Roko Fungicide: Complete Guide to Uses, Dosage & Price (2026)
If your crop had a security guard, Roko would be him — and unlike the watchman at the mandi gate, this one actually shows up when disease tries to sneak in. Roko fungicide is one of the most trusted systemic fungicides used by Indian farmers, and for good reason: it works before the problem starts, during the early stages, and even after the first signs appear. In this guide, we'll cover everything you need to know — uses, dosage by crop, price, and when to pick Roko over other fungicides.
What is Roko Fungicide?
Roko is a broad-spectrum systemic fungicide manufactured by Biostadt India Limited. Its active ingredient is Thiophanate Methyl 70% WP — a benzimidazole-group fungicide that has been the backbone of fungal disease management in India for decades.
What makes Roko stand out is its triple-action formula:
- Preventive: Applied before infection, it prevents fungal spores from establishing in plant tissue.
- Curative: Applied at early infection, it stops the disease from spreading.
- Systemic: Once absorbed, it moves inside the plant through xylem tissue — protecting parts you never even sprayed.
This combination is rare. Most contact fungicides sit on the leaf surface and wash off with rain. Roko goes inside.
How Does Roko Work? (Mode of Action)
Thiophanate Methyl belongs to the benzimidazole class. Inside the plant, it converts to Carbendazim (MBC) — the actual active molecule that disrupts fungal cell division by interfering with tubulin polymerisation. In simple terms: it stops the fungus from reproducing at the cellular level.
Here's the important insight most spraying guides skip: Roko is not a knockdown product. It will not wipe out a full-blown infection in 48 hours. Its power is in timing — spray it early (at first symptom or preventively) and it dramatically limits disease spread. Spray it after the crop is 40% infected? You've already lost that battle.
This is the single biggest mistake we see with Roko: farmers wait too long. Don't be that farmer.
Diseases Roko Controls
Roko is effective against a wide range of fungal diseases across multiple crops:
| Disease | Affected Crop(s) |
|---|---|
| Blast (neck and leaf) | Paddy |
| Sheath blight | Paddy |
| Powdery mildew | Wheat, tomato, grapes, cucurbits |
| Anthracnose | Chilli, mango, papaya |
| Cercospora leaf spot | Groundnut, tomato |
| Sclerotinia rot (stem rot) | Soybean, sunflower |
| Botrytis (grey mould) | Grapes, tomato, onion |
| Fusarium wilt / damping-off | Vegetables, nursery seedlings |
| Loose smut / bunt | Wheat (seed treatment) |
| Venturia scab | Apple |
One thing worth noting: Roko also has a documented phytotonic effect — it mildly stimulates plant growth by improving root development and chlorophyll synthesis. Farmers using it preventively often report slightly greener, more vigorous plants even when there's no disease pressure. Not the primary reason to use it, but a nice bonus.
Which Crops Can You Use Roko On?
Roko has a broad label covering most major Indian crops:
- Cereals: Paddy, wheat
- Vegetables: Tomato, chilli, potato, brinjal, bottle gourd, cucurbits
- Fruits: Mango, grapes, apple, papaya, banana
- Pulses & oilseeds: Pigeon pea, groundnut, soybean, sunflower
- Nurseries: Any seedling nursery (soil drench to prevent damping-off)
If you're growing paddy and wheat — the two largest crops in India by acreage — Roko should already be in your input store. Blast alone can cut paddy yield by 20–30% in a bad season.
Roko Fungicide Dosage Chart
The correct dose depends on crop, disease, and application method. Here's a quick reference:
| Crop | Disease | Dose | Method |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paddy | Blast, sheath blight | 200–300 g/acre in 150–200 L water | Foliar spray |
| Wheat | Powdery mildew, loose smut | 1 g/L water (foliar); 2–3 g/kg seed | Foliar / seed treatment |
| Tomato / Chilli | Anthracnose, leaf spot | 1 g/L water | Foliar spray |
| Grapes | Botrytis, powdery mildew | 1–1.5 g/L water | Foliar spray |
| Nursery seedlings | Damping-off, wilt | 2–4 g/L water | Soil drench |
| Seed treatment (general) | Seed-borne fungi | 2–3 g/kg seed | Dry seed treatment |
Pro tip: For foliar application, use a minimum of 150 litres of water per acre to ensure complete coverage. Under-diluting is the most common application error — it reduces surface coverage and increases the risk of phytotoxicity.
How to Apply Roko: Timing & Tips That Actually Matter
Good agronomy practice makes the difference between a ₹400 spray that works and a ₹400 spray that doesn't.
- Spray in early morning or late evening. Midday sun degrades the active ingredient faster and increases leaf burn risk on sensitive crops.
- Don't spray before rain. If rain is forecast within 4 hours, hold off — the product will wash off the leaf surface before absorption.
- Start at the preventive stage. For paddy blast in endemic areas, apply at tillering stage even if no disease is visible. Prevention costs ₹400/acre. Yield loss costs ₹8,000+/acre.
- Repeat at 10–14 day intervals if disease pressure is high. Roko is not a once-a-season product in severe disease conditions.
- Don't tank-mix with strongly alkaline products. High-pH solutions can degrade Thiophanate Methyl. Check compatibility before mixing with liquid fertilisers.
Roko vs Other Fungicides: When to Choose What
Farmers often ask: should I use Roko or Mancozeb? Roko or Nativo? Here's the honest answer:
- Roko vs Mancozeb: Use Roko when you need systemic protection (it moves inside the plant). Use Mancozeb as a broad protective cover spray — it's a multi-site contact fungicide with no resistance risk, and it works well in rotation with Roko.
- Roko vs Nativo (Tebuconazole + Trifloxystrobin): Nativo is a more powerful curative option for severe infections. Roko is better for preventive and early-stage management. If disease is already serious, Nativo first — then Roko in the next spray cycle.
- Resistance management: Don't use Roko (or any benzimidazole) for more than 2 consecutive sprays per season. Rotate with a different chemical group to prevent resistance build-up in the fungal population.
Roko Fungicide Price in India (2026)
Roko is widely available and competitively priced for what it delivers:
- 250 g pack: ₹329–₹380
- 500 g pack: ₹666–₹720
- 1 kg pack: ₹1,367–₹1,500
For a typical paddy field of 1 acre, one spray (200–300 g) costs roughly ₹270–₹400 — one of the more affordable systemic fungicide options on the market.
You can buy Roko fungicide on Farmkart at the best price with cash on delivery and fast delivery to your doorstep across India.
Frequently Asked Questions about Roko Fungicide
Q: Can I mix Roko with insecticides or micronutrients?
A: Generally yes for insecticides — Roko is compatible with most organophosphates and pyrethroids. For micronutrients, do a jar test first and avoid strongly alkaline mixes.
Q: What is the pre-harvest interval (PHI) for Roko?
A: 7–10 days for vegetables and fruit crops. Always check the label for your specific crop.
Q: Is Roko safe for bees?
A: Roko has low bee toxicity when used as directed. Avoid spraying on flowering crops during peak bee activity hours (8 AM–5 PM).
Q: How many sprays of Roko per season?
A: Maximum 2 consecutive sprays per season, then rotate to a different chemical group to prevent resistance.
Q: Can I use Roko for seed treatment in paddy?
A: Yes — at 2–3 g/kg of seed. This protects against seed-borne fungal pathogens and gives early seedling protection.
