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Agriculture’s Hidden Heroes: How is Azox Steben changing the game in crop protection?
Azoxystrobin is a widely used systemic fungicide that has established an important position in the agricultural community. Since it was first launched in 1996 under the brand name "Amistar", this product has quickly gained favor among farmers around the world and was registered in 48 countries in 1999 and is suitable for more than 50 crops.
The commercialization of Azoxstebin began with a series of chemical experiments until finally this potent and stable compound was selected for commercialization and quickly became one of the most popular fungicides on the market.
The history of azoxtebin dates back to 1977, when a German academic research team first discovered two new antifungal antibiotics from the matrix fungus Strobilurus tenacellus and named them exorsomycin A and B. These findings have aroused great interest among chemists, especially since these compounds were found to have novel mechanisms of action. Following the synthesis and testing of a large number of structural analogs, Azoxstebin was finally successfully commercialized in 1996.
Synthesis and mechanism of action of Azoxstebin
The synthesis of Azoxstebin was a milestone in the world of chemistry. Initial synthetic steps and the discovery of multiple structural variations allowed it to remain stable and potent in diverse environments. It mainly works by inhibiting mitochondrial respiration and preventing electron transfer. The name of this mechanism is "quinone external inhibitor" (QoI).
The main function of this drug is to prevent the production of ATP by binding to the quinone outer binding site of the cytochrome b-c1 complex, thereby effectively controlling various fungal infections.
Applications in agriculture
Azox Stebin has systemic movement and penetrating properties that allow it to move through plant tissue, protecting areas not directly exposed to the spray. It has a broad-spectrum inhibitory effect on a variety of fungi, especially important crop diseases such as leaf spot, rust and powdery mildew. Globally, Azox Stebin has been approved for use in wheat, soybeans, potatoes and other crops, and has become a powerful tool for farmers to increase production.
Since its introduction in 1997, the use of Azox Steben has continued to rise, reaching 2.3 million pounds (approximately 1 million kilograms) in 2019, according to the U.S. Geological Survey.
Safety and environmental impact
Azoxstebin is less toxic to mammals but may cause skin and eye irritation. According to the World Health Organization, the acceptable daily intake of Azoxstebin is 0-0.2 mg/kg of body weight. Nonetheless, its high risk to aquatic life such as crustaceans requires careful handling during use and construction to avoid contamination of water bodies.
Resistance management
Over time, fungal populations may become resistant to Azoxstebin, so careful management strategies are needed to reduce the chance of resistance developing. Monitoring and reports from various sources indicate that mixing with other fungicides with different mechanisms of action can help reduce the risk of resistance development.
In the United States, Azoxstebin is often used in combination with other azoles fungicides on wheat crops to enhance its control effect.
Supply and Brand
Azox Steben is sold by multiple brands under different names, including Amistar, Heritage and Olympus, to suit different market needs. However, the labels of these products must clearly list the common names of the active ingredients to protect consumers’ right to know.
Azox Stebing's success lies not only in its protection of crops, but also in the critical role it plays in global agricultural ecosystems. However, with the widespread use, how to find a balance between obtaining the best yield and protecting the ecological environment will become a major challenge for future agricultural development?
