Introduction
Fungicides are chemicals which are used to prevent plants and trees from being attacked by fungal infections. A fungus attack ruins a tree or a plant and this causes economic losses to people who farm fruits or flowers. Fungi also destroy the aesthetic appearance of plants and thus fungicides are often used by amateur gardeners too. Myclobuntanil fungicide is a popular fungicide and is often commonly used to treat a number of fungal infections like leaf spots, rust etc. Let us learn a bit more about myclobutanil.
History
There are two types of fungicides – systemic and non systemic. Systemic fungicides are absorbed into the tissues of the plants while non systemic fungicides are not absorbed by the plants – they are applied externally. Some fungicides are locally systemic (they are absorbed only around the area of their application) while others are absorbed from the roots and into the sap. Some fungi are stubborn and develop resistance to certain systemic fungicides. Basically, a fungus is a parasite which grows on a host (plants or trees in this case). The fungus derives all its nutrients from the host and this can kill the host if the infection is not treated on time. Fungi grow in a network – they rise above the surface of the host and look much like mushrooms. The round sac forms the head and when this sack burst – it spreads spores which act as seeds for more fungi. Myclobutanil kills the fungi by preventing the synthesis of ergosterol. Ergosterol is a vital component of the cell membranes of fungi. It is not found in the cells of plants or animal – it is exclusive to fungi and yeast only. Essentially, ergosterol is to fungi what cholesterol is to mammals.
Features
The challenge faced by most fungicides is that the chemical must attack only the fungus and should not cause harm to the plant itself. Since ergosterol is absent in plant and animal cells, it is a preferred target for a large number of fungicides including myclobutanil. The absence of ergosterol in plants ensures that they are not harmed by myclobutanil.
Myclobutanil destroys the cell membranes of fungus and thus all the inner components of the cell (like protoplasm etc.) drain out and this ultimately kills the cell. Myclobutanil is an organic antifungal agent and it is used in the treatment of fungal infections like rust, apple scab, pear scab, powdery mildew and for black spot. It is also effective in the treatment of leaf spots and anthracnose. Let us take a look at some of the specific uses of myclobutanil.
Tips and comments
Apple trees: Myclobutanil is boon for apple tree plantations. Apple trees mostly fall prey to powdery mildew, scab and rust. Myclobutanil is effective in combating all three fungal infections. It saves apple farmers from incurring huge financial loss. Myclobutanil should be combined with captan for treating apple scab – this seems to bear the best results.
Peach trees: Myclobutanil protects peach trees from powdery mildew and blossom blights.
Grapes: Grapes are highly susceptible to black rot. Myclobutanil is one of the most efficient ways to combating and preventing black rot.
Myclobutanil forms an integral part of a number of commercial antifungal agents like fertilome, Nova etc.
