What Is Cyproconazole and Why Is It an Effective Triazole Fungicide?

Technical Introduction

Cyproconazole is a systemic triazole fungicide belonging to the demethylation inhibitor (DMI) class. It works by inhibiting C14-demethylase, a key enzyme in the ergosterol biosynthesis pathway of fungi. Ergosterol is an essential component of fungal cell membranes, and its disruption leads to abnormal cell growth, leakage, and eventual fungal death.

Cyproconazole is absorbed quickly by leaves and stems and moves systemically throughout the plant, providing both protective and curative activity. It has long residual efficacy, making it valuable for protecting cereals, fruits, coffee, and oilseeds from economically important fungal diseases.

Applications

• Cereals (Wheat, Barley, Corn, Rice): Controls rusts, powdery mildew, leaf spots, and fusarium head blight.

• Coffee: Widely used for managing coffee leaf rust (Hemileia vastatrix).

• Soybean & Oilseeds: Effective against frogeye leaf spot, rust, and cercospora leaf blight.

• Fruits (Banana, Citrus, Grapes): Used to control sigatoka, scab, powdery mildew, and anthracnose.

• Vegetables (Tomato, Pepper, Cucumber): Protects against powdery mildew and leaf spot diseases.

• Forestry & Ornamentals: Helps prevent rusts and leaf diseases in trees and ornamental plants.

Advantages

• Systemic & Long-Lasting: Rapid absorption and systemic translocation ensure long-term protection.

• Dual Action: Works as both a preventive and an early curative fungicide.

• Broad-Spectrum Control: Effective against many ascomycetes, basidiomycetes, and deuteromycetes.

• Residual Protection: Reduces application frequency, saving time and costs.

• Resistance Management: Can be rotated or mixed with non-DMI fungicides to delay resistance.

• Crop Safety: Safe for major crops when used at recommended doses.

Specifications (Typical Parameters)

FAQ

Q1: Is Cyproconazole a systemic fungicide?
A: Yes, it is fully systemic, moving within plant tissues for broad protection.

Q2: Which crop disease is Cyproconazole most known for controlling?
A: It is especially effective against coffee leaf rust and cereal rust diseases.

Q3: Can Cyproconazole be used alone?
A: Yes, but it is often combined with strobilurin fungicides (e.g., azoxystrobin, trifloxystrobin) to broaden spectrum and delay resistance.

Q4: Does Cyproconazole have curative properties?
A: Yes, it can stop early fungal infections shortly after they occur, though preventive use is always most effective.

Q5: How should Cyproconazole be stored?
A: Store in a cool, dry, well-ventilated place, away from direct sunlight and food/feed products.