Procymidone 50% WP: A High – Performance Fungicide for Crop Protection

2. Active Ingredient and Chemical Properties

• Chemical Name: N – (3,5 – dichlorophenyl) – 1,2 – dimethylcyclopropane – 1,2 – dicarboximide
• CAS Number: 32809 – 16 – 8
• Molecular Formula: C₁₃H₁₁Cl₂NO₂
• Molecular Weight: 284.14 g/mol
• Formulation: Wettable Powder. The wettable powder formulation allows for easy mixing with water, forming a stable suspension that can be evenly sprayed onto crops. This ensures uniform coverage and effective delivery of the active ingredient to the target areas.

3. Mode of Action

1. Inhibition of Triglyceride Synthesis: Procymidone works by inhibiting the synthesis of triglycerides in fungi. Triglycerides are essential components of fungal cell membranes, and their disruption leads to impaired membrane function. This inhibition occurs within the fungal cells, preventing the normal formation and maintenance of cell structures.
2. Disruption of Hyphal Growth and Spore Germination: As a result of the inhibited triglyceride synthesis, the growth of fungal hyphae (the thread – like structures of fungi) is severely affected. Hyphae may swell, burst, or become deformed, unable to penetrate plant tissues or spread within the host. Additionally, procymidone has a strong inhibitory effect on the germination of fungal spores. Spores that come into contact with the fungicide are unable to develop into viable fungal colonies, thus halting the disease cycle at an early stage.
3. Systemic Activity: Procymidone exhibits systemic properties. When applied to the soil, it can be absorbed by the roots of plants and translocated to the leaves, stems, and flowers. This systemic movement ensures that all parts of the plant are protected from fungal infections, even those that may not have been directly sprayed. In foliar applications, it can be absorbed through the leaf surfaces and move within the plant’s vascular system, providing both preventive and curative action.

4. Target Crops and Diseases

4.1 Target Crops

• Fruit Crops:
  • Grapes: Widely used in vineyards to protect grapevines from various fungal diseases, ensuring healthy grape production and preventing post – harvest losses.
  • Strawberries: Helps safeguard strawberry plants, protecting the fruits from fungal attacks and maintaining their quality and marketability.
  • Stone Fruits (such as peaches, plums, and cherries): Protects these fruits from diseases during growth and storage, reducing the risk of rot and spoilage.
• Vegetable Crops:
  • Tomatoes: Effective in controlling diseases that commonly affect tomato plants, such as gray mold and early blight, which can significantly reduce yields.
  • Cucumbers: Protects cucumber plants from fungal infections, ensuring the growth of high – quality cucumbers.
  • Lettuce: Helps keep lettuce free from fungal diseases, maintaining its freshness and appearance.
  • Peppers: Guards pepper plants against diseases, promoting healthy growth and fruit development.
• Field Crops:
  • Cereals: Used to control fungal diseases in wheat, barley, and other cereal crops, safeguarding grain quality and yield.
  • Sunflowers: Protects sunflower plants from fungal pathogens, ensuring proper growth and seed production.
  • Oilseed Rape: Helps manage fungal diseases that can affect oilseed rape crops, which are important for oil production.
• Ornamental Plants:
  • Roses: Keeps roses free from fungal diseases, maintaining their beauty and health.
  • Chrysanthemums: Protects chrysanthemums from fungal infections, ensuring their vibrant blooms.
  • Lilies: Helps in the cultivation of healthy lilies by controlling fungal diseases.

4.2 Target Diseases

• Botrytis spp. (Gray Mold): Gray mold is a common and destructive fungal disease that affects many crops. Procymidone 50% WP is highly effective in controlling Botrytis cinerea, which causes gray mold. It can prevent the growth and spread of the fungus, reducing the formation of grayish – brown, fuzzy growth on plants and fruits.
• Sclerotinia spp. (Sclerotinia Rot): Sclerotinia rot is another major concern in various crops. Procymidone can inhibit the growth of Sclerotinia sclerotiorum and related species, preventing the formation of hard, black sclerotia (the survival structures of the fungus) and the subsequent spread of the disease.
• Monilia spp.: These fungi can cause diseases such as brown rot in stone fruits. Procymidone helps in controlling Monilia infections, protecting the fruits from rotting and maintaining their quality.
• Helminthosporium spp.: Infections by Helminthosporium spp. can lead to leaf spot and blight diseases in cereals and other crops. Procymidone can effectively manage these diseases, reducing the damage to the foliage and improving crop health.

