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INSECTICIDES
FUNGICIDES
Definitions, Product uses, Generalised mode of action.
Agricura PVT Limited presents:
(Acknowledgements: CropLife Zimbabwe)
INSECTICIDES:
Insecticides are chemical compounds which are specifically developed for their insecticidal properties. These may be grouped according to the way they are taken in by insects as follows:
Contact insecticides
These are compounds which control insects when they come into contact with it either by direct spraying of insects or the movement of the insect over treated areas.
Stomach insecticides
These are compounds which control insects after the ingestion of treated plant material.
Systemic insecticides
These are compounds which are absorbed by plants and taken in by sucking insects when sucking plant sap where it then acts as a stomach insecticide.
Fumigants
These control insects when the gas or vapour enters the insect through breathing openings (spiracles)
A specific insecticide may have more than one of these characteristics e.g most contact compounds are also stomach insecticides and some contact compounds are also fumigants.
Insect growth regulators (IGR)
These are chemically reproduced insect hormones that are used to disrupt the normal development of insects e.g synthetic moulting hormones which prevent insects from reaching maturity.
Insect pheromones
Synthetic pheromones which are used to negatively influence insect populations e.g when a synthetic pheromone is liberated in a natural insect population results that males have difficulty to find the female for mating. Too much pheromone results in male confusion. Insecticides can be preventative i.e applied before detection of the pest or corrective i.e treatment takes place after detection of the pest.
FUNGICIDES
Fungicides are compounds that are specifically developed for their disease control properties. A fungicide can be a contact compound by inhibiting fungi when it comes into contact with fungi or it may be a synthetic compound which is taken up by the plant, controlling the fungus when it comes into contact with it. Fungicides can be applied at various stages of fungus development as follows:
Prophylactic (preventative) i.e the fungicide is on the target area before spore germination but before penetration and infection of the plant. The fungus spore is killed before penetration.
Corrective
The fungicide is applied after penetration and infection by the fungus but before the appearance of the first symptoms. The fungus is killed inside the the infected tissue and further development is stopped.
Curative
The fungicide is applied after penetration, infection and the appearance of the first symptoms which then enables the diseased plant to recover.
Agricura is the leading and most and most recognized brand in Agriculture chemicals and pest control services in Zimbabwe. We offer a comprehensive agrochemicals package supported by free expert technical assistance country wide. Agrochemicals formulated and distributed by Agricura include insecticides, fungicides, fumigants, herbicides, rodenticides, nematicides, adjuvants and veterinary products/remedies (dips and doses).