Agriculture: Apple Pest Management Guidelines

General Properties of Fungicides Used in Apples

Common name
(trade name)
Chemical class Activity Mode of action
(FRAC number)1
Resistance potential Comments
Bordeaux inorganic contact multi-site (M 01) low  
captan phthalimide contact multi-site (M 04) low highly toxic to honey bee larvae
copper inorganic contact multi-site (M 01) low  
cyprodinil (Vangard) anilinopyrimidine contact, systemic on some crops single-site (9) high7  
fenarimol (Rubigan) DMI2- pyrimidine systemic (local) single-site (3) high  
kresoxim-methyl (Sovran) QoI3 contact and systemic single-site (11) high7  
mancozeb (Dithane) carbamate EBDC4 contact multi-site (M 03) low  
mefenoxam (Ridomil Gold) phenylamide contact and systemic single-site (4) high7  
myclobutanil (Rally) DMI2-triazole systemic (local) single-site (3) high  
pyrimethanil (Scala) anilinopyrimidine contact, systemic on some crops single-site (9) high7  
sulfur inorganic contact multi-site (M 02) low highly toxic to native strains of western predatory mite (Galendromus occidentalis) and to parasites
thiophanate-methyl (Topsin-M) MBC6 systemic (local) single-site (1) high7  
trifloxystrobin (Flint Extra) QoI3 contact and systemic single-site (11) high7  
triflumizole (Procure) DMI2-imidazole systemic (local) single-site (3) high  
ziram carbamate (DMDC) 5 contact multi-site (M 03) low  
1 Group numbers are assigned by the Fungicide Resistance Action Committee (FRAC) according to different modes of action. Fungicides with different group numbers are suitable to alternate in a resistance management program (for more information see www.frac.info). In California, make no more than one application of a fungicide with a mode-of-action group number associated with high resistance risk before rotating to a fungicide with a different mode-of-action group number; for other fungicides, make no more than two consecutive applications before rotating to fungicide with a different mode-of-action group number.
2 DMI = demethylation (sterol) inhibitor
3 QoI = quinone outside inhibitor (strobilurin).
4 EBDC = ethylene bisdithiocarbamate
5 DMDC = dimethyl dithiocarbamate
6 MBC = methyl benzimidazole carbamate
7 Resistance has been found in California for certain fungicides with a single-site mode of action. To reduce the risk of resistance development, take the mode of action into account when choosing a fungicide. At the beginning of a treatment program, use a fungicide with a multi-site mode of action; for subsequent applications rotate or mix fungicides with different mode of action FRAC numbers. Use labeled rates (preferably the upper range) of the single-site fungicides, and limit the total number of applications per season.

Acknowledgment: Adaskaveg et al., 2025. Fungicides, Bactericides, Biocontrols, and Natural Products for Deciduous Tree Fruit and Nut, Citrus, Strawberry, and Vine Crops in California

Text Updated: 07/24
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