Fungicide Groups, Modes of Action

& Effective Pathogen Control

Cynthia Ocamb, Extension Plant Pathologist
Botany and Plant Pathology
Oregon State University
Fungicide resistance is a serious problem
•! fungicides become less effective
- decreased sensitivity to fungicide
- growth unchecked at concentrations which inhibit wild-type population

•! resistance may occur gradually or suddenly

•! can be a stable, inheritable adaptation
- Hop downy mildew populations resistant to Ridomil > 20 years
Fungicide Resistance Hallmarks

•!Reduced disease control after correct application

Plant pathogens accepted as showing a high risk of
development of resistance to fungicides
Pathogen Crop Disease
Botrytis cinerea various gray mould
Erysiphe graminis wheat/barley powdery mildew
Penicillium spp. citrus, various post harvest rot
Phytophthora infestans potato/tomato late blight
Plasmopara viticola grapevine downy mildew
Pseudoperonospora spp. cucurbits downy mildews
Pyricularia spp. rice, turf rice blast, leaf spot
Sphaerotheca spp. cucurbits powdery mildews
Venturia spp. apple, pear scab
Plant pathogens accepted as showing a medium risk of
development of resistance to fungicides
Pathogen Crop Disease
Bremia lactucae lettuce downy mildew
Cercospora spp. sugar beet, peanuts, various leaf spots
Gibberella fujikuori* rice bakanae
Monilinia spp. various Monilia rot
Septoria tritici wheat leaf spot
Mycosphaerella musicola banana yellow sigatoka
Peronospora spp. various downy mildews
Pyrenophora teres barley net blotch
Rhynchosporium secalis barley leaf blotch/scald
Sclerotinia spp. various (oil seed rape) Sclerotinia diseases
Tapesia spp. wheat/barley eyespot
Uncinula necator grapevine powdery mildew
Fungi resistant to benzimidazole
FRAC Group 1 -- includes thiophanate-methyl (Topsin)
Cereals Powdery mildew 1973
Fusarium spp. 1976
Septoria spp. 1985
Vines Botrytis spp. 1971
Powdery mildew 1980
Pome/Stone Fruit Anthracnose 1994
Powdery mildew 1975
Monilinia spp. 1973
Venturia spp. 1973
Penicillium spp. 1974
Banana Mycosphaerella fijiensis 1982
Vegetables Botrytis spp. 1987
Cucurbits - Solanacea Powdery mildew 1970
Cladosporium spp. 1972
Fusarium spp. 1973
Verticillium spp. 1976
Rhizoctonia spp. 1986
Peanuts Cercospora arachidicola 1974
Cercosporidium personatum 1974
Oilseed rape and Sclerotinia sclerotiorum 1997
other field crops
Fungi resistant to dicarboximides (based on Pommer & Lorenz 1987)
FRAC Group 2 -- Rovral (iprodione), Ronilon
Fungus -- Year first noted
Alternaria alternata -- 1980
Alternaria brassicicola -- 2005
Aspergillus nidulans -- 1977
Botrytis cinerea -- 1977
Botrytis squamosa -- 1980
Microdochium nivale -- 1990
Monilinia fructicola -- 1978
Rhizoctonia solani -- 1979
Rhizopus nigricans -- 1979
Sclerotinia minor -- 1983
Sclerotinia sclerotiorum -- 1979
Sclerotium cepivorum -- 1984
Ustilago maydis -- 1978
Fungicides - Multisite Action
Sulfur – Copper – Mercury

