Demystifying Fungicides | Jung Seed’s Gardening Blog

I can tell you, there is no “easy button” when it comes to fighting plant diseases in the garden. Plant diseases are caused by pathogens that are variable, complex and for the most part, they are everywhere. What can we do to help our plants fight these pathogens? One critical way to help our plants is with the use of fungicides.

Understanding Fungicides

Fungicides are a type of pesticide that can be extremely beneficial in the management of plant diseases; however, we must understand that fungicides are as variable, complex, and numerous as the pathogens we wish to control with them. Keep reading for all of the What? How? and When? of proper fungicide use in the garden.

The most important thing to understand about fungicides is that most are preventative, not curative. In our adult lives, we have heard the phrase; “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” This phrase is most often used when folks are speaking of our own health and well-being, but this prophetic sentiment can be directly translated for gardeners dealing with the management of plant diseases with fungicide products.

Using Pesticide Effectively

Caucasian Gardener Performing Scheduled Spring Time Insecticide and Fungicide Job.

For effective use of any pesticide (like fungicides), we often say, “three rights never make a wrong”. The three “rights” you must pay close attention to are these:

The right product for the pest/disease.
The right timing for application.
The right amount of product to apply.

The effectiveness of these preventative products will be variable depending on the type of pathogen, severity of infection, timing of the application, and if the label directions for mixing and use are explicitly followed.

Fungicides Sources

As with other pesticides, it is critical for you, as the gardener to know or ask, “What is the mode of action?” (MOA) and “What is the active ingredient?” or (AI). The front of every product label must list the active ingredient and the % it contains. Fungicides work in one of two ways, either by contact or as a systemic.

Contact fungicides are sprayed on the plant surface to prevent the fungi from entering and damaging the plant. These are most commonly used for edible and ornamental plants. A systemic or penetrating fungicide works like other systemic pesticides, in that the chemical agent is absorbed by the plant and moves throughout the vascular system of the plant as a protectant. Systemics are most commonly used for ornamentals, like roses. (some systemics are produced specifically for fruiting type plants).

Fungicides are derived from three main sources:

Mineral – Copper or sulfur
Biological – Bacillus sp. or Streptomyces sp.
Synthetic – Man-made, chemical-based

All of these types have advantages and disadvantages. All can be effective in preventing and inhibiting plant diseases if you adhere to the “3-Rights” mentioned earlier. Although all products will differ some, fungicide application frequency is typically every 7 to 10 days, depending again, on the type of pathogen and severity of the infection. Read the label! Some products are certified organic, some are not. Read the label. Importantly, fungicide products recommended for use with edibles will also list the proper number of days to wait for harvest after any application. Read the label.

Remember, reading and following all product label directions, instructions and warnings is the responsibility of the consumer, not the manufacturer or distributor.

Myth Busting: Fungicide Rotation is Critical

Farmer woman spraying tomato plants in greenhouse

At this point, it is necessary to point out that many fungal and bacterial pathogens have the ability to build up resistance to some fungicides. If the same fungicidal product is used exclusively season after season, many pathogens can develop a resistance to that product through genetic mutations. This is not science-fiction, it has been studied and observed many times in university trials in the U.S. and abroad. For the fullest, most reliable, long-term effectiveness against tough plant diseases, use a proper spray rotation during the season of three differently derived products, with random alternating patterns. Examples:

Mineral – Bio – Bio
Mineral – Synthetic – Bio
Bio – Bio – Synthetic

If your resources are limited, try to rotate at least two different products season-to-season. It could make all the difference in helping you to manage your plant disease problems.

What Fungicide Should I Use?

Protection of crops from diseases. Bottle with fungicide.

The product label holds the answer. Read the label. Have we mentioned this already? By law, products must list what diseases or pathogens will be controlled by whatever active ingredient it contains. There are many, many types of helpful fungicides.

Here are examples of some common fungicides with some info about what diseases they control, on which plants, how to use them and when NOT to use them.

Copper Fungicides

Non-systemic. Safe for use with edibles and ornamentals.
The active ingredient is either mined copper or sulfur.
Most effective against common foliar fungal or bacterial diseases (without resistance worry).
Use for: Leaf spot diseases, fire blight, early blight, powdery mildew, peach leaf curl, rust, and damping off.
NOT effective for; botrytis, white mold, phytophthora, or rhizoctonia.
Jung Customer Favorite: Liquid Copper Fungicide

Sulfur Fungicides

Non-systemic, broad-spectrum protectant fungicide for use with many edibles and ornamentals.
Formulated as a wettable powder or dust. Can leave foliage residues.
Do NOT use when the temp. is above 90°F or within 4 weeks of an oil spray, as injury to the foliage may occur.
Do NOT use on apricots, cucumbers, d’Anjou pears, melons, spinach, squash, or viburnum.
Jung Customer Favorite: Bonide Sulphur Plant Fungicide

Fung-onil™by Bonide®

Non-systemic. Safe to use with edibles and ornamentals. Use in rotation.
The active ingredient is chlorothalonil a non-organic, broad-spectrum synthetic fungicide.
Effective foliar control of molds, mildews, and bacteria.
Read the entire label for the pre-harvest interval for specific crops and for instructions of when NOT to spray, based on environmental conditions.
Jung Customer Favorite: Bonide Fung-onil Fungicide

Captan®by Bonide®

Non-systemic. Safe to use with edibles and ornamentals. Use in rotation.
The active ingredient is Captan a synthetic broad-spectrum fungicide.
Effective foliar control and suppression of gray mold, botrytis, powdery mildew, early blight, late blight, anthracnose, and other leaf spot diseases. As a drench, it can help control pythium – a pathogen that causes damping off. Will NOT control cedar-apple rust.
Do NOT apply Captan combined with horticultural oils or near the time of oil sprays.
Jung Customer Favorite: Captan 50% Fruit & Ornamental Fungicide

Neem Oil

Non-systemic. Safe to use with edibles and ornamentals.
The active ingredient is azadirachtin derived from neem trees.
Weak as a foliar fungicide. For use with minor infections of mildews and suppression of minor leaf spot diseases. More effective as a deterrent insecticide or for soft-bodied pests.
Do NOT apply during periods of high temperatures.
Jung Customer Favorite: 70% Neem Oil

Additional Tips For Disease Control

Hand takes an apple from the tree. Harvest in organic farming. Apple tree disease, sooty blotch and flyspeck.

As gardeners, we should manage our expectations of plant disease control in our own gardens. Recognizing that your plants will never be immune to diseases is a critical and helpful step. Try instead to focus on how to best MANAGE plant diseases in our garden.

Choose disease-resistant varieties, keep your garden clean and free from debris or weeds, maintain proper plant spacing, and keep garden soil rich with organic material and nutritionally balanced. One of the best management tools we have in our gardening quiver is fungicides.