DMI Fungicides- FAQs

Different fungi can infect different sections of the plant, such as the leaves, stems, flowers, and roots, resulting in fungus infections. Plants with fungal infections may experience slower growth, poorer yields, and even plant mortality in some circumstances. Numerous fungi, including powdery mildew, rust, downy mildew, botrytis, and verticillium wilt, can cause fungal diseases in plants, which are quite prevalent. These fungi infections can proliferate swiftly, especially in warm, humid environments. 

Depending on the type of fungus and the area of the plant affected, the symptoms of fungal infections in plants might change. Discoloration, stains, wilting, leaf drop, and stunted development are a few typical signs. Plants with fungal diseases may become attracted to insect pests, worsening the situation. Combining preventive and control strategies, such as good hygiene, crop rotation, and the use of fungicides, helps to manage fungal infections in plants. For the plant to receive the right treatment, the precise fungal infection that is causing it must be identified (Dias, 2012).

Control of Fungal Infections using fungicides:

    Fungicides are applied to crops, plants, and other materials to prevent and control fungal infestations. Fungal infections can seriously harm plants, resulting in slower development, poorer yields, and in rare circumstances, plant death. Fungal infections in crops can have a substantial negative economic impact as well as affect the availability of food and feed. Fungicides function by destroying or obstructing fungi's ability to grow and reproduce (El-Baky and Amara, 2012). Fungicides come in a variety of forms, such as contact fungicides, which act on the plant's surface, and systemic fungicides, which are absorbed by the plant and offer more comprehensive defense and other categories (Zeilinger et. al., 2016).

DMI Fungicides:

    A class of fungicides known as DMI (demethylation inhibitor) fungicides prevent the formation of ergosterol, a crucial component of the membranes of fungal cells. DMI fungicides stop fungal growth and reproduction by interfering with the formation of ergosterol, which ultimately results in their demise (Mitkowski and Chaves, 2013). 

    To manage several plant diseases brought on by fungus, such as powdery mildew, rust, and scab, DMI fungicides are employed in a variety of agricultural and horticultural applications. Additionally, they are employed in turfgrass management to combat diseases like brown patch and dollar spot.

    Propiconazole, tebuconazole, myclobutanil, and triadimefon are a few of the often employed DMI fungicides. While DMI fungicides are typically regarded as safe for use on both humans and animals when administered as instructed, improper application might result in adverse effects on non-target organisms such as the beneficial insects and aquatic life.

Mode of Action of DMI Fungicides:

In order to prevent the production of ergosterol from lanosterol, DMI fungicides work by inhibiting the activity of the enzyme C14-demethylase. Without ergosterol, the fungal cell membrane weakens and loses the ability to retain its structural integrity, which causes cell death and prevents the growth and reproduction of the fungus (David et. al., 2022).

DMI fungicides offer longer-lasting protection than contact fungicides because they are absorbed by the plant and distributed throughout the tissue of the plant. Additionally, DMI fungicides are renowned for their systemic activity, which enables them to shield fresh development and stop the spread of fungus to various plant parts. Rotating fungicides with varied modes of action and using fungicides as part of an integrated pest management strategy are crucial to reducing the possibility of resistance development. Here are some of the typical DMI fungicides that are sold nowadays.

References:

David, A., Strickland S., Villani S and Kerik D. 2022. Optimizing use of DMI Fungicides for management of Apple powdery mildew caused by Podosphaera leucotricha in New York State. Plant diseases., 106 (4)

Dias, M.C., 2012. Phytotoxicity: An Overview of the Physiological Responses of Plants Exposed to Fungicides. Journal of botany.

El-Baky NA, Amara AAAF. 2021. Recent Approaches towards Control of Fungal Diseases in Plants: An Updated Review. J Fungi (Basel). 7(11):900.

Mitkowski, N.A. and Chaves  A. 2013. Impact of demethylation Inhibitor (DMI) Fungicides on clipping yield and rooting depth of creeping Bentgrass. HortScience horts., 48(8): 1052-1055

Zeilinger S, Gupta VK, Dahms TE, Silva RN, Singh HB, Upadhyay RS, Gomes EV, Tsui CK, Nayak S C. 2016. Friends or foes? Emerging insights from fungal interactions with plants. FEMS Microbiol Rev. 40(2):182-207.