Bordeaux mixture (CuSO4 +lime) - 1880

Organic mercuries - 1910
Dithiocarbamates - 1930
Phthalamides (captan) - 1950
Phthalonitriles - 1960
Site-specific fungicides include
•! Benzimidazole (FRAC Group 1)
•! Dicarboximide (FRAC Group 2)
•! Phenylpyrroles (FRAC Group 12)
•! Hydroxyanilide (FRAC Group 17)
•! Carboxamide (FRAC Group 7)
•! Phenylamide (FRAC Group 4)
•! Phosphonate (FRAC Group 21)
•! Demethylation-inhibiting (FRAC Group 3)
•! Morpholine (FRAC Group 5)
•! Strobilurins (FRAC Group 11)
•! Quinoline (FRAC Group 13)
How fungi fight back (fungicide resistance modes)
•! modification of sensitive site
•! exclusion of fungicide
•! detoxifying the fungicide
Risk factors ~ fungicide resistance
•! # of site(s) of action in the targeted microbe
•! fitness of resistant mutants
•! use of repetitive or sustained fungicide treatments
•! extensive areas of use
•! population size and reproductive rate of target pathogen
•! no use of other types of fungicides or cultural controls
•! cross-resistance with existing fungicides
(resistance to two or more fungicides mediated by the same genetic factor)
Onion — Downy Mildew
•! Peronospora destructor, a fungus-like microorganism
•! overwinters on infected plants or debris
•! disease is favored by cool (less than 72°F) and humid weather
•! many Allium spp. are affected
•! there are no resistant cultivars
•! Pesticides registered in 1999 for downy mildew of onion
•! Aliette WDG
•! Champ Formula 2
•! Kocide DF
•! Maneb 75 DF
•! Manzate 200 DF
•! Ridomil/Bravo 81 W
•! Ridomil MZ 72
•! Ridomil Gold MZ
 Pesticides currently registered for downy mildew of onion
•!Acrobat 50WP as a tank-mix with another fungicide that has a different mode of action. FRAC
Group 40
•!Copper formulations offer limited control. FRAC Group M1
Champ Formula 2, CuevaO, Cuprofix Ultra 40D, Kocide 2000, Kop-R-Spray, NuCop 50WPO
•!Dithane formulations are labeled. FRAC Group M3
Dithane DF Rainshield, Dithane F45 Rainshield
•!Forum as a tank-mix with another fungicide that has a different mode of action. Do not apply
more than two applications before alternating to a fungicide with a different mode of action.
FRAC Group 40
•!ManKocide FRAC Group M3
•!Manzate 75 DF FRAC Group M3
•!Phosphonates (FRAC Group 33) can be very effective.
Agri-Fos, Aliette WDG, Legion 80 WDG, Topaz
•!Presidio as a tank-mix. FRAC Group 43
•!Revus. Do not apply more than two applications before alternating to a fungicide with a
different mode of action. FRAC Group 40
•!Ridomil Gold Bravo SC FRAC Groups 4 & M5
•!Ridomil Gold Copper FRAC Groups 4 & M1
•!Ridomil Gold MZ FRAC Groups 4 & M
•!Strobilurin fungicides (FRAC Group 11). Do not apply more than one application before
alternating to a fungicide with a different mode of action.
Heritage, Quadris, Quilt Xcel (FRAC 3+11), Reason 500 SC, Tanos (FRAC 11+27)
 Pesticides registered for downy mildew of onion
•!FRAC Group M1 -- Copper formulations (offer limited control)
Champ Formula 2, CuevaO, Cuprofix Ultra 40D, Kocide 2000, Kop-R-Spray, NuCop 50WPO
•!FRAC Group M3
Dithane DF Rainshield, Dithane F45 Rainshield , ManKocide, Manzate 75 DF
•!FRAC Groups 4
Ridomil Gold Bravo SC, Ridomil Gold Copper, Ridomil Gold MZ
•!FRAC Group 11 -- Strobilurin fungicides
Heritage, Quadris, Quilt Xcel (FRAC 3+11), Reason 500 SC, Tanos (FRAC 11+27)
•!FRAC Group 33 -- Phosphonates (can be very effective)
Agri-Fos, Aliette WDG, Legion 80 WDG, Topaz
•!FRAC Group 40 -- Acrobat 50WP (tank-mix), Forum (tank-mix), Revus
•!FRAC Group 43 -- Presidio (tank-mix)
Ridomil

