Chapter 19 - Environmental impacts of synthetic and biofungicides

Abstract

Protection of crop from fungal infestation is a major global concern in agriculture. There are several synthetic fungicides available on the market which are effective against a wide spectrum of fungal species. However, the existing fungicides show toxicity against nontarget organisms including human beings causing numerous health hazards. It is important to generate awareness among people coming in direct contact with these chemicals occupationally to prevent fungicide-induced diseases in the communities. Exposure to fungicides during their application in crop fields through spraying devices, the residues of these hazardous chemicals enter the body through nasal and dermal routes. However, environmental impact and risk associated with the use of fungicides as an agrochemical has received little attention across the globe. The ecotoxicological aspect of several widely used fungicides has not been investigated in terms of their adverse health impact on living beings and ecological functioning. Accumulation of these diverse fungicides in environmental compartment like air, water, and soil can pose threat to the communities. In this chapter, we discuss the diverse classes of fungicides and their effects on nontarget living being in various ecosystems. Attempts have also been made to elaborated the bio-fungicides based of phytochemicals and their advantages over synthetic fungicides.