3 Important Things to Keep in Mind When Using a Fungicide

 

 

Plants grow in the open, which makes them prone to attacks of various kinds. This includes attacks from various pests like insects, fungi, bacteria, MLOs, viruses etc. The attack of insects is easily visible and necessary steps can be taken immediately after detecting the attack. Things become slightly complicated when a plant is attacked by fungi. It starts as a small discolouration or a dark patch and spreads rapidly from one plant to the next. 

A fungi attack can often go undetected until it’s too late to do something about it. This is why agriculture experts recommend farmers to use fungicides as a preventative measure. Although they can also be used to treat an infected plant, it’s best used for prevention because after a plant has been infected, it can only be treated.This is why fungicides like carbendazim are popular amongst the farmers, for they are effective. However, excessive use of fungicides can only be harmful to plants. Farmers have to be careful when they are using fungicides on their crops. If you are planning to use a fungicide on your crops, here are 3 important things you should keep in mind:

1. Know the Types

Fungicides have been divided into two categories. The first category is of contact fungicides, and the second is of systemic fungicides. The other name for systemic fungicides is broad-spectrum fungicides. Both of these categories serve different purposes. 

A contact fungicide is to be used when fungi have attacked the plants. This category of fungicides is used to control and treat the infection. A systemic fungicide, on the other hand, is used for prevention. This category of fungicides is sprayed regularly on plants to prevent any fungi infection.

Earlier, the distinction between the two used to be important. However, modern fungicides available in the market are a blend of both these categories of fungicides. For instance, carbendazim is a systemic fungicide and mancozeb is a contact fungicide. From the market, you can buy a carbendazim and mancozeb mixed fungicide. You can use this fungicide for prevention as well as treatment. Currently, you can buy carbendazim online too, along with other fungicides, including mixed ones.

2. Do not Buy Without Reading the Label

There are a variety of fungicides available in the market. This is because no one fungicide works for all plants. Every plant has different requirements and only a specific type of fungi attacks it. Whenever you are buying fungicides, you will notice that it states on the back of the label which plants it can be used with.It also states how to use it, and how much of it to use. 

Reading the label before purchasing a fungicide is important because, as mentioned before, although fungicides can prevent and treat fungi infection, their excessive usage can be harmful to the plants. Its excessive usage can even make the yield slightly toxic for consumption. The label at the back of the packet gives precise information about all that you need to know about that particular fungicide. If you are unsure which fungicide is best for your crops, you can always the store manager for clarity. They will help you pick the best one for your crops. And if you have purchased fungicides before and know what works for them, you can simply buy fungicides online and they will be directly delivered to your doorstep. In that case, you can help your fellow farmers pick the best fungicide for them.

3. Always Use it As Prescribed

A common myth amongst farmers regarding the usage of a fungicide is that if a small amount is beneficial for the plants, a large amount will be more effective. That is certainly not true for fungicides, not even for pesticides or insecticides. This is why agriculture experts recommend that one should always a fungicide as prescribed on the back of the label. Every fungicide packet has a label on its back that states the names of the crops it can be used for, how to use the fungicide, and how to make the solution. It is highly recommended to follow that prescribed method while making a solution and spraying the fungicides. Not following the prescribed method can make your crops wither, and your yield will be of subpar quality. In the worst case, it can make your yield toxic for human consumption. So, always make the solution after thoroughly reading and understanding the prescribed method at the label on the back.

Using a fungicide has become an essential part of farming. If you don’t use it, it’s impossible to prevent a fungi attack on your crops. However, as long as you keep in mind the aforementioned important points, you will prevent fungi infections and keep your crops healthy.