Heritage
Quadris
Presidio Reason

Acrobat
Forum
Revus

Copper

Dithane
ManKocide
Manzate
Agri-Fos
Aliette
Legion
Topaz
 Pesticides registered for downy mildew of onion
•!FRAC Group M1 -- Copper formulations (offer limited control)
Champ Formula 2, CuevaO, Cuprofix Ultra 40D, Kocide 2000, Kop-R-Spray, NuCop 50WPO
•!FRAC Group M3
Dithane DF Rainshield, Dithane F45 Rainshield , ManKocide, Manzate 75 DF
•!FRAC Groups 4
Ridomil Gold Bravo SC, Ridomil Gold Copper, Ridomil Gold MZ
Active on PM not DM
•!FRAC Group 11 -- Strobilurin fungicides
Heritage, Quadris, Quilt Xcel (FRAC 3+11), Reason 500 SC, Tanos (FRAC 11+27)
•!FRAC Group 33 -- Phosphonates (can be very effective)
Agri-Fos, Aliette WDG, Legion 80 WDG, Topaz
•!FRAC Group 40 -- Acrobat 50WP (tank-mix), Forum (tank-mix), Revus
•!FRAC Group 43 -- Presidio (tank-mix)
 Onion downy mildew control program
•! rotate/tank-mix labeled fungicides among FRAC groups
•! be aware of premixes that have an ineffective component
•! best to rotate after every single spray
•! scout fields for disease when unusually warm late winters
rather than starting program in Feb.
 Onion downy mildew control
Cultural control is still paramount
•! Practice a 3-year or longer crop rotation if possible.
•! Avoid poorly drained soils.
•! To minimize high humidity, plant in the direction of
prevailing winds, avoid using wind breaks, manage plant
density and spacing, and don!t use overhead irrigation.
•! Destroy onion plant refuse and cull piles.
•! Eradicate volunteer or wild Allium spp.
 1999 -- Pesticides registered for white mold in snap bean
•!Ronilan
•!Benlate
•!Topsin
•!Rovral
•!Botran
 Benzimidazole (Group 1)
thiophanate-methyl (Topsin)
•! affects wide range of fungi
•! inhibition of fungal tubule function (mitosis structure)
•! low frequencies of resistance in wild population
•! single step to high level resistance
•! resistant mutants as fit as wild strains
 Dicarboximide (Group 2)
iprodione (Rovral), vinclozolin (Ronilan)
•! activity on Botrytis, Sclerotinia, and Monilinia
•! inhibit germination of spores and mycelial growth
(exact mode of action unclear)
•! resistant strains have moderate level of resistance
•! cross resistance is a problem esp. with Botrytis
 Fungicides (not biologicals) currently registered for white mold in snap bean
•! Botran 75W. Use in the past has shown poor efficacy. FRAC Group 14
•! Endura at 8 to 11 oz/A at the beginning of flowering and again at full bloom. PHI is 7 days.
FRAC Group 7
•! Omega 500F at 0.5 to 0.85 pint/A when 10 to 30% of the plants have at least one open
blossom and again 7 to 10 days later. PHI is 14 days. FRAC Group 29
•! Switch 62.5WG at 11 to 14 oz/A when 10 to 20% of plants have at least one open bloom and
again 7 days later. PHI is 7 days. FRAC Group 12 and 9

iprodione -- FRAC Group 2

•! Nevado 4F at 1.5 to 2 pints/A when 10% of plants have at least one open bloom and again 5
to 7 days later or up to peak bloom.
•! Rovral 4 Flowable at 1.5 to 2 pints/A when 1 to 10% of plants have at least one open bloom
and again 5 to 7 days later or up to peak bloom.

thiophanate-methyl -- FRAC Group 1

•! T-Methyl 4.5F AG at 30 to 40 fl oz/A when 10 to 30% of plants have at least one open
bloom and again 7 days later. PHI is 14 days.
•! Topsin M 70WP at 1 to 1.5 lb/A or Topsin 4.5 FL at 30 to 40 fl oz/A when 10 to 30% of
the plants have at least one bloom open and repeat application 4 to 7 days later. PHI is 14 days.
 Topsin

Endura Omega

Switch

Rovral
 Fungicides registered for Gray Mold in snap bean
•! Botran 75W. Use in the past has shown poor efficacy. FRAC Group 14
•! Endura at 8 to 11 oz/A at the beginning of flowering and again at full bloom. PHI is 7 days.
FRAC Group 7
•! Omega 500F at 0.5 to 0.85 pint/A when 10 to 30% of the plants have at least one open
blossom and again 7 to 10 days later. PHI is 14 days. FRAC Group 29
•! Switch 62.5WG at 11 to 14 oz/A when 10 to 20% of plants have at least one open bloom and
again 7 days later. PHI is 7 days. FRAC Group 12 and 9

iprodione -- FRAC Group 2

•! Nevado 4F at 1.5 to 2 pints/A when 10% of plants have at least one open bloom and again 5
to 7 days later or up to peak bloom.
•! Rovral 4 Flowable at 1.5 to 2 pints/A when 1 to 10% of plants have at least one open bloom
and again 5 to 7 days later or up to peak bloom.

