Antracol Fungicide (Propineb 70% WP): Complete Guide to Uses, Dosage & Price
Antracol is like a Swiss Army knife for your crop's defence — except instead of a tiny pair of scissors that nobody uses, it comes loaded with zinc. Most farmers know Antracol as a contact fungicide. Far fewer know it's also quietly correcting the zinc deficiency in their soil at the same time. That dual benefit is the most under-appreciated thing about this product, and we'll get into exactly why it matters.
Antracol (Propineb 70% WP) is manufactured by Bayer CropScience and has been used across Indian farms for over three decades. Here's everything you need to know to use it well.
What is Antracol Fungicide?
Antracol is a broad-spectrum contact fungicide with the active ingredient Propineb 70% WP (Propylene bis-dithiocarbamate). It belongs to the dithiocarbamate chemical class — the same family as Mancozeb — but with one critical difference: Propineb contains zinc (Zn) as part of its molecular structure.
This means every time you spray Antracol for fungal disease, you're also delivering micronutrient zinc directly to the leaf surface. In zinc-deficient soils — which covers a large portion of India's agricultural land — this is a meaningful secondary benefit that improves chlorophyll synthesis, plant immunity, and grain quality.
How Does Antracol Work? (Mode of Action)
Antracol is a multi-site contact fungicide. Unlike systemic fungicides that work on a single biochemical pathway, Propineb interferes with the fungal pathogen at multiple points simultaneously:
- Disrupts the fungal respiration chain
- Interferes with carbohydrate and protein metabolism
- Damages cell membranes
This multi-site activity is the key reason why resistance to Antracol is extremely rare. A fungal population would need to mutate at multiple metabolic sites simultaneously to develop resistance — statistically almost impossible.
Being a contact fungicide, Antracol sits on the leaf surface and kills spores on contact. It does not move inside the plant. This means: coverage matters. Poor spray coverage = poor disease control. Ensure you're using 150–200 litres of water per acre.
Diseases Antracol Controls
| Disease | Crop(s) |
|---|---|
| Early blight | Tomato, potato |
| Late blight | Tomato, potato |
| Brown leaf spot | Rice (paddy) |
| Narrow leaf spot | Rice (paddy) |
| Downy mildew | Grapes, cucurbits, onion |
| Anthracnose / die-back | Chilli, mango, pomegranate |
| Scab | Apple, pear |
| Alternaria leaf spot | Cotton, tomato, potato |
| Leaf & fruit spot | Pomegranate, citrus |
| Buckeye rot | Tomato |
For tomato and potato farmers, Antracol is a must-have for the blight season. Early and late blight together can destroy 60–80% of an unprotected tomato crop in a wet season. Antracol applied at the right time creates a protective barrier that prevents the disease from establishing.
Which Crops Is Antracol Registered For?
Antracol has label recommendations for a wide range of crops in India:
- Vegetables: Tomato, potato, chilli, brinjal, cucurbits
- Fruits: Grapes, apple, mango, pomegranate, citrus
- Cereals: Rice (paddy)
- Cash crops: Cotton
Antracol Fungicide Dosage Chart
| Crop | Disease | Dose | Water Volume |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tomato / Potato | Early & late blight | 2–2.5 g/L | 150–200 L/acre |
| Rice (paddy) | Brown / narrow leaf spot | 300–400 g/acre | 150–200 L/acre |
| Grapes | Downy mildew | 2 g/L | As needed for canopy |
| Chilli | Anthracnose, die-back | 2–2.5 g/L | 150 L/acre |
| Apple | Scab | 2 g/L | As needed |
| Cotton | Alternaria leaf spot | 2.5 g/L | 150–200 L/acre |
| General foliar | Broad-spectrum | 30–40 g per 15 L knapsack | — |
Application Tips: How to Get the Most from Antracol
Antracol is a protectant fungicide — it protects healthy tissue, it does not cure infected tissue. This is the single most important thing to understand about using it correctly.
- Start before disease appears. If you're in a high-risk season (monsoon, humid conditions), begin preventive sprays. Once 30% of leaves are infected, Antracol cannot reverse the damage.
- Spray interval: 10–14 days. The protective film on the leaf surface degrades over time. Reapply before the previous coat wears off, especially in rain-heavy periods.
- Spray in early morning or evening. Avoid midday application — heat reduces efficacy and increases the risk of leaf burn on sensitive crops.
- Spray after rain, not before. If heavy rain is forecast within 4 hours, wait. Antracol has good rainfastness after drying (~2 hours), but wash-off before that reduces protection.
- Rotate with systemic fungicides. Use Antracol as your base preventive spray and rotate with a systemic (like Roko or Nativo) when disease pressure increases. This preserves the multi-site resistance advantage.
Antracol vs Mancozeb: Which Should You Choose?
Both are dithiocarbamate-class contact fungicides with multi-site action. The honest comparison:
- Antracol (Propineb): Contains zinc — better choice for zinc-deficient soils, or where you want the secondary crop health benefit. Slightly gentler on certain crops.
- Mancozeb: Contains manganese and zinc — similar multi-site protection, slightly broader crop registration, and generally less expensive per kg.
In practice: both work. If your soil is known to be zinc-deficient, Antracol gives you extra value. If cost per acre is the primary concern, Mancozeb is the more economical option. Rotating between the two over seasons is smart agronomy.
Antracol Fungicide Price in India (2026)
- 250 g pack: ₹360–₹430
- 500 g pack: ₹700–₹800
- 1 kg pack: ₹1,350–₹1,500
For a typical acre of tomato, one spray costs approximately ₹350–₹500 (300–400 g at 2–2.5 g/L). Given that uncontrolled early blight can cut tomato yield by 40%, the return on investment is substantial.
You can buy Antracol fungicide on Farmkart at competitive prices with cash on delivery available across India.
Frequently Asked Questions about Antracol
Q: Can I mix Antracol with other pesticides?
A: Yes, Antracol is compatible with most insecticides and other fungicides. Avoid mixing with strongly alkaline products (pH > 8). Always do a small jar test before bulk mixing.
Q: Does Antracol work against powdery mildew?
A: Antracol has limited efficacy against powdery mildew. For powdery mildew, use a systemic fungicide like Roko (Thiophanate Methyl) or Sulphur-based products instead.
Q: What is the pre-harvest interval for Antracol?
A: 7 days for most vegetable crops. Always check the label for your specific crop.
Q: How many times can I spray Antracol per season?
A: Up to 3–4 times per season, at 10–14 day intervals. Rotate with a systemic fungicide from a different chemical group between Antracol sprays.
Q: Is Antracol safe for beneficial insects?
A: Antracol has low toxicity to bees and beneficial insects when used as directed. It's classified as suitable for Integrated Pest Management (IPM) programs.
