By the HMNDP Editorial Team, independent reporting on lawn care, landscaping, and the green industry.
Last reviewed: June 2026
What propiconazole fungicide is and how it works
Propiconazole fungicide is a systemic triazole (DMI) active ingredient that moves inside the plant and stops fungal growth by blocking ergosterol, a building block of fungal cell membranes. It is sold most often as a 14.3% liquid concentrate, controls a broad range of turf, ornamental, and tree diseases, and works both preventively and curatively. It is classified as FRAC Group 3.
Because it is xylem-mobile (translocated upward in the plant’s water-conducting tissue), a treated blade or leaf keeps protecting new growth for two to four weeks. That systemic behavior separates it from contact products like a copper fungicide, which only guards the surface it lands on.
Propiconazole belongs to the demethylation-inhibitor (DMI) class, the same chemistry family as tebuconazole and myclobutanil. It is one of the most widely used systemic fungicides in turf management.
What diseases propiconazole controls
Propiconazole controls a broad spectrum of fungal diseases on cool-season and warm-season turf, ornamentals, and trees. On turf, its core targets are brown patch, dollar spot, anthracnose, and rusts. On trees and ornamentals it is labeled for anthracnose, powdery mildew, leaf spots, and (by injection) oak wilt and Dutch elm disease suppression.
| Setting | Common diseases controlled |
|---|---|
| Cool-season turf (bluegrass, fescue, bentgrass) | Dollar spot, brown patch, anthracnose, rust, red thread, summer patch |
| Warm-season turf (Bermuda, zoysia, St. Augustine) | Brown patch/large patch, dollar spot, leaf spot, gray leaf spot |
| Ornamentals | Powdery mildew, rust, anthracnose, leaf spots, scab |
| Trees (injection) | Oak wilt suppression, Dutch elm disease suppression, anthracnose |
Always confirm a disease is on the specific product’s label before you spray. A guide to picking the right chemistry is in our overview of fungicide for plants.
Propiconazole 14.3 mix ratio and application rates
The most common formulation is propiconazole 14.3% (about 1.3 lb active per gallon). Typical turf rates run 1 to 2 fl oz per 1,000 sq ft, but the exact ounces per gallon depend on your sprayer’s water volume, not a fixed dilution. Read the label rate per 1,000 sq ft, then match it to how much water you apply over that area.
| Use | Typical rate (propiconazole 14.3%) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Turf, preventive | 1 fl oz per 1,000 sq ft | 14 to 21 day interval |
| Turf, curative / high pressure | 2 fl oz per 1,000 sq ft | 14 day interval, active disease |
| Ornamentals (foliar) | Per label, often 4 to 8 fl oz per 100 gal | Spray to wet, not runoff |
| Tree micro-injection | Dose by trunk diameter (DBH) per label | Injection formulations differ from turf 14.3% |
A practical turf mix: if you spray 1 gallon of finished solution over 1,000 sq ft, put 1 to 2 fl oz of product in that gallon. If you spray 2 gallons over 1,000 sq ft, split the same 1 to 2 fl oz across both gallons. The rate is per area, not per gallon.
Do not use the turf 14.3% concentrate for trunk injection. Injection uses dedicated formulations dosed by trunk diameter (DBH). Mixing the wrong product for the wrong route is a label violation and can injure the tree.
Brand names: is propiconazole the same as Banner Maxx?
Propiconazole is the active ingredient; Banner Maxx is one branded product that contains it. Many generic equivalents exist, most sold as propiconazole 14.3% liquid concentrate. The active molecule is identical across them, so buyers usually pick on price, formulation quality, and label breadth rather than the name.
| Product | Type | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Banner Maxx / Banner Maxx II (Syngenta) | Brand, turf/ornamental | The reference brand, premium priced |
| Quali-Pro Propiconazole 14.3 | Generic equivalent | Common value pick, same 14.3% AI |
| Propiconazole 14.3% (various) | Generic equivalent | Widely stocked, lowest cost |
| Alamo, PropiZol (injection lines) | Tree injection | Dosed by DBH, not turf rates |
The value case is straightforward: a generic 14.3% product delivers the same active ingredient at a lower cost per acre than Banner Maxx, which is why commercial applicators watching input costs often rotate to generics.
Systemic, preventive, and curative behavior
Propiconazole is systemic, not contact, and it works both preventively and curatively. Applied before symptoms, it protects new growth as the fungicide moves upward in the plant. Applied after early symptoms appear, it can stop active infections. It has weak downward (basipetal) movement, so it mainly protects the tissue above the treated point.
For preventive programs, start applications when conditions favor disease (warm, humid nights for brown patch) rather than waiting for damage. Curative use is possible but less reliable once disease is widespread, so early timing matters.
FRAC Group 3 and resistance management
Propiconazole is FRAC Group 3, a DMI triazole. Group 3 has a medium risk of resistance, so repeated solo use lets tolerant fungal strains build up, especially in dollar spot. The core rule that seller pages almost never state: rotate to a fungicide with a different FRAC number and limit total Group 3 applications per season.