thiophanate-methyl -- FRAC Group 1

•! T-Methyl 4.5F AG at 30 to 40 fl oz/A when 10 to 30% of plants have at least one open
bloom and again 7 days later. PHI is 14 days.
•! Topsin M 70WP at 1 to 1.5 lb/A or Topsin 4.5 FL at 30 to 40 fl oz/A when 10 to 30% of
the plants have at least one bloom open and repeat application 4 to 7 days later. PHI is 14 days.
 % pods with Stem # with
Planting #3 -- Bean Mold Treatments (rate/acre) Z white mold y white mold y
nontreated (water control) 28.7 a 8.18 a
Topsin 4.5FL (30 fl oz) 3.1 fg 3.03 ef
Rovral 4F (1.5 pt) + Topsin 4.5FL (30 fl oz) 1.4 g 0.77 j
Omega (8 oz) 10.5 c 3.83 d
Omega (11 oz) 7.4 de 2.74 f
Omega (13.6 oz) 3.0 fg 1.83 gh
Endura (8 oz) + crop oil (2 qt/100 gal) 14.5 b 4.78 c
Endura (8 oz) + JMS Stylet Oil (0.5 gal/A) 9.9 cd 3.23 ef
Topsin 4.5FL (30 fl oz)+Endura (5 oz)+crop oil (2 qt/100 gal) 2.1 fg 1.42 hi
* Propulse SC (6.84 oz/A) + nonionic adjuvant (0.125 % v/v) 8.0 cd 3.40 de
* Propulse SC (8.6 oz/A) + nonionic adjuvant (0.125 % v/v) 4.6 ef 1.05 ij
* Propulse SC (10.3 oz/A) + nonionic adjuvant (0.125 % v/v) 4.4 f 1.29 hij
JMS Stylet-Oil (1 gal/A) 30.4 a 7.28 b
Rovral 4F (2 pt) + JMS Stylet Oil (0.5 gal/A) 4.9 ef 2.02 g
* experimental material (not labeled for snap bean)
Z 10% and 100% bloom applications were made on 22 and 29 Sep 2010, respectively.
y Means are based on the % pods or stem number affected per plant. Column numbers followed by the

same letter are not significantly different at P=0.05 as determined by Fisher!s protected LSD test.
Resistance management strategies
As many strategies as possible should be used
•! avoid repetitive and sole use
•! tank mix or alternate with an appropriate fungicide
•! limit number of treatments
•! apply protective sprays early in the epidemic
•! avoid eradicant use
•! maintain recommended dose rate
•! integrate with non-chemical methods
Crop management practices (cultural control) for
delaying development of fungicide resistance
Reduce humidity and high moisture periods within the plant canopy and field.
a. Provide adequate aeration within, and especially between, rows by
increasing plant and row spacing.
b. Plant cultivars, which are more erect and upright or that do not produce
excessive foliage near the ground level (open-base types).
c. Orient the bean rows in the direction of prevailing winds.
d. Time irrigations to allow drying of plant canopy before night fall.
e. Avoid excessive irrigation after petal fall.
f. Avoid excessive fertilization that can lead to dense, lush plant growth.
 Crop management practices (cultural control) for
delaying development of fungicide resistance
•! To reduce pathogen population within a field:
a. Rotate with non-hosts for 8 years.
b. Deep plowing buries sclerotia.
c. Field flooding during warm temperatures destroys sclerotia.
Take home message
* Fungicide resistance is a serious problem for crop production
* Pay attention to FRAC groupings for fungicide programs
* Utilize as many resistance management strategies as possible
•! practice non-chemical control methods (cultural control)
•! tank mix and/or alternate appropriate fungicides
•! limit number and timing of fungicide treatments
•! avoid eradicant use or too-late applications
•! maintain recommended dose rate and ensure even coverage
* Watch for and report any developing resistance problems
•! http://www.frac.info/frac/index.htm

•! Pacific Northwest Plant Disease Management Handbook

on-line guide at http://ipmnet.org/plant-disease