Aryloxyaliphatic Acids as Systemic Fungicides

Abstract

A SYSTEMIC fungicide may be defined as a fungicidal compound which is readily translocated as such in the plant, rendering the tissues penetrated toxic to fungi. It is immaterial whether the fungus is killed at the point of penetration or not, for the toxic effect of a fungicide depends on its concentration, and a compound does not cease to be a fungicide because it is present in sublethal amounts. Outstanding work on the treatment of vascular disease, in particular Dutch elm disease, by compounds translocated in the host has been carried out by Horsfall² and his associates; more recently, McNew and Sundholm³ have shown that leaf injection with certain 4-nitrosopyrazoles will significantly reduce infection with Alternaria solani on tomato, clearly indicating a systemic action.