Fungicides

Fungicides kill or prevent the growth of fungi and their spores. Fungicides work in a variety of ways, but most of them damage fungal cell membranes or interfere with energy production within fungal cells.

Fungicides are one control method that can be used in an Integrated Pest Management plan for fungal diseases. Numerous fungicides are registered with the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority for use in Western Australia. In agricultural crops fungicides protect yield potential, they do not increase yield and cannot retrieve lost yield if applied after infection is established.

Before making the decision to apply a fungicide correct disease diagnosis is essential.

To reduce the impacts of fungal diseases, the Department of Agriculture and Food, Western Australia:

• provides diagnostic services and information on prevention, management and treatment of fungal diseases.
• provides biosecurity measures to: prevent the introduction of, eradicate and/or manage fungal diseases.

If you need advice on fungicides please search our website or the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority website. Our Pest and Disease Information Service (PaDIS) can also put you in contact with a fungicide expert.