Inorganic fungicides

Inorganic fungicides are an important weapon in the battle against plant diseases, maintaining the health of gardens and crops. Inorganic fungicides are manufactured from synthetic or mineral compounds, in contrast to organic fungicides, which come from natural sources. These chemicals are made to specifically target and eliminate fungi that can lead to a variety of issues, such as rust, mildew, blight, and mold.

Because of these chemicals’ efficiency and durability, they are frequently chosen. By interfering with the life cycle of dangerous fungi, they stop them from proliferating and causing harm. Fungicides based on sulfur and copper are common examples; they have been used for many years to control a variety of fungal infections.

Even though inorganic fungicides are highly effective, it’s crucial to use them properly. Overuse or incorrect application can cause problems like fungal resistance, which makes them less amenable to treatment. It’s essential to know when and how to use these products to preserve their efficacy and safeguard your plants.

Type of Inorganic Fungicide Common Uses
Copper-based fungicides Used to treat plant diseases like mildew and blight
Sulfur-based fungicides Effective for controlling powdery mildew and rust
Bordeaux mixture Commonly applied to fruit trees and vines
Lime sulfur Used to prevent fungal infections on plants

Inorganic fungicides are essential for preventing plant diseases and preserving crop health. These chemical treatments are generally more effective against a wide variety of fungal pathogens than their organic counterparts. They function by upsetting the fungal life cycle, which stops the fungi from growing and spreading. Plant, human, and environmental safety can all be balanced while managing diseases effectively with the help of an understanding of these fungicides’ mechanisms and proper application.

Copper-containing preparations

All copper-based preparations are contact fungicides of protective action. Advantages High efficiency against plant diseases. Good retention on plants. Copper-containing fungicides, unlike fungicides of other classes, control not only fungal but also bacterial infections. They affect a large number of pathogenic fungi, in addition, they have a high bactericidal effect against bark diseases (black bacteriosis, bacterial burn, moniliosis, scab, green algae and lichens). Disadvantages Copper-containing preparations, despite a number of positive properties, have many significant disadvantages. They can cause burns to young plants, especially in hot and humid weather; negatively affect the germination of pollen and the setting of berries. They are somewhat toxic to plants, which may experience "copper shock". Features – Copper-containing compounds are used preventively, to prevent plant diseases. They are used in advance, before mass infection. – Thorough and uniform coverage of the entire plant is of great importance. – The duration of the protective action of copper-containing preparations depends on the formulation, meteorological conditions (precipitation) and the growth rate of the plant. Usually, the period of protective action is 12-14 days. Application Copper compounds actively suppress the development of false powdery mildew, spotting, late blight and macrosporiosis of potatoes, rust, moniliosis, scab of pome fruits, coccomycosis and clusterosporosis of stone fruit crops, and also inhibit the development of a number of bacterioses and true powdery mildew. Phytotoxicity Phytotoxicity is especially evident in years with high air humidity and a long rainy period, as well as during the period of active plant growth. In addition, long-term use of copper-containing fungicides and their accumulation in the soil has a negative effect on trees, causing severe leaf and ovary shedding in early summer. Due to the fact that phytotoxicity is more pronounced during the period of active plant growth, it is recommended to alternate treatments with copper-containing preparations with organic treatments. Before and during flowering of plants, organic preparations should be used that are safe for flowers and stimulate the growth of shoots and leaves. Before fruit ripening, copper oxychloride is used (Hom, OxyHom, Proton). It is less phytotoxic than Bordeaux mixture, but is less retained on plants. 1. Bordeaux mixture (copper sulfate + calcium hydroxide, or popularly – copper sulfate + slaked lime). Bordeaux mixture is one of the universal fungicides with the longest period of protective action (up to 30 days). It has a very wide range of effects and is designed to protect fruit, vegetable, berry, melon, citrus, ornamental, flower and other crops from a range of diseases. In almost all cases, it has a stimulating effect on plants. The effectiveness of the drug depends on the duration of its use. The best results are obtained from preventive treatments, t.e. shortly before infection. Bordeaux mixture ranks first among fungicides in terms of retention on leaves. In addition, it has repellent properties for many insects. However, due to the high consumption of copper sulfate, the difficulty of preparation, as well as the possibility of damaging plants, this fungicide is often replaced by copper oxychloride (HOM) and organic preparations. Compatible with most pesticides. It is well compatible with systemic fungicides: metalaxyl, oxadixyl, cymoxanil, alyet, etc., except for preparations containing thiram. 2 hazard class for humans. 2. Copper sulfate (copper sulfate, "blue stone"). In the form of a solution, copper sulfate is used as a disinfectant. Application Copper sulfate is used to disinfect the root system of seedlings with signs of cancer, as well as wounds and tree hollows. For these purposes, a solution is prepared at the rate of 100 g of copper sulfate per 10 liters of water. Copper sulfate should be dissolved in warm water and necessarily in plastic, but not metal containers.
Used to disinfect the soil outside the growing season of plants (early spring or late autumn). Treating the soil with copper sulfate is effective before planting onions and garlic, since.. it helps to rid the plants of fusarium infection. Attention! Copper sulfate is not used during the growing season plant – it can get burned. The vegetative plants use the "Bordeaux mixture", "Hom", "Abiga-Peak". For spraying trees and bushes, copper sulfate is used only as a component of Bordeaux mixture. 3. HOM (copper oxychloride). It is used as a substitute for Bordeaux mixture, but compared to it, it is less resistant to washing off by rain. The advantage compared to Bordeaux mixture is the ease of preparation of the working solution, which is prepared by simply mixing with water. Good compatibility with most other chemicals. 3 hazard class (moderately hazardous); Abiga-Peak (copper oxychloride in the form of an aqueous suspension, prepared by simple dilution with water). 3 hazard class; OxyHom, and its analogue Proton (copper oxychloride + systemic fungicide oxadixyl). Combined contact-systemic, therapeutic and protective action, high efficiency. Well suited for protecting potatoes and tomatoes from late blight and macrosporiosis, cucumbers – from downy mildew (false powdery mildew). Must not be mixed with other preparations. Hazard class 1 (hazardous substance). Ordan (copper oxychloride + cymoxanil). Combined preparation of contact and local-systemic action. Hazard class 3. Note. In wet weather, as well as in plants sensitive to copper-containing preparations, preparations based on copper oxychloride often cause a net on fruits and leaf burns. Therefore, preparations based on it should be used differentially, depending on the plant and climate zone: it gives a good effect in areas with dry summers, and to the north, in areas of sufficient moisture, it is recommended to use organic fungicides. When using copper oxychloride in a mixture with organic fungicides from the dithiocarbamate group (Ordan, Rapid-Gold Plus), the risk of crop damage is reduced. In such a combination, organic compounds are more toxic to pathogens and have a longer duration of action. 4. Burgundy liquid (a mixture of copper sulfate/copper sulfate and soda solutions). Used as a replacement for Bordeaux mixture, but less stable. Advantages compared to Bordeaux mixture – no film forms on the leaves that impairs photosynthesis.

