The Fungicide Resistance Action Committee (FRAC) assigns classifications to fungicides based on FRAC Group codes.  When FMC released Fracture fungicide in 2015 the mode of action was so unique FRAC had no group in which to place it.  Now the broad spectrum, biological fungicide formulated with ProBLAD technology has been placed in a newly created category.  Groups are created based on active ingredients as well as modes and site of action to prolong the effectiveness of at-risk fungicides and limits crop losses in case of resistance.  The codes were designed to help growers chose products to rotate to help minimize decease resistance in addition to maintaining disease control.

The Committee recently added the new FRAC Group M12 for Fracture fungicide and its active ingredient, the lupine extract called BLAD. Like other M group classifications, Fracture fungicide has “multi-site contact activity” and is considered a low risk for development of resistance, according to the FRAC publication.

Fracture fungicide provides decisive, multi-site control in a way no other fungicide can claim. It works on contact by binding to the fungal cell and deforming the chitin, disrupting nutrient absorption and inhibiting fungal cell production. This action tears a hole in the cell wall and ultimately destroys the fungal cell. Within eight hours, the fungal cell is dead.

“The assigning of Fracture fungicide to the new FRAC Group M12 demonstrates its value as a powerful resistance management tool. In the FRAC system, ‘M’ group fungicides are considered the best for fighting resistance due to the fact that they attack multiple sites within the fungus,” said David Davies, FMC Agricultural Solutions North America segment manager. “By offering an entirely new mode of action that complements synthetic fungicides, Fracture® fungicide expands growers’ options and will help extend the lifespan of other chemistries.”

Fracture fungicide is designed to prevent and control powdery mildew, botrytis and brown rot blossom blight.  Its patent allows it to be used on almonds, grapes, strawberries and tomatoes with a one-day pre-harvest interval and four-hour re-entry interval.  Fracture can be applied as many as five times during a growing season, offering quick, reliable disease control.  Ecotoxicology studies show Fracture fungicide is nontoxic to adult bees, bee larvae, beneficial parasitic wasps and predatory mites.