Hexaconazole 5% SC Fungicide Uses

Hexaconazole 5% SC is a systemic, broad-spectrum fungicide from the triazole chemical group, registered for use in India under the Insecticides Act, 1968, formulated as a suspension concentrate (SC). It is registered for the control of a wide range of fungal diseases — including sheath blight, powdery mildew, rust, leaf spot and scab — across cereal, fruit, vegetable and plantation crops. This page lists its mode of action, key benefits and the crop-wise recommended dosage as documented on manufacturer labels and cross-checked against the official TNAU Agritech portal.

Which Problem Is This For? (Symptom Guide)

Not sure whether what you're seeing in the field matches this fungicide's use case? This guide helps match symptoms to fungicides sold under brand names including Contaf Plus (Rallis/Tata) and Hexadhan Plus (Dhanuka).

Mode of Action

Hexaconazole belongs to the triazole group of fungicides, part of the wider demethylation-inhibitor (DMI) class. It is systemic and translocated acropetally (upward) within the plant through the xylem. It works by inhibiting the biosynthesis of ergosterol — an essential structural component of fungal cell membranes — specifically by blocking the C-14 demethylase enzyme in the ergosterol production pathway. Without adequate ergosterol, developing fungal cell membranes become structurally unstable and leaky, which halts fungal growth, sporulation and further disease spread. Because it moves systemically within the plant, hexaconazole offers both protective action, preventing new infection ahead of disease pressure, and curative (eradicant) action against early-stage infections already present in plant tissue, and continues protecting new growth that emerges after spraying.

Features & Benefits

• Broad-spectrum control of a wide range of fungal diseases — sheath blight, powdery mildew, rust, leaf spot and scab — across cereal, fruit, vegetable and plantation crops from a single fungicide.
• True systemic movement gives dual protective-plus-curative action, arresting early infections already present in the plant in addition to preventing new ones.
• Systemic uptake means the fungicide continues protecting new leaf growth that emerges after spraying, giving longer-lasting control than purely contact fungicides.
• Effective at a low use rate typical of triazole chemistry, and generally compatible for tank-mixing with many commonly used insecticides (always confirm with a jar test before mixing with an unfamiliar product).

Recommended Usage of Hexaconazole 5% SC Fungicide

The table below gives the recommended dose for each crop and disease, based on manufacturer label data for this exact 5% SC formulation, cross-checked against the official TNAU Agritech portal. Always spray in sufficient water volume for uniform coverage, and confirm against the current product label before use.

The rice, mango and grapes doses above are drawn directly from a major manufacturer's label for this exact Hexaconazole 5% SC formulation. The apple and groundnut figures come from the TNAU Agritech portal's general fungicide-recommendation data (originally listed for a 5% EC formulation of the same active ingredient at the same strength) and are presented with the flags noted above because the source figures were not fully consistent or clear. Always confirm the current dose on your specific product's label, and consult your local agricultural extension office if in doubt.

How to Use

1. Identify your crop and target disease from the table above, and confirm the correct dose/concentration — this product is commonly dosed by percentage concentration (ml per 100 litres of water) rather than a fixed per-acre quantity, so use enough spray solution to achieve thorough coverage of the crop canopy.
2. Since this is a suspension concentrate (SC), shake the container well before use, then add the measured dose directly to the spray tank with water and mix thoroughly — no separate paste-making step is needed as with wettable powders.
3. Spray at the first appearance of disease symptoms for best results, and ensure thorough coverage of the affected plant parts (leaf sheaths for sheath blight, flower panicles and young fruit for powdery mildew).
4. Use a knapsack or power sprayer fitted with a suitable nozzle for your crop, and spray during calm, dry weather — avoid spraying in windy conditions or when rain is expected within a few hours.
5. Repeat sprays at 10–15 day intervals if disease pressure continues, or as advised by local agricultural extension, and rotate with fungicides from a different mode-of-action group to manage the risk of resistance.

Precautions & Safety

• Wear appropriate PPE — mask/respirator, gloves, goggles and full-sleeved clothing — while mixing and spraying, and avoid inhaling spray mist.
• Resistance to triazole (DMI-class) fungicides, including hexaconazole, is a well-documented, real-world concern in several fungal pathogen groups worldwide because of their single-site mode of action; avoid repeated, back-to-back applications on the same crop/disease, and rotate or tank-mix with fungicides from a different resistance group as part of a resistance-management program.
• Follow the recommended dose and concentration strictly — both underdosing (poor disease control and greater risk of resistant pathogen populations developing) and overdosing reduce field performance and increase cost.
• Store in the original, tightly closed container in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight, food and feed, and out of reach of children and livestock.
• Wash hands, face and any exposed skin thoroughly with soap and water after handling or spraying, and change out of contaminated clothing before eating, drinking or smoking.

Brand names mentioned on this page are registered trademarks of their respective owners and are referenced here for identification purposes only; FarmMate is not affiliated with or endorsed by these brands. This page is for general information only — always consult your local agricultural extension office and confirm the current product label before use.