Sulfur-containing preparations

Colloidal sulfur preparations, Thiovit Jet Sulfur-containing preparations are contact fungicides with a protective and healing effect. Sulfur-based preparations have been used as fungicides and acaricides for a thousand years, but the mechanism of their effect on pathogens has not yet been precisely clarified. Application The main object of sulfur action is the pathogens of true powdery mildew, as well as scab, rust. In addition, it suppresses the development of mites. The period of protective action is 10-14 days. The effectiveness of sulfur largely depends on the air temperature. The optimal temperature for treatment with sulfur preparations is +24 +32 °С. At temperatures below +20 °C, the drugs are ineffective, and at 35 °C and above they damage plants and cause burns. Disadvantages Despite many advantages of sulfur preparations, they have a number of disadvantages. For example, they cause damage and a decrease in the yield of cucumbers in protected soil, impair photosynthesis, and at high concentrations make plant leaves rough and brittle. Black currants, gooseberries, raspberries, and pumpkin crops are especially sensitive to sulfur preparations – they may have brittle and coarse leaves, their fall, burns. Due to the risk of plant burns, it is not recommended to use sulfur in drought conditions and in a mixture with oil preparations. Toxicity Sulfur preparations are low-hazard substances for humans (hazard class 3), but can cause irritation of the mucous membranes of the respiratory tract, eyes and skin in the form of dust. They are also low-hazard for beneficial organisms and do not pollute the environment.