- Do not make more than two consecutive propiconazole (Group 3) applications before switching modes of action.
- Rotate with a different FRAC group, for example a Group 7 (SDHI), Group 11 (strobilurin), or a multi-site contact like a Group M product.
- Tank-mixing a multi-site partner can slow resistance and broaden control.
- Follow the label’s seasonal maximum for total product and total active ingredient per area.
Resistance to dollar spot from over-reliance on DMIs is well documented in golf turf, which is why rotation is treated as standard practice rather than optional.
Safety, re-entry interval, and pollinator/aquatic risk
Propiconazole carries a caution-level signal word on most labels, but it still demands PPE, a re-entry interval, and buffer from water. The typical restricted-entry interval (REI) is 12 hours for treated turf and ornamentals. It is considered highly toxic to fish and aquatic invertebrates, so keep it out of ponds, streams, and storm drains.
- People: Wear long sleeves, gloves, and eye protection when mixing and applying. Follow the label REI (commonly 12 hours) before re-entry without PPE.
- Pets: Keep pets off treated turf until the spray has fully dried; then normal use is generally acceptable per label. Confirm on your specific product.
- Bees: Fungicides are lower risk to bees than insecticides, but avoid spraying blooming plants during active foraging and read any pollinator language on the label.
- Aquatic: High fish toxicity means no application near water and no rinsate near drains.
None of this replaces the product label, which is the legal document and always governs rate, REI, and site restrictions in your state.
Is propiconazole banned or being phased out?
Propiconazole remains registered and legal in the United States and is widely sold, but the European Union did not renew its approval, and the EU phase-out took effect around 2019 to 2020. That regulatory split is why most seller pages frame it as a current product while omitting that a major market has moved away from it. Always check your own state and country rules.
In the US, the EPA continues to review triazole fungicides periodically, so labels and allowed uses can change. Applicators tracking these shifts can follow green-industry regulatory reporting in our news section. Treat any regulatory statement here as general information, not legal advice; requirements may vary by state.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is propiconazole fungicide and how does it work?
Propiconazole fungicide is a systemic triazole (DMI) active ingredient that moves inside the plant through its water-conducting tissue and blocks ergosterol production, which fungi need to build cell membranes. This stops fungal growth. Sold mostly as a 14.3% liquid concentrate, it protects new growth for two to four weeks and works both preventively and curatively across turf, ornamentals, and trees.
What diseases does propiconazole control?
Propiconazole controls a broad spectrum of turf and plant diseases, including brown patch, dollar spot, anthracnose, rust, red thread, summer patch, powdery mildew, and various leaf spots. On trees, injection formulations are used to suppress oak wilt and Dutch elm disease. Control is broad but not universal, so always confirm the specific disease appears on your product’s label before applying.
What is the mix ratio for propiconazole 14.3 per gallon?
Propiconazole 14.3% is dosed by area, not per gallon. Typical turf rates are 1 fl oz per 1,000 sq ft preventively and 2 fl oz per 1,000 sq ft curatively. If you apply 1 gallon of finished solution over 1,000 sq ft, put that 1 to 2 fl oz in the gallon. Adjust for your sprayer’s actual water volume per area.
What are the brand names for propiconazole (is it the same as Banner Maxx)?
Banner Maxx and Banner Maxx II (Syngenta) are branded propiconazole products, but the active ingredient is the same in many generics such as Quali-Pro Propiconazole 14.3 and other propiconazole 14.3% concentrates. Tree-injection lines like Alamo and PropiZol also use propiconazole. Because the molecule is identical, buyers usually choose on price, label breadth, and formulation rather than brand.
Is propiconazole systemic or contact, and is it preventive or curative?
Propiconazole is systemic, not contact. It moves upward in the plant and protects new growth for roughly two to four weeks. It works both preventively, applied before symptoms when conditions favor disease, and curatively, applied at early symptoms to stop active infections. Preventive timing is more reliable, so start programs before disease becomes widespread rather than waiting for visible damage.
Is propiconazole safe for pets, bees, and people, and what is the re-entry interval?
Propiconazole is generally caution-level for people when label PPE is used, with a re-entry interval commonly set at 12 hours. Keep pets off treated turf until spray dries. Fungicides pose lower bee risk than insecticides, but avoid spraying blooms during foraging. It is highly toxic to fish, so keep it away from ponds, streams, and drains. Always follow your product label.
What FRAC group is propiconazole and how do I avoid resistance?
Propiconazole is FRAC Group 3, a DMI triazole with medium resistance risk. To avoid resistance, do not make more than two consecutive Group 3 applications, then rotate to a different FRAC group such as Group 7, Group 11, or a multi-site Group M product. Tank-mixing a multi-site partner and following the label’s seasonal maximum both help preserve effectiveness, especially against dollar spot.
Is propiconazole banned or being phased out, and where is it still legal?
Propiconazole remains registered and legal in the United States and is widely sold. The European Union did not renew its approval, with the phase-out taking effect around 2019 to 2020, so it is no longer approved there. That regulatory split explains why US seller pages present it as current while a major market has moved away. Always verify your own state and country rules before buying.