

Different Types of Pesticides Formulations

C = Concentrate L = Liquid
CS: Capsule suspension LC = Liquid concentrate
DP: Dustable Powder LV = Low volatile
DS: Powder for Dry seed Treatment P = Pellets
D = Dust PA: Paste
DC: Dispersible concentrate PS = Seed coated with Pesticides
EG: Emulsifiable Granules RTU = Ready to use
EP: Emulsifiable Powder S = Solution
ES: Emulsion for seed Treatment SC: Suspension Concentrate
WP = Wettable powder SE: Suspension Emulsion
WDG = Water-dispersible granules SL: Soluble concentrate
WSP = Water-soluble powder SP = Soluble powder
WSC = Water-soluble concentrate WSL = Water-soluble liquid
METHODS OF FUNGICIDE APPLICATION
I. Foliar Application
 Spraying
Many inorganic or organic fungicides including systemic/ non-systemic and
antibiotic are generally applied by spraying either with high volumes or with low
volumes sprayers. The different equipments used for spray application are foot-
operated sprayer, rocking sprayer, knapsack sprayer, motorized knapsack sprayer
(power sprayer), tractor mounted sprayer, mist blower and aircraft or helicopter (aerial
spray). The main objective of spraying is to provide protective covering over surface
before arrival of the pathogen.
 Dusting
In soluble or non suspended materials are used for dusting on foliage. Dust
formulations are dusted with the help of dusters like hand duster, bellows duster,
rotary hand duster etc; e.g. Sulphur duster for Powdery mildew of coriander.
II. Seed Treatment
Seed tubers, bulb and other planting materials are given chemical treatment for
eradication of pathogen present on them and for preventing in soil after planting.
Sometimes for seed borne disease, seed treatment is the only method of control. e.g.
cover Smut of barley and grain smut of bajra.
(A) Dry Seed Treatment: Dressing of seed with dry fungicide. In this method, the
fungicide adheres in a fine form on the surface of the seeds. A calculated quantity of
fungicide is applied and mixed with seed either manually with hands or using
machinery specially designed for the purpose. e.g. Captan, Thiram, Sulphur dust @ 2-
3g /kg seed. It is very effective against externally seed borne pathogen causing
disease.
(B) Wet Seed Treatment: This method involves preparing fungicide suspension in
water and dipping the seeds or seedlings or propagative materials in it for a specified
time. It is very effective against internally seed borne disease. Seed treatment is given
by various compounds e.g. Organomercurial PCNB, Streptomycin, Thiram, Captan,
carbendazin etc.
(C) Slurry Treatment (Seed Pelleting): In this method, chemical is applied in the
form of a thin paste (active material is dissolved in small quantity of water) to the
seed. The required quantity of the fungicide slurry is mixed with the specified
quantity of the seed so that during the process of treatment slurry get deposited on the
surface of seeds in the form of a thin paste which later dries up. Seed processing units
have usually slurry treaters, which mix the fungicide slurry with specified quantity of
seeds before the seed lot is bagged.
III. Soil Treatment
Soil treatment is given to reduce the amount of inoculum present in soil. This
treatment is effective for soil borne pathogens. The fungicides are applied in soil in
different forms by different methods:
(A) Soil Drenching
A suspension of chemical before sowing or after emergence of seedling is
applied with the help of sprinkler or water can in a unit area. This method is mostly
employed for the control of damping off disease, root rot or any soil borne pathogen at
ground level e.g. Bordeaux mixture (BM) for foot rot of Papaya. Carbendazim for
control of wilt in different cultivated crops.
(B) Broadcasting
In this method, fungicide is to be applied in a same way as in case of fertilizer
application. In this methods, generally granular fungicides is utilised which is
broadcasted nearer to the plant. By this method, more quantity of fungicide is required
and hence it is not commonly employed. e.g. sulphur is applied at the rate of 25kg in
Bajra and Sorghum.
(C) Furrow Method
Whenever the crop is planted in rows this method is employed. A required
quantity of chemical to be applied in opened furrow in soil and mixed. Sow the seeds
and irrigate the field. e. g. Carbofuran, Phorate

(D) Soil Fumigation

Application of certain chemicals to the soil can control fungi and nematodes.
Such material usually produce a gas that distributes itself through the soil. This
method is usually restricted to small areas and high value crops. Volatile toxicants
(fumigants) such as methyl bromide, chloropicrin, formaldehyde and vapam are the
best chemical sterilants for soil to kill fungi and nematodes as they penetrate the soil
efficiently. Fumigations are normally done in nursery areas and in glass houses.
(E) Chemigation
The fungicides are directly mixed in the irrigation water. It is normally
practiced when sprinkler or drip irrigation system is followed in a field or garden.

IV. Paste and Paint

In fruit orchard, the wound created during pruning and trimming of trees and
often served as opening for entry of the pathogen. The fungicide paste or paints are
used as protective layers. The paste is prepared with chemical like CuSO 4 + Lime,
CuSO4 + CaCO3 etc. The residual effect is long lasting enough to permit natural
healing of cut surface e.g. Control of Margo Dieback, Citrus Gummosis.
 Difference between Spraying of fungicides and Dusting of fungicides
Spraying of fungicides Dusting of fungicides
1 Formulation used in liquid form either Formulation is used in powder form
wettable powder (WP) or EC
formulation
2 Can be used in high wind velocity Not used in high wind velocity
3 More area covered Less area covered
4 Material needs preparation Materials is ready to use
5 More effective Less effective
6 Particle size biger Particle size smaller
7 Sprayer is used Duster is used
8 Water is required Water not required
9 e.g. Mancozeb, Carbendazim e.g. Sulphur dust

Auxiliary Spray Materials (ADJUVANTS)

(1) Wetting agents: They facilitate contact between spray and sprayed surface. They
reduce the surface tension of the spray liquids and improve the surface of contact and
help to spread. e.g. Alcohol, Ester of Fatty acid.
(2) Spreaders: They improve the contact between spray materials and plant surface.
They help in the good coverage of the fungicide. e.g., Soap, Saponins, Mineral Oils,
Glyceride Oil, Terpene Oil etc.
(3) Stickers: They are materials added to increase tenacity e.g. Fish Oil, Milk,
Gelatin.
(4) Deflocculating agents: Materials added to keep particles away from each other to
prevent flocculation to ensure dispersion and retard sedimentation eg. Gum, Gelatin
and Milk Products.
(5) Safeners: A chemical which reduces the phytotoxicity of another chemical is
called safener. Lime is added to copper sulphate in the preparation of Bordeaux
mixture as a safener. Glyceride oils are also used as safener.

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