In turf disease management, how do protectant fungicides differ from curative fungicides and where is each typically used?

• A. Protectants are applied before infection; curatives are used after infection to reduce disease
• B. Protectants are soil drenches; curatives are foliar sprays
• C. Protectants are used after infection; curatives prevent infection
• D. They are the same in function

Answer: (B)

Protectant fungicides are used to prevent infection and are often applied as soil drenches, which allow the chemical to move into the root zone and provide protection as new growth emerges. Curative fungicides are applied after infection to slow or stop disease progression, and they are typically delivered as foliar sprays directly on infected above‑ground tissue. The main idea is that protectants guard against infection via soil uptake, while curatives act after symptoms appear on the foliage. That’s why describing protectants as soil drenches and curatives as foliar sprays best aligns with how these products are commonly used in turf disease management. The other options mix up timing or application method or claim they are the same, which doesn’t fit the practical use in the field.