New Fungicides: Opportunities and Challenges - A Case Study with Dimethomorph

Dimethomorph is a novel fungicide with a high level of activity against diseases induced by certain Oomycetes, including fungal populations that are resistant to other products. In several ways, this fungicide illustrates the opportunities and challenges presented by many modern pesticides. The specific mode of action, which affects cell wall formation, is associated with a very high level of performance and low dose rates under field conditions. These low dose rates, combined with a low level of toxicity to non-target organisms present an outstanding safety profile. This same highly-specific mode of action, however, limits the spectrum of activity and suggests the need for a resistance management plan, both of which must be addressed in new product development. In addition, the biological and physiochemical properties of this, and other new products are not adequately described by the traditional classification of fungicides into“protectant”and“systemic”types. These unique profiles provide novel and useful products for disease control.