Other fungicides

1. Ferrous sulfate (iron sulfate). Note: do not confuse with copper sulfate! Contact fungicide. Application The main area of ​​use is to combat mosses and lichens on fruit trees. Also, in the absence of other preparations, it can be used against diseases of the trunk and branches, cancer and chlorosis of apple trees, and against the wintering phases of various pests. Ferrous sulfate is completely unsuitable for treating green plants due to its strong burning properties. Therefore, it is used only in early spring, before bud break, or late in the fall, after the leaves have fallen. Usually, ferrous sulfate is used as an aqueous solution for spraying or as part of whitewash for trees and shrubs. Treatment should be carried out either in early spring, before bud break, or in the fall, after the leaves have fallen. It should be noted that spring use of ferrous sulfate can inhibit bud development. The period of protective action is 14 days. Features – Cannot be mixed with other drugs. – Cannot be diluted with slaked lime (unlike copper sulfate). – Treat trees and shrubs only on the bark and bare branches, because.. the preparation causes burns on the leaves. – Ferrous sulfate delays budding (by about a week), so treatment with a 3-4% solution before the start of the growing season helps to survive the period of spring frosts. 2. Potassium permanganate (manganese). Microfertilizer. Antiseptic with fungicidal and bactericidal action. Application A weak solution of potassium permanganate is used against black leg, fusarium, bacteriosis in seedlings and vegetable and flower crops; for pre-planting treatment of seeds, bulbs, corms, rhizomes of garden plants for 2 hours; for disinfection of equipment and tools; for soil disinfection. Disadvantages The biggest disadvantage of potassium permanganate is its ability to acidify the soil. The increased acidity of the soil inhibits the viability of beneficial microorganisms. In addition, soils with increased acidity are contraindicated for delicate plant shoots and young seedlings – they can die on such soils. Contributes to excess potassium and manganese in the soil, which also has a negative effect on plants. In fact, potassium permanganate is more of a microelement necessary for plants to grow and develop. However, not all soils require potassium permanganate fertilization: if on chernozem and sod-carbonate soils it stimulates plant growth, then on sod-podzolic soils, which are rich in manganese in themselves, its excess has a detrimental effect on plants. 3. Hydrogen peroxide. Antiseptic and disinfectant. Hydrogen peroxide has a universal antimicrobial effect. Gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria, viruses, and many types of pathogenic fungi are sensitive to it. Causes death the dispute of most sporeogenic bacteria. Has antifungal, antiviral and antibacterial action. Application It is used for disinfection of soil (50 ml of peroxide per 0.5 l of settled tap water); for combating fungal infections in the soil with seedlings (drip peroxide solution onto mold); for disinfection of seeds (soak seeds in a 3% peroxide solution for 5-10 minutes); for dressing bulbs and tubers (dip bulbs in peroxide solution before planting or storing); for disinfection of pots and containers for seedlings, tools. Advantages Does not acidify the soil, unlike potassium permanganate. When interacting with organic substances, it decomposes into water and active oxygen, leaving no chemical traces and not polluting the environment. If the recommended dose is exceeded, it does not have a toxic effect. Has a stimulating effect on seeds, destroying germination inhibitors. Flaws It quickly decomposes in the light, when interacting with metals, organic substances, and alkalis. Therefore, the antimicrobial activity of hydrogen peroxide quickly decreases in organic substrates. In addition, a decrease in the sensitivity of microbes to hydrogen peroxide and the emergence of bacterial variants resistant to this drug have been recently noted. 4. Some fungicidal action is also possessed by: Green potassium soap. A preventive agent against pests and diseases. Enhances the effect of pesticides, acts as an effective "adhesive", increasing the stability of drugs on the plant. Has optimal compatibility with unstable pesticides. Used as an additive to working solutions of fungicides and insecticides, as well as an independent agent. Completely safe for humans and insects. Green paint. Antiseptic. The antiseptic qualities of brilliant green are due to the copper compounds present in the composition. Used to heal plant wounds, preventing them from losing moisture and rotting. When pruning trees and shrubs, the cuts are covered with brilliant green (instead of garden pitch); wounds and other damage on tubers and bulbs of flower crops are cauterized. Currants – cuts are treated with brilliant green

An essential function of inorganic fungicides is to shield plants from dangerous fungi. In gardening and agriculture, they are frequently used to treat or prevent fungal infections that can harm plants and crops.

These fungicides work well to control a variety of fungal diseases because they are composed of minerals and metals. Although they are helpful, it’s crucial to use them in accordance with the correct procedures to prevent misuse and potential environmental damage.

Farmers and gardeners can contribute to the maintenance of plant health and improved yields by learning how inorganic fungicides operate and applying them sensibly.

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Anna Petrova

Child psychologist with 10 years of experience. I work with children and parents, helping to understand the intricacies of upbringing, psycho-emotional development and the formation of healthy relationships in the family. I strive to share useful tips so that every child feels happy and loved.

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