Most fungicides are ___________.

• A. Eradicants
• B. Protectants
• C. Available only as granules
• D. Both protectants and eradicants

Answer: (B)

Fungicides are categorized by how they interact with disease. The most common type is protectants, which are applied to plant surfaces to prevent fungal spores from germinating or from infecting tissue. This preventive approach works well because stopping infection before it starts is generally more reliable than trying to eradicate disease once it’s established inside the plant. There are eradicants that kill pathogens after infection and some products with systemic or curative action, but those are less common. Fungicides come in various forms, including sprays and granules, but the key point is that protection on the surface is the dominant mode of action.