Fluopyram: A Broad-Spectrum, Preventive Fungicide – Re-stated
1. Mode of action and role
Fluopyram belongs to the SDHI (succinate-dehydrogenase inhibitor) family and behaves as a true protectant: it stops fungi at the gate rather than curing an infection that is already inside the plant. This broad-spectrum shield is useful in many crops, but only if it is deployed deliberately and on time.
2. Key targets and host crops
Foliage, stems and fruit are the main plant parts protected.
• Potato and tomato early/late blight – Phytophthora infestans
• Downy mildew of grape, cucurbits, lettuce, etc. – Peronospora spp.
• Powdery mildew of grape, apple, rose, cucurbits – Erysiphe, Podosphaera spp.
• Grey mould on grape, berry and tomato – Botrytis cinerea
• Septoria leaf spot in wheat, barley – Septoria spp.
• Anthracnose on fruit, vegetable and ornamental hosts – Colletotrichum spp.
3. Timing rule
Because the product is preventive, spray before the fungus lands or at the very first sign of disease. Once the epidemic is rolling, expect little comeback.
4. Dose and delivery
Rates vary with formulation, crop, growth stage, disease pressure, local law and label version—no universal figure can be quoted here. Read the current label; it is the only valid recipe. Foliar application with ground or air equipment that gives complete, uniform cover is the standard method.
Fluopyram, a pyridylethylamide-type fungicide, delivers broad-spectrum control of key Ascomycete and Deuteromycete pathogens in both horticultural and field crops; it is equally useful as a foliar spray or seed treatment and additionally suppresses plant-parasitic nematodes.
The molecule halts every major step of fungal development—spore germination, germ-tube elongation, mycelial expansion and subsequent sporulation. After application it penetrates the leaf cuticle and redistributes translaminarly, while a limited upward circulation in the xylem extends protection to young untreated tissues.
Among the target pathogens are Botrytis cinerea, powdery mildew species, and the soybean sudden-death fungus Fusarium virguliforme.
