Mode of action

Historically, pesticides have often been classified according to their chemical groups and this is useful for understanding the properties of a given compound. However, it is the Mode of Action (MoA) group which possibly represents the most useful pesticide classification for biologists. For example, MoA at the top of entries in the Pesticide Manual may be something like: 'FRAC G1', 'IRAC 2A' or HRAC G' - what do these mean? From a pesticide industry point of view, one of the most important threats to product sustainability and innovation is the onset of resistance. Research-based companies collaborate (under the auspices of CropLife International) in order to develop better understanding of MoA mechanisms and thus create a "common good" by mitigating the onset of resistance.

Currently, there are four specialist committees:

• Fungicide Resistance Action Committee (FRAC)
• Insecticide Resistance Action Committee (IRAC)
• Herbicide Resistance Action Committee (HRAC)
• Rodenticide Resistance Action Committee (RRAC)

Understanding pesticide MoA is important for:

• Resistance management
• Describing the symptoms and physiology of the method by which a substance is effective, thus …
• Determining its likely effects (and often speed of action) on the target pest.
• Providing a convenient classification of pesticides for biologists

See also

Mechanism of action in Pharmaceuticals

This Pesticides stub has been reproduced from the IPARC MoA page with permission from the author.