Fungicides and Bactericides

Fungicides and bactericides play a vital role in ensuring sustainable crop production and food security. The effective use of these agrochemicals is essential for protecting plants from fungal and bacterial pathogens, reducing yield losses, and maintaining the quality of agricultural commodities. The "Fungicides and Bactericides" Section of Agrochemicals covers advances made in our understanding of their efficacy, modes of action, and resistance risks while optimizing their application for integrated disease management. This section supports both applied and basic research to strengthen knowledge and help develop strategic approaches to the use of fungicides and bactericides.

This section focuses on these key aspects:

• Efficacy Evaluation: Assessing the performance of various types of fungicides and bactericides in different settings, including in vitro, in vivo, in planta, field trials, and other environments, to ensure the reliable control of fungal and bacterial diseases under varying environmental and biological conditions.
• Sensitivity Testing: Examining the sensitivity of fungal and bacterial pathogens to pesticides, including baseline sensitivity, effective concentrations (EC50), minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs), and potential shifts in susceptibility over time.
• Mode of Action: Exploring the biochemical and physiological mechanisms by which pesticides target fungal and bacterial pathogens, alongside molecular characteristics associated with these actions.
• Resistance Dynamics: Phenotyping resistance to multiple pesticides, identifying point mutations or other genetic characteristics, and evaluating cross-resistance and fitness costs associated with resistance development in both fungal and bacterial populations.
• Integrated Pest Management: Combining fungicides and bactericides into comprehensive disease control programs by integrating or alternating chemical, biological, and cultural methods to reduce reliance on synthetic compounds and enhance sustainability.
• Residue Analysis: Studying the persistence, degradation, and movement of pesticide residues in plants, soil, and water to mitigate risks to human health, non-target organisms, and the environment.