The term "fungicide" is often referred to in plant care literature. Let's clarify what fungicides are, how they differ from each other, and how to approach their choice in a garden or garden plot.
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Fungicides are drugs that are aimed at combating fungal diseases: rust, rot, leaf blight, powdery mildew. To solve each of these problems, there are narrowly targeted antifungal agents, but there are general rules for selecting a medicine for plants.
Chemical and biological fungicides
Depending on the composition of the active substance, antifungal substances are divided into chemical (organic and inorganic) and biological. The former are chemical compounds, the latter are living organisms (bacteria aimed at destroying harmful fungi).
Recently, the popularity of biological drugs has been growing, while chemicals are losing ground. This is due to the concern for a more humane impact on the environment, in which "live" fungicides have an advantage. But if a therapeutic, rather than a preventive, effect is needed, proven chemical defenders come to the rescue: infected plants are more susceptible to the influence of chemicals.
Inorganic compounds (copper and sulfur-containing) adhere better to the treated surface and are suitable for the treatment of certain specific diseases. However, the use of such substances can be fraught with difficulties. Preparation of a working solution is laborious, inorganic preparations are poorly combined with each other, and pose a potential threat to plants in case of improper use (burns, disturbances in photosynthesis, damage to leaves and fruits) or for other living organisms (bees during pollination).
Organic compounds are less stable, but easily combine with other components of the mixture, have more selective effect, do not accumulate in water and soil (if there are no heavy metals).
Biological analogues can be used for both treatment and prevention, but the greatest effectiveness is shown in preventing the problem, increasing the immunity of the plant with the help of useful flora.
Systemic and contact drugs
Contact fungicides are distributed over the outer shell of the plant and serve as a protective barrier against fungal pests. Such compounds are more often used as prophylactic ones: their surface effect is not able to destroy the pathogenic pathogen that has penetrated inside. Contact substances do not cause addiction, but their area of action is limited by the boundary of application, the compounds are easy washed off by watering or precipitation, destroyed by the sun's rays, require repeated application in a suitable the weather.
Systemic drugs, regardless of the place of application, have the ability to penetrate deep into plant tissues. This provides not only a preventive, but also a curative effect: an effect on the pathogenic flora that has penetrated inside. Such substances are more resistant to negative weather factors: within a few hours after application, systemic fungicides are minimally vulnerable to rain, high humidity, and direct sunlight. The weak point of this method of protection is the emerging resistance of the fungi. To prevent its development, it is better to alternate systemic and contact means, trying to use drugs from different chemical groups.
There are different options for antifungal treatment:
- disinfection of seeds and roots before planting;
- spraying plants with a medicinal solution;
- soil cleaning when watering with a solution or applying a powder fungicide.
Regardless of the drug and the chosen treatment method, you must adhere to the instructions on the package and use protective equipment (gloves, gauze bandage or respirator).
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