Green fungicides just around the corner

28 May 1998

Green fungicides ‘just around the corner’

ENVIRONMENTALLY-FRIENDLY alternatives to fungicides could be on the horizon, thanks to research by the Scottish Agricultural College.

Scientists there have found that certain polymers which form a barrier on the surface of the leaf are effective against fungal diseases.

The biodegradable polymers were previously thought to be biologically inactive. They are currently used in agriculture and horticulture to reduce water loss from plants and improve the effectiveness of agrochemicals.

• Financial Times 28/05/98 page 15 (Technology Worth Watching)