Carbendazim is a fungicide, a member benzimidazole fungicides. It is a metabolite of benomyl.[2]
The fungicide is used to control plant diseases in cereals and fruits, including citrus, bananas, strawberries, macadamia nuts, pineapples, and pomes.[3] A 4.7% solution of carbendazim hydrochloride, sold as Eertavas, is marketed as a treatment for Dutch elm disease.[4]
Other uses
It is also employed as a casting worm control agent in amenity turf situations such as golf greens, tennis courts etc. and in some countries is licensed for that use only.[5]
Safety, regulation, controversy
High doses of carbendazim destroy the testicles of laboratory animals.[6][7]
Maximum pesticide residue limits (MRLs) for fresh produce in the EU are between 0.1 and 0.7 mg/kg with the exception of loquat fruits, which is set at 2 mg/kg.[8] The limits for more commonly consumed citrus and pome fruits are between 0.1 and 0.2 mg/kg.
Use of this fungicide on macadamia plantations has proven controversial in Queensland.[4]
References
- ^ Merck Index, 11th Edition, 1794.
- ^ Dreikorn, Barry A.; Owen, W. John (2000). "Fungicides, Agricultural". Kirk-Othmer Encyclopedia of Chemical Technology. doi:10.1002/0471238961.0621140704180509.a01. ISBN 978-0-471-48494-3.
- ^ Wight, Andrew (14 January 2009). "Two-headed fish mystery deepens". Stock & Land. Archived from the original on 19 October 2009.
- ^ a b Marissa Calligeros (2009-02-02). "Fungicide maker in birth defect storm". Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 2010-03-21.
- ^ "Getting the best worm control".
- ^ Aire, TA (August 2005). "Short-term effects of carbendazim on the gross and microscopic features of the testes of Japanese quails (Coturnix coturnix japonica)". Anatomy and Embryology. 210 (1): 43–9. doi:10.1007/s00429-005-0001-0. PMID 16034611. S2CID 8526462.
- ^ "Carbendazim use banned on fruit crops". ABC. 5 February 2010.
- ^ "EU Pesticides Database". Retrieved 24 February 2012.
External links
Media related to Carbendazim at Wikimedia Commons
- International Chemical Safety Card
- Carbendazim in the Pesticide Properties DataBase (PPDB)