Agrochemicals can be categorized based on two primary dimensions-their intended function (purpose of control) and their origin-addressing diverse needs across sectors such as agricultural production and public health.
Categorization by Intended Function (Purpose of Control)
This is the most common method for classifying agrochemicals, as it directly corresponds to specific control objectives:
Insecticides: Used to control various agricultural and public health pests. Subcategories include carbamates, organophosphates, and pyrethroids. They eliminate target organisms-such as aphids, borers, mosquitoes, and flies-through mechanisms including stomach poisoning, contact action, fumigation, or systemic absorption.
Fungicides:Designed to prevent and control fungal and bacterial diseases in crops. This category includes classes such as triazoles and strobilurins. They are further classified as protectants, curatives, or eradicants, and are used to manage common issues like sheath blight in rice or powdery mildew in fruit trees.
Herbicides: Used to eliminate weeds in fields. These are categorized into contact-type and systemic (translocated) herbicides. They effectively control broadleaf weeds and grasses in various crop fields, significantly reducing the labor costs associated with manual weeding.
Other Specialized Categories:This group includes rodenticides, nematicides, and molluscicides, as well as plant growth regulators (PGRs). These products address specific needs such as rodent control, the management of root-knot nematodes, and the enhancement of crop stress resistance and yield.
