Table 1: A comparison between selected active ingredients found in the Organic Materials Review Institute (ORMI) under disease management.

Active Ingredient^Z

Mode of Action^Y

Specificity^X

Residual^W

Comments

Inorganic

     chemicals

Multiple.

Wide range of pathogens affected, particularly bacteria.

Residual activity good compared to other compounds allowed in organic production.

Examples include copper and sulfur products.

Peroxide

Multiple.

(Oxidation)

Wide range.

None or little.

OMRI-listed only for post harvest use or as algaecide.  ^V. 

Microbial

Competition

Usually wide range.

Varies per product. Best results can be expected with repeated applications prior to disease development.

Microbial products may not perform well if combined with general biocides like copper.

Toxin production against pathogen.

Depends on product.

Parasitic on pathogen.

Very specific for particular diseases.

Bicarbonate

Multiple.

(Cell disruption)

Wide range.

Little or none.

Potassium bicarbonate is the most common form of this fungicide.

Plant extracts

Depends on extract.

Varies per extract-usually broad range.

Varies per extract.

An example would be neem extract.