What type of pests do fungicides specifically control?

Fungicides are specifically designed to target fungi, which are organisms that can cause a variety of diseases in plants, such as root rot, blight, and mildew. These diseases can significantly affect the health of crops and reduce yields. By using fungicides, applicators can effectively manage fungal infections, protecting plants from the detrimental impacts of these pathogens. Fungicides work by inhibiting the growth and reproduction of fungi, thereby helping to maintain healthy crops and ensuring optimal agricultural productivity.

While other pest control products target insects or weeds, fungicides do not have any efficacy against those groups. Insecticides are meant to manage insect pests, while herbicides are used to control weeds. Bactericides would be the products used to deal with bacterial infections in plants, but they do not have the same purpose or mechanism as fungicides. Therefore, the correct identification of fungicides as specifically controlling fungi is fundamental for effective pest management in agriculture.