5. Dosage and Application Guide

5.1 Dosage Recommendations

• General Guidelines: The typical application rate of Procymidone 50% WP ranges from 500 – 1000 grams per hectare. However, the exact dosage may vary depending on several factors, including the type of crop, the severity of the fungal infection, and the stage of crop growth.
• Crop – Specific Dosages:
  • Fruit Crops: For grapes, a dosage of 750 – 1000 grams per hectare may be used, especially when there is a high risk of Botrytis infection. In strawberries, 500 – 750 grams per hectare is often sufficient to control gray mold.
  • Vegetable Crops: In tomatoes, 600 – 800 grams per hectare can be applied to control gray mold and early blight. For cucumbers, 500 – 600 grams per hectare is usually recommended for protecting against fungal diseases.
  • Field Crops: In cereals, 500 – 700 grams per hectare may be applied to control diseases caused by Helminthosporium spp. In sunflowers and oilseed rape, 700 – 1000 grams per hectare can be used to manage Sclerotinia rot.

5.2 Application Timing

• Preventive Applications: It is highly recommended to apply Procymidone 50% WP preventively, before the onset of fungal diseases. This is especially crucial in areas with a history of fungal problems or during periods when environmental conditions (such as high humidity and moderate temperatures) are favorable for fungal growth. For example, in vineyards, applications can be made before the flowering stage to protect against Botrytis bunch rot.
• Curative Applications: If fungal symptoms are already present, applications should be made as soon as possible. However, the effectiveness of curative applications may be slightly lower than preventive ones. In the case of gray mold on strawberries, if the disease is detected early, a timely application of Procymidone can still prevent significant damage.

5.3 Application Methods

• Spray Application: The most common method of applying Procymidone 50% WP is through spraying. First, the wettable powder should be thoroughly mixed with water in a clean spray tank according to the recommended dosage. Use a calibrated sprayer to ensure an even distribution of the spray solution. For best results, spray the entire plant, including the upper and lower surfaces of leaves, stems, and fruits. In large – scale agricultural operations, ground – based sprayers or aerial application methods may be used, while in small – scale horticulture, handheld sprayers can be sufficient.
• Seed Treatment: In some cases, Procymidone can be used as a seed treatment. This involves coating the seeds with a suspension of the fungicide before sowing. Seed treatment can protect the emerging seedlings from soil – borne fungal diseases, providing an early start to a healthy crop. However, the specific procedures for seed treatment may vary depending on the crop and the type of seeds.

6. Key Features and Benefits

1. Broad – Spectrum Efficacy: Procymidone 50% WP offers broad – spectrum control against a wide variety of fungal diseases, making it a versatile choice for farmers and growers. Whether it’s protecting fruit crops from gray mold, vegetable crops from early blight, or field crops from Sclerotinia rot, this fungicide can effectively manage multiple fungal threats.
2. Systemic Action: Its systemic properties ensure that the entire plant is protected. This is particularly beneficial as it can reach parts of the plant that may not be directly sprayed, providing comprehensive protection against fungal infections. This also means that new growth that emerges after application can still be safeguarded.
3. Protective and Curative Effects: Procymidone provides both protective and curative action. As a protective fungicide, it forms a barrier on the plant surface, preventing fungal spores from germinating and infecting the plant. As a curative fungicide, it can penetrate the plant tissues and inhibit the growth of existing fungal infections, reducing the severity of the disease.
4. Low Phytotoxicity: When used as directed, Procymidone 50% WP has low phytotoxicity, meaning it is unlikely to cause damage to the crops. This allows for safe and effective use, minimizing the risk of harming the very plants it is intended to protect. However, it’s important to always follow the recommended dosage and application guidelines.
5. Long – Lasting Residual Activity: It has a relatively long – lasting residual activity, which means that it continues to protect the crop from fungal infections for an extended period after application. This reduces the need for frequent re – applications, saving time and resources for farmers and growers.

7. Safety and Environmental Considerations

7.1 Toxicity to Humans and Animals

• Low Mammalian Toxicity: Procymidone has relatively low toxicity to mammals. However, as with any pesticide, it is important to handle it with care. When applying Procymidone 50% WP, users should wear appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE), such as gloves, goggles, and a mask, to avoid skin contact, eye exposure, and inhalation of the powder or spray mist.
• Impact on Non – Target Organisms: While it is primarily designed to target fungi, Procymidone may have some impact on non – target organisms. For example, it is important to avoid spraying near beneficial insects such as bees, as they can be affected by the fungicide. Additionally, care should be taken to prevent runoff into water bodies, as it may have some toxicity to aquatic organisms.

7.2 Environmental Fate

• Degradation in the Environment: Procymidone degrades in the environment over time. In soil, it may be broken down by microbial activity and chemical processes. The degradation rate can be influenced by factors such as soil type, temperature, and moisture. In general, it does not persist in the environment for extremely long periods, reducing the risk of long – term environmental contamination.
• Residue Management: To minimize environmental impact, it is important to follow the recommended application rates and safety intervals. This helps in reducing the amount of residues left on crops and in the environment. Additionally, proper disposal of empty containers and any unused product is essential to prevent environmental pollution.

8. Packaging and Storage

8.1 Packaging Options

• Bulk Packaging: For large – scale agricultural users, it may be available in 25 – kilogram bags or drums. These are suitable for commercial farmers and agricultural enterprises that require large quantities of the fungicide.
• Smaller Packaging: Small – scale horticulturists and home gardeners can access Procymidone 50% WP in smaller packages, such as 1 – kilogram bags, 500 – gram sachets, or even smaller units like 100 – gram packets. This allows for more precise and cost – effective use for those with smaller areas to treat.

8.2 Storage Instructions

• Storage Conditions: Store Procymidone 50% WP in a cool, dry place, away from direct sunlight and heat sources. The ideal storage temperature is between 5 – 30°C. High temperatures and humidity can affect the quality and efficacy of the product.
• Keep Out of Reach of Children and Pets: Ensure that the product is stored in a location that is inaccessible to children and pets to prevent accidental ingestion or exposure.
• Seal Containers Properly: After use, always seal the containers tightly to prevent moisture ingress and the escape of the powder, which could lead to reduced efficacy and potential environmental contamination.

9. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Can Procymidone 50% WP be used in organic farming?
   • No, Procymidone is a synthetic fungicide and is not approved for use in organic farming. Organic farming typically relies on natural and approved organic substances for pest and disease control.
2. How does Procymidone compare to other fungicides?
   • Procymidone has a unique mode of action compared to many other fungicides. It is highly effective against fungal diseases caused by Botrytis, Sclerotinia, and related species. It can be more effective than some traditional fungicides, especially against diseases that have developed resistance to other products. However, the choice of fungicide also depends on factors such as the specific crop, disease pressure, and cost – effectiveness.
3. Is it safe to use Procymidone on edible crops?
   • When used according to the recommended dosage and safety intervals, Procymidone 50% WP is safe for use on edible crops. The residues on the crops are within the acceptable limits set by regulatory authorities for human consumption. However, it is crucial to always follow the label instructions carefully.
4. Can Procymidone be tank – mixed with other pesticides?
   • Procymidone can be tank – mixed with some other pesticides, such as certain insecticides and fungicides. However, it is important to check for compatibility before mixing. Conduct a jar test by mixing small amounts of the products first to ensure that they do not react negatively, such as forming precipitates or reducing the efficacy of either product. Some common mix partners include mancozeb to expand the range of fungal species controlled and chlorothalonil for broader protective coverage.
5. What should I do if I accidentally spill Procymidone 50% WP?
   • In case of a spill, immediately isolate the area to prevent the spread of the powder. Wear appropriate PPE, such as gloves and a mask. Use absorbent materials, like sand or vermiculite, to clean up the spill. Dispose of the contaminated absorbent materials according to local regulations for pesticide waste. Thoroughly clean the spill area with water and detergent to remove any remaining traces of the fungicide.