Mar 7, 2011

Glossary

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Fungicide

A substance that kills fungi or fungal spores or inhibits their development

Fungicides are used in agriculture to combat fungal infestation in crop plants. They are also used in medicine, food technology and building protection.

Fungicides are divided into leaf fungicides, which are applied to the plant parts above ground, and soil fungicides and seed treatments that are used to prevent fungal infestation.

Fungicides used in agriculture include both inorganic fungicides (e.g. sulphur or copper sulphate solutions), some of which can also be used in organic farming, and organic fungicides.

Where a particular chemical or biological pesticide agent is used on a large scale over several years, it is bound to lead to selection of the most resistant individuals. These are the individuals that are better able to reproduce under the conditions associated with the plant protection product than other individuals of the same species. The same applies to most fungicides, and if they are used persistently, fungi will develop resistance to them. This resistance will be effective even against other fungicides that make use of the same mechanism.

Fungicides are a type of plant protection product and in many countries are allowed onto the market only once they have been through an approval process and have been assessed as harmless to humans, animals and nature.