The best fungicide for apple scab is essential for protecting your apple trees from the damaging effects of this common fungal disease.

Apple scab, caused by the fungus Venturia inaequalis, is a prevalent disease affecting apple orchards worldwide. It manifests as dark, scabby lesions on leaves and fruit, leading to reduced yield and fruit quality.

Choosing the right fungicide involves understanding the specific needs of your apple trees, the severity of the infection, and the environmental conditions.

In this guide, we will review the top fungicides for controlling apple scab, offering practical advice on how to apply them effectively.

10 Best Fungicide For Apple Scab

1. Zylam Liquid Systemic Insecticide – Best Fungicide for Apple Scab Zylam

Zylam Liquid Systemic Insecticide is renowned for its efficacy against apple scab. Its active ingredient, dinotefuran, is a systemic insecticide that provides rapid uptake and knockdown of pests.

 

 

While primarily an insecticide, its systemic properties contribute to overall plant health, indirectly aiding in managing diseases like apple scab. The formulation allows for flexible application methods, including soil drench and trunk spray, ensuring thorough coverage.

Manufactured by PBI-Gordon Corporation, Zylam contains 10% dinotefuran, ensuring a potent concentration for effective pest control. The product is absorbed quickly, with studies showing uptake within 24 hours, leading to swift pest mortality. Its residual activity can last up to four weeks, providing extended protection.

Incorporating Zylam into an integrated pest management program can enhance the overall health of apple trees, making them more resilient against diseases like apple scab. However, it’s essential to note that while Zylam aids in maintaining plant health, it should be used in conjunction with fungicides specifically targeting apple scab for optimal disease control.

Pros:

• Rapid uptake
• Flexible application
• Extended residual activity
• High potency
• Enhances plant health
• Systemic action
• Versatile use

Cons:

• Primarily an insecticide
• Not a standalone solution
• Requires combination with fungicides

2. Rally 40WSP Fungicide – Best Fungicide for Powdery Mildew on Apple Scab

Rally 40WSP Fungicide is a highly effective solution for managing powdery mildew and apple scab in apple orchards. Its active ingredient, myclobutanil, is a systemic fungicide that inhibits ergosterol biosynthesis, essential for fungal cell membrane development. This action effectively controls both powdery mildew and apple scab, ensuring healthy foliage and fruit.

 

Manufactured by Dow AgroSciences, Rally 40WSP contains 40% myclobutanil, providing a robust formulation for disease control.

The product is designed for foliar application, with recommended rates varying based on disease pressure and tree size. Its systemic properties allow for translocation within the plant, offering protection to new growth.

Regular applications of Rally 40WSP, as part of a comprehensive disease management program, can significantly reduce the incidence of powdery mildew and apple scab. It’s advisable to rotate fungicides with different modes of action to prevent the development of resistant fungal strains.

Pros:

• Systemic action
• Effective against multiple diseases
• Protects new growth
• High active ingredient concentration
• Easy foliar application
• Prevents disease spread
• Suitable for various tree sizes

Cons:

• Risk of resistance
• Requires rotation with other fungicides
• Potential phytotoxicity if misapplied

3. Eagle 20EW Specialty Fungicide – Best Systemic Fungicide for Apple Scabs

Eagle 20EW Specialty Fungicide is a systemic solution specifically designed to combat apple scab. Its active ingredient, myclobutanil, penetrates plant tissues to provide curative and preventive control of apple scab.

 

The fungicide inhibits sterol biosynthesis, disrupting fungal cell membrane formation and halting disease progression. Produced by Dow AgroSciences, Eagle 20EW contains 19.7% myclobutanil, ensuring a potent formulation for effective disease management.

The product is labeled for use on apples, with application rates depending on tree size and disease severity. Its systemic nature allows forthe  protection of both existing foliage and new growth.

Incorporating Eagle 20EW into a seasonal spray program can significantly reduce apple scab incidence. It’s essential to follow label instructions and consider integrating with other fungicides to manage resistance development.

Pros:

• Systemic protection
• Curative and preventive
• High efficacy
• Protects new growth
• Suitable for various application timings
• Easy to mix and apply
• Long residual activity

Cons:

• Potential resistance development
• Requires adherence to application intervals
• Not suitable for organic production

4. Sovran Fungicide – Best Fungicide for Apple Scab in California

Sovran Fungicide is particularly effective for managing apple scab in California’s diverse climates. Its active ingredient, kresoxim-methyl, belongs to the strobilurin class of fungicides, offering broad-spectrum disease control.

 

Sovran inhibits mitochondrial respiration in fungi, effectively controlling apple scab and other foliar diseases. Its mode of action disrupts energy production in the pathogen, preventing spore germination and fungal growth.

Manufactured by BASF, Sovran contains 50% kresoxim-methyl, ensuring high potency against apple scab. The product is designed for foliar application, with recommended rates based on disease severity and environmental conditions. Its residual activity provides prolonged protection, making it an excellent option for integrated disease management programs.

Regular use of Sovran, combined with cultural practices such as pruning and sanitation, can significantly reduce apple scab occurrence. To prevent resistance development, it should be rotated with fungicides from different chemical classes.

Pros:

• Broad-spectrum control
• Long residual activity
• Effective in diverse climates
• Prevents spore germination
• Suitable for integrated programs
• Systemic and protective action
• Easy foliar application

Cons:

• Resistance risk with overuse
• Requires rotation with other fungicides
• Not suitable for organic production

5. Flint Fungicide – Best Fungicide for Preventive Apple Scab Control

Flint Fungicide is a powerful preventive solution against apple scab. Its active ingredient, trifloxystrobin, belongs to the strobilurin class, offering effective control by inhibiting fungal respiration. Flint works by preventing spore germination, ensuring that apple scab does not establish itself in orchards.

 

Developed by Bayer CropScience, Flint contains 50% trifloxystrobin, delivering high efficacy in controlling apple scab. The product is applied as a foliar spray, providing long-lasting protection. It is best used preventively before infection occurs, reducing the risk of disease spread.

Flint is an excellent addition to a rotational fungicide program, enhancing overall orchard health. To prevent resistance, it should be alternated with fungicides that have different modes of action.

Pros:

• Prevents fungal establishment
• Long-lasting protection
• Highly effective active ingredient
• Easy to apply
• Compatible with integrated management programs
• Safe for beneficial insects
• Good rainfastness

Cons:

• Requires preventive application
• Resistance risk with overuse
• Limited curative properties

6. Captan 50WP Fungicide – Best Multi-Site Fungicide for Apple Scab

Captan 50WP Fungicide is a widely used multi-site fungicide that provides excellent control of apple scab. Its active ingredient, captan, disrupts multiple fungal processes, reducing the likelihood of resistance development. Captan is effective as both a preventive and curative treatment, making it a valuable tool in disease management programs.

 

Manufactured by Arysta LifeScience, Captan 50WP contains 50% captan, offering strong disease suppression. The product is applied as a foliar spray, ensuring comprehensive coverage of leaves and fruit. Its multi-site activity makes it an essential component of resistance management strategies.

Captan 50WP is commonly used in combination with systemic fungicides to enhance overall efficacy. Regular applications help maintain orchard health and fruit quality.

Pros:

• Multi-site action prevents resistance
• Effective as preventive and curative
• Broad-spectrum disease control
• Enhances fruit quality
• Compatible with many fungicides
• Rainfast once dried
• Cost-effective solution

Cons:

• Requires multiple applications
• May cause phytotoxicity in sensitive varieties
• Can be hazardous if misapplied

7. Inspire Super Fungicide – Best Broad-Spectrum Fungicide for Apple Scab

Inspire Super Fungicide is a broad-spectrum solution that effectively manages apple scab. Its dual active ingredients, difenoconazole and cyprodinil, provide both preventive and curative action. The combination ensures enhanced efficacy against fungal diseases, including apple scab, powdery mildew, and rust.

 

Developed by Syngenta, Inspire Super contains 20% difenoconazole and 30% cyprodinil, delivering robust protection. The product is applied as a foliar spray, with systemic movement ensuring protection of new growth. Its dual action makes it a reliable choice for integrated disease management programs.

To optimize disease control, Inspire Super should be applied at critical growth stages and rotated with other fungicides to prevent resistance.

Pros:

• Dual active ingredients
• Preventive and curative action
• Systemic movement protects new growth
• Effective against multiple diseases
• Easy foliar application
• Enhances fruit quality
• Suitable for integrated programs

Cons:

• Requires rotation to prevent resistance
• May have application restrictions
• Potential phytotoxicity if overused

8. Pristine Fungicide – Best Premium Fungicide for Apple Scab

Pristine Fungicide is a premium option for apple scab control, combining two active ingredients: boscalid and pyraclostrobin. This combination provides exceptional efficacy against apple scab and other fungal diseases. The fungicide works by inhibiting multiple fungal pathways, ensuring comprehensive protection.

 

Manufactured by BASF, Pristine contains 25.2% boscalid and 12.8% pyraclostrobin. The product is designed for foliar application, offering long residual activity. Its dual mode of action enhances disease control and supports overall plant health.

Pristine is ideal for growers looking for a high-performance solution. Regular use, combined with resistance management practices, can maximize its effectiveness.

Pros:

• Dual active ingredients
• Broad-spectrum disease control
• Long residual activity
• Supports plant health
• Reduces stress on trees
• Easy application
• High efficacy

Cons:

• Premium price
• Requires resistance management
• Not suitable for organic farming

9. Luna Sensation Fungicide – Best Fungicide for Apple Scab in Wet Conditions

Luna Sensation Fungicide is an excellent choice for apple scab control, particularly in wet conditions. It combines fluopyram and trifloxystrobin, providing both systemic and protective action. This dual mode of action ensures reliable disease suppression even in humid environments.

 

Manufactured by Bayer CropScience, Luna Sensation contains 25% fluopyram and 25% trifloxystrobin. The fungicide is applied as a foliar spray, offering long-lasting protection against apple scab. Its strong rainfastness makes it ideal for orchards exposed to frequent rainfall.

Luna Sensation is a top-tier fungicide for maintaining healthy apple orchards. Its use in rotational programs enhances disease management effectiveness.

Pros:

• Effective in wet conditions
• Dual active ingredients
• Systemic and protective action
• Long-lasting protection
• Rainfast once dried
• Enhances tree health
• Compatible with rotation programs

Cons:

• Higher cost
• Requires careful application timing
• Resistance risk if overused