Hey farm gals, it’s Kara from Lange Girl Farms!
The alpacas were out early this morning, methodically working the brushy edges of the pasture like they always do, while the big horses moved slowly through the grass with their steady presence. I spent a while hand-weeding around the herbs and torching a few young weeds along the fence before they could get established. The Siberian huskies had their own space to run, the llamas kept their quiet lookout, and the chickens and ducks were happily occupied in their secure run. These peaceful, chemical-free starts to the day are what make the extra work feel right — no hidden residues, no drift worries, just the land and animals doing what they’re meant to do.
In Part 1 we looked at fluxapyroxad’s detection in conventional strawberries (including Driscoll’s) and its use on many other crops. Now in Part 2 we’re going full nerd on what fluxapyroxad actually is, how it works as an SDHI fungicide, why it’s so commonly applied to strawberries and other high-value fruits, and how it fits into the broader picture of the chemicals we’ve covered. This is the foundation so you understand exactly why we refuse it entirely on