Active Ingredient Chemistry and Mode of Action
Score belongs to the triazole chemical group and provides translaminar and acropetal systemic mobility.
Key biochemical attributes:
- Active ingredient: Difenoconazole formulated as an emulsifiable concentrate at 25% EC.
- Biochemical mechanism: Inactivates the C-14 demethylation step in fungal ergosterol biosynthesis, arresting cell membrane formation.
- Translaminar distribution: Rapidly penetrates leaf cuticles and moves within plant tissues, defending unsprayed leaf undersides.
Target Crop Diseases and Field Utility
Difenoconazole offers broad-spectrum defense across major agricultural and horticultural crops.
Registered target diseases:
- Apple: Controls apple scab (Venturia inaequalis) during pre-bloom, pink bud, and petal fall growth stages.
- Paddy: Effectively manages sheath blight (Rhizoctonia solani) when applied during early boot and flowering stages.
- Chilli: Controls anthracnose fruit rot and dieback (Colletotrichum capsici) to protect pod quality.
- Vegetables and oilseeds: Curbs purple blotch in onion, early blight in tomato, and Cercospora leaf spot in groundnut.
Application Guidelines and Safety Protocols
Applying fungicides at approved developmental stages maximizes disease suppression while curbing resistance.
Safe handling and spraying guidelines:
- Label dosage adherence: Always follow manufacturer-approved label doses and use adequate clean water for uniform foliage coverage.
- Resistance management: Alternate difenoconazole with fungicides having different modes of action (such as copper or strobilurin chemistries).
- Safety gear: Wear chemical-resistant gloves, protective eye goggles, and a face mask during chemical mixing and spraying.
- Harvest intervals: Observe specified pre-harvest intervals (PHI) to ensure marketable produce remains free of unacceptable chemical residues.
Official source
Check the latest rules, benefits and forms here. KisanPe is an independent platform and is not a government website.
Directorate of Plant Protection, Quarantine & Storage ↗Related on KisanPe
Common questions
What is the active chemical ingredient in Score fungicide?
Score contains Difenoconazole 25% EC, a broad-spectrum systemic triazole fungicide.
How does difenoconazole control fungal plant diseases?
It stops the biosynthesis of ergosterol in fungal cell membranes, stopping pathogen growth and spore formation.
What major diseases does Score fungicide control in crops?
It controls apple scab, sheath blight in rice, anthracnose and dieback in chilli, and purple blotch in onions.
General guidance, not personal advice. For your farm, ask your local Krishi Vigyan Kendra or agriculture officer.
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