Fungicides prevent and cure diseases which can have adverse effects on crop yields and quality. The main markets are fruit and vegetables, cereals and rice Plant diseases are caused by a great variety of pathogens. 

Herbicides prevent or eliminate weeds and thus replace or reduce manual and mechanical weeding. As weeds compete with crops for sunlight, water and soil nutrients, herbicides can also prevent soil erosion and water loss.

Insects like caterpillars and aphids can significantly reduce crop yields and quality through their feeding. Insecticides help minimize this damage by controlling insect pests.