Propiconazole vs Azoxystrobin Fungicides (Differences & Similarities)

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Written By: Mark Marino, a Massachusetts Core Applicator License holder
and owner/operator of Lawn Phix,

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propiconazole vs

Both Propiconazole and Azoxystrobin are effective fungicides for treating a wide range of fungal diseases, but which one is best for your lawn problem? In most cases, the answer is probably both! Each of these fungicides can treat many of the same lawn diseases as well as a few different ones that they’re particularly effective for treating. The problem is that using the same fungicide each year can lead to disease resistance. By alternating fungicide treatments, you can prevent the brown patch or leaf spots from becoming resistant to either fungicide application. Learn about these differing fungicides here so you can determine which is best for your lawn and why switching them up from time to time can prevent fungicide resistance.

Azoxystrobin and Propiconazole

Both Azoxystrobin and Propiconazole are helpful fungicides for treating fungal disease of lawns and various plants, but how are they different, and which one should you choose? Let’s examine each of these fungicides and their active ingredients in detail:

Azoxystrobin

Azoxystrobin is a broad-spectrum fungicide that can cure and prevent fungal lawn diseases. Unlike many other lawn fungicides, Propiconaloze also shares this preventative ability too. Azoxystrobin is FDA approved and is a strobilurin fungicide (sometimes referred to as Qoi fungicides), which means that it contains natural ingredients that disrupt the respiratory system of fungal cells present in various fungal diseases. Specifically, Azoxystrobin works by preventing mitochondrial respiration of the cells of fungal diseases. Because their metabolic processes are disturbed, the cells can’t convert food to energy. The cell can’t grow or germinate. This stops the disease from multiplying and, ultimately, starves it. 

Propiconazole

Propiconazole is also a broad spectrum fungicide. It can be used to kill many types of fungal diseases that affect turf grasses, trees, and shrubs. Propiconazole works by targeting the cell walls of disease cells, which renders them unable to grow and multiply. The result is that the disease can’t spread and dies. Both Propiconazole and Azoxystrobin are systemic fungicides. They don’t kill the disease outright all at once, but their action leads to the death of the disease. 

Propiconazole is one of various DMI fungicides, also known as a triazole fungicide. This means the active ingredient in the fungicide binds to a certain enzyme in the disease, inhibiting it from completing its processes. 

What Types of Disease Does Azoxystrobin Treat?

Landscaping companies and home gardeners use Azoxystrobin to treat:

Owing to its effective action, this fungicide is popularly used in the U.S. to treat fungal infections in crops and to protect crops from developing the infections in the first place. 

What Diseases Does Propiconazole Treat?

Gardeners can use Propiconazole to treat fungal diseases that include:

  • Gray leaf spot and other leaf spot diseases
  • Powdery mildew
  • Summer patch
  • Dollar spot
  • Antracnose leaf
  • Zoysia patch
  • Snowmolds
  • Brown patch and others

Like Azoxystrobin, Propiconzaole can also treat infections that affect trees and shrubs as well as turf grasses.

Fungicide Rotation

If you’re worried about disease control for your lawn–if the grass blades are suffering from brown patch, for example, or dollar spot, you could select either strobilurin fungicides like Azoxystrobin or DMI fungicides like Propiconazole. These two fungicides are known for their efficacy in treating important diseases that can kill lawns or cause severe damage to plants. Both are effective lawn treatment solutions for disease control.

However, when you choose one, be sure that you switch to another in time. Fungicide rotation is important for preventing diseases like dollar spot or rust from developing fungicide resistance. Regardless of the fungicide application you use first, remember to alternate and use different fungicide applications in the future. The best way to prevent diseases like unsightly dollar spot from coming back stronger in future growing seasons is with fungicide rotation. 

Azoxystrobin and Propiconazole Fungicide Applications FAQs

How do the active ingredients in these fungicides stop fungus diseases from spreading?

Both of these fungicides target various cellular processes that prevent the disease from spreading and, ultimately, surviving. While they have different modes of preventing fungal cells from growing, they both prevent and cure fungal diseases.

How should I use these fungicides to kill turf diseases?

It’s always best to read each fungicide product label to find information about application rates. For curing diseases, two applications may be necessary. When used as a disease control preventative, one application may suffice.

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Author's Note: this piece has been updated for accuracy since its first publication on

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Author: Mark Marino
My name is Mark Marino, and I am the founder, owner, and operator of Lawn Phix. With a passion for lawn care and turf nutrition for over a decade, I've dedicated countless hours to correcting soil and perfecting lawns. Today, my expertise, backed by formal courses at UMass Extension Pesticide Education, allows me to offer top-tier lawn care services and advice. I am a fully licensed and insured lawn care applicator in Massachusetts, specializing in comprehensive turf nutrition, weed control, and lawn pest control. My license number is AL-0053865. Contact me at [email protected] or +1 (508) 500-8402.

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