Chemical Class and Triazole Mode of Action
Hexaconazole belongs to the triazole chemical class and functions as a Sterol Biosynthesis Inhibitor (SBI - FRAC Group 3 DMI). It specifically inhibits cytochrome P450-mediated C-14 demethylation of 24-methylene-24,25-dihydrolanosterol in fungal cell membranes.
This metabolic inhibition prevents the formation of ergosterol—a vital structural building block of fungal cell walls—resulting in membrane leakage, abnormal hyphal growth, and termination of fungal spore germination.
- Systemic Acropetal Translocation: Rapidly absorbed by foliage and translocated upward via xylem vessels to protect newly developing foliage.
- Suspension Concentrate (SC) Formulation: Provides superior leaf coverage, rainfast adherence, and nozzle suspension compared to older dusts or wettable powders.
- Triple Action Protection: Exhibits preventive barrier defense, early-stage curative healing, and active fungal eradication.
Target Fungal Pathogens and Major Crops
Contaf Plus is registered under CIBRC standards for controlling critical economic fungal diseases across cereal, oilseed, plantation, and vegetable crops. It is widely recognized for superior efficacy against Rhizoctonia solani in irrigated rice ecosystems.
In addition to rice sheath blight, it manages powdery mildew (Erysiphe and Oidium species) in mango and grapes, tikka leaf spot (Cercospora arachidicola) in groundnut, and blister blight in plantation tea.
- Rice Sheath Blight: Curbs lesion expansion and sclerotial spread on rice tillers and upper leaf sheaths.
- Powdery Mildew Control: Eradicates white powdery fungal coatings on blossoms, leaves, and developing fruit clusters.
- Groundnut Tikka Disease: Preserves green leaf area during critical pegging and pod-filling growth stages.
Foliar Spraying Technique and Best Practices
Apply Contaf Plus at the first visual appearance of disease lesions or under high relative humidity and overcast conditions conducive to fungal epidemics. Maintain adequate spray volume using knapsack or power sprayers fitted with hollow cone nozzles to ensure thorough canopy penetration.
To delay pathogen resistance development, avoid repeated unrotated applications of triazole fungicides. Alternate Contaf Plus sprays with multisite contact fungicides like Mancozeb, Chlorothalonil, or strobilurin-based formulations.
- Preventive Timing: Spray at early vegetative or maximum tillering stage before fungal lesions reach upper flag leaves.
- Compatibility: Compatible with commonly used neutral insecticides and micro-nutrient foliar sprays.
- Safety and PHI: Adhere strictly to the pre-harvest intervals and personal protective equipment standards specified on the container label.
Official source
Check the latest rules, benefits and forms here. KisanPe is an independent platform and is not a government website.
Central Insecticides Board & Registration Committee (CIBRC) ↗Related on KisanPe
Common questions
What is the active technical ingredient in Contaf Plus?
Contaf Plus contains Hexaconazole 5% SC (Suspension Concentrate), a systemic triazole fungicide.
Which major rice disease is Contaf Plus used against?
It is widely utilized for preventive and curative control of sheath blight caused by Rhizoctonia solani in rice fields.
How does Hexaconazole stop fungal disease spread?
It inhibits demethylation in the ergosterol biosynthesis pathway, disrupting fungal cell membrane integrity and halting hyphal growth.
General guidance, not personal advice. For your farm, ask your local Krishi Vigyan Kendra or agriculture officer.
More Crop Protection & Pesticides guides
Ask Sakhi AI in your language, check live mandi prices or plan a loan with KisanPe tools.