What Is Azoxystrobin Fungicide?
Azoxystrobin is a systemic, broad-spectrum fungicide in the strobilurin chemical class, FRAC Group 11. It is valued for its ability to control a wide range of fungal diseases across more than 50 major crops, including cereals, rice, grapes, potatoes, tomatoes, and turf grass.
For procurement professionals, distributors, and agronomists sourcing crop protection inputs, azoxystrobin remains a core active ingredient in integrated disease management programs across North America, India, Europe, Latin America, and Southeast Asia. This guide focuses on Azoxystrobin from a B2B and manufacturing perspective, covering technical properties, formulation use cases, and sourcing considerations.
How Azoxystrobin Works: Mode of Action
The effectiveness of azoxystrobin lies in its targeted biochemical action within fungal cells. It inhibits mitochondrial respiration by blocking electron transfer in the cytochrome bc1 complex. This disruption prevents the production of ATP, which is essential for fungal growth and survival.
Without energy, fungal spores fail to germinate, and existing infections cannot expand. This makes azoxystrobin particularly effective when applied during the early stages of disease development or as a preventive measure before infection pressure increases.
Azoxystrobin Formulations
Azoxystrobin formulations are broad-spectrum, systemic fungicides commonly available as Suspension Concentrates (SC, e.g., 23%, 250 g/L), Water-dispersible Granules (WG/WDG, e.g., 50%), and Microemulsifiable Concentrates (ME/TL). They are used for foliar, soil, and seed treatment to manage fungi like mildew and blight, blended with other fungicides.
- Suspension Concentrate (SC): Common concentrations include 23% SC frequently used for foliar application.
- Water-Dispersible Granules (WG/WDG): Found in higher concentrations, like 50% WG or 500 g/kg, suitable for mixing with water.
- Microemulsifiable Concentrates (ME or TL): Specifically designed to form a stable emulsion upon dilution.
- Seed Treatment Formulation (FS): Used for protection during germination, such as Azoxystrobin 2.5% + Thiophanate methyl 11.25% + Thiamethoxam 25% FS.
| Product | Formulation Type | FRAC / IRAC Groups | Target Use Segment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Azoxystrobin Technical 98% | Technical Concentrate (TC) | Group 11 | Formulation development; SC, WP, WG and ST product manufacturing |
| Azoxystrobin 23% SC | Suspension Concentrate (SC) | Group 11 | Broad spectrum foliar disease control across cereals, vegetables, fruits and field crops |
| Azoxystrobin 11% + Tebuconazole 18.3% SC | Suspension Concentrate (SC) | Group 11 + Group 3 | Cereals, grapes and vegetables; dual mode of action for resistance management compliance |
| Azoxystrobin 12.5% + Tebuconazole 12.5% SC | Suspension Concentrate (SC) | Group 11 + Group 3 | Balanced load formulation for cereals, fruits, vegetables and oilseed crops across multiple geographies |
| Azoxystrobin 16.7% + Tricyclazole 33.3% SC | Suspension Concentrate (SC) | Group 11 + Group 29 | Rice blast and sheath blight management; suited to India and Southeast Asian rice markets |
| Azoxystrobin 4.8% + Chlorothalonil 40.0% SC | Suspension Concentrate (SC) | Group 11 + Group M5 | Vegetables and potatoes; systemic plus contact multi-site protection |
| Azoxystrobin 7.1% + Propiconazole 11.9% SE | Suspension Emulsion (SE) | Group 11 + Group 3 | Cereals and field crops; stable co-formulation |
| Azoxystrobin 2.5% + Thiophanate Methyl 11.25% + Thiamethoxam 25% FS | Flowable Concentrate for Seed Treatment (FS) | Group 11 + Group 1 + IRAC 4A | Seed treatment for fungal disease and early-season pest control |
Crop Applications and Commercial Use Cases
Azoxystrobin technical and its formulations cover a large number of registered crop segments globally. The summary below covers key crop categories, primary disease targets, and the most relevant formulation format for each segment.
Azoxystrobin is registered across more than 50 crop types in more than 100 countries. Disease targets span all four major fungal groups. Combination SC and SE formulations are preferred in regulated markets where solo Group 11 use is restricted by FRAC resistance management conditions.
Cereals - Wheat, Barley, Rice, Maize: Septoria leaf blotch, powdery mildew, rust diseases, rice blast, sheath blight, gray leaf spot. Recommended format: SC Combination
Fruits — Grapes, Apples, Pears, Strawberries: Powdery mildew, downy mildew, apple scab, anthracnose, Botrytis. Recommended format: SC Combination
Vegetables -Tomatoes, Potatoes, Cucurbits, Chilli: Early and late blight, downy mildew, anthracnose, Cercospora leaf spot, Pythium. Recommended format: SC Combination
Field and Oilseed Crops - Soybean, Canola, Sugarbeet, Cotton: Frogeye leaf spot, Cercospora leaf spot, white mould, Phytophthora stem rot. Recommended format: SC or SE
Plantation and Specialty - Coffee, Almonds, Pistachios, Garlic Coffee rust, shot hole, hull rot, Botrytis, sooty mould. Recommended format: SC Solo or SC Combination
Seed Treatment - Cereals, Soybean, Maize, Cotton: Pythium damping-off, Fusarium seed rot, Rhizoctonia, early-season sucking pests. Recommended format: FS Triple Active
| Crop Segment | Key Markets | Primary Disease Targets | Recommended Formulation Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wheat and Barley | US, EU, India, Australia | Septoria, rust, powdery mildew | Azoxystrobin + Difenoconazole SC or Azoxystrobin + Tebuconazole SC |
| Rice | India, Southeast Asia, China | Rice blast, sheath blight | Azoxystrobin + Tricyclazole SC |
| Grapes | India, US, EU, South Africa | Powdery mildew, downy mildew | Azoxystrobin + Tebuconazole SC |
| Tomatoes and Potatoes | India, Latin America, Southeast Asia | Early blight, late blight, Cercospora | Azoxystrobin + Chlorothalonil SC |
| Soybean and Field Crops | US, Brazil, India | Frogeye leaf spot, Cercospora, rust | Azoxystrobin 23% SC or Azoxystrobin + Propiconazole SE |
| Seed Treatment | India, US, Southeast Asia | Pythium, Fusarium, Rhizoctonia, sucking pests | Azoxystrobin + Thiophanate Methyl + Thiamethoxam FS |
Azoxystrobin Fungicide Benefits
Agrochemical Formulation Industry: In the formulation space, Azoxystrobin provides significant flexibility for product development. It supports multiple formulation types such as suspension concentrates and water-dispersible granules, allowing companies to tailor products for different markets. Its stable physicochemical profile reduces formulation challenges and ensures consistent performance across batches, which is critical for large-scale manufacturing operations.
Combination Fungicide Manufacturing: For companies developing combination products, Azoxystrobin offers strong compatibility with other active ingredients. It enables the creation of multi-mode-of-action formulations that improve disease control spectrum while supporting resistance management strategies. This makes it easier for formulators to design differentiated products that meet evolving agronomic and regulatory expectations.
Cereal Crop Protection Segment: In high-acreage crops like wheat and rice, Azoxystrobin-based formulations provide reliable and consistent disease control performance. This allows agrochemical companies to position their products as dependable solutions in large-volume markets where performance consistency and cost efficiency are essential.
Fruits and Vegetables Segment: In this segment, Azoxystrobin supports the development of premium fungicide products. Its performance contributes to improved crop quality and reduced disease impact, which is important for high-value and export-oriented crops. This allows companies to target segments where product differentiation and quality outcomes drive purchasing decisions.
Oilseeds and Pulses Industry: Azoxystrobin helps formulators expand their product portfolio into oilseed and pulse crops by offering effective disease control solutions. Its adaptability across different crop types enables companies to serve diverse agricultural markets without relying on multiple active ingredients.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What purity grade is azoxystrobin technical supplied at?
Azoxystrobin technical is supplied at a minimum purity of 98 percent active ingredient (w/w) as standard. Higher purity grades are available on request. Full Certificate of Analysis documentation is provided with each batch, including active ingredient assay by HPLC, water content, pH of a 1 percent aqueous suspension, and appearance. Impurity profile reports are available for registration dossier preparation.
- Is Azoxystrobin a systemic fungicide?
Yes, Azoxystrobin is a systemic fungicide with translaminar movement. In formulated products, it is absorbed by plant tissues and redistributed, allowing for extended protection beyond the point of application.
- Can Azoxystrobin be used in combination formulations?
Azoxystrobin is commonly used in combination with other fungicides such as triazoles and contact actives. This helps expand the disease control spectrum and supports resistance management strategies in fungicide programs.
- What should formulators consider when sourcing Azoxystrobin Technical?
Formulators should evaluate purity levels, impurity profile, batch consistency, regulatory documentation, and supplier reliability. These factors directly impact formulation stability, product performance, and ease of registration in target markets.
- What is Azoxystrobin fungicide used for?
Azoxystrobin is used as an active ingredient in fungicide formulations to control a wide range of fungal diseases such as mildew, rust, blight, and leaf spot across cereals, fruits, vegetables, and oilseed crops. It is primarily used by agrochemical companies to develop broad-spectrum crop protection products.