Active Ingredient Chemistry and Mode of Action
Contaf combines preventive, curative, and eradicative activity through systemic vascular movement.
Key biochemical attributes:
- Active ingredient: Hexaconazole formulated as an emulsifiable concentrate at 5% EC concentration.
- Ergosterol biosynthesis inhibitor (DMI): Blocks C-14 demethylation in fungal sterol pathways, preventing functional cell membrane formation.
- Acropetal systemic movement: Absorbed rapidly by green foliage and translocated upward toward expanding leaf tips and young shoots.
- Anti-sporulant action: Halts post-infection fungal lesion expansion, stops sporulation, and prevents secondary disease spread.
Target Crops and Registered Disease Spectrum
Contaf is registered under CIBRC guidelines across key food grains, oilseeds, and horticultural fruits.
Major registered crop uses:
- Paddy (Rice): Controls sheath blight (Rhizoctonia solani) and blast, preserving stem strength and preventing premature crop lodging.
- Groundnut: Suppresses early and late leaf spots (Tikka disease) and rust, maintaining healthy green leaf canopies.
- Mango and Grapes: Controls powdery mildew (Oidium mangiferae) on blossom panicles, young fruits, and grapevine foliage.
- Apple: Provides protective and curative control against apple scab (Venturia inaequalis) and powdery mildew in temperate orchards.
Application Guidelines and Spray Safety
Timely application upon first symptom detection ensures maximum disease containment.
Safe spraying guidelines:
- Label dose compliance: Measure strictly according to package instructions; mix thoroughly with clean, neutral water.
- Preventive and curative timing: Apply at early symptom onset; repeat at 12 to 14-day intervals if weather conditions favor fungal development.
- Resistance management: Alternate hexaconazole with multi-site contact protectants like mancozeb or copper fungicides to prevent resistance buildup.
- Operator safety: Wear personal protective equipment including rubber gloves, eye goggles, and a protective mask during spray mixing.
Official source
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Directorate of Plant Protection, Quarantine & Storage ↗Related on KisanPe
Common questions
What is the active chemical ingredient in Contaf fungicide?
Contaf contains Hexaconazole 5% EC, a broad-spectrum systemic triazole fungicide.
How does hexaconazole control fungal plant diseases?
It inhibits ergosterol biosynthesis in fungal cell membranes, stopping mycelial growth and preventing spore formation.
Which major rice disease is effectively controlled by Contaf?
Contaf provides outstanding protective and curative control against sheath blight (Rhizoctonia solani) in paddy crops.
General guidance, not personal advice. For your farm, ask your local Krishi Vigyan Kendra or agriculture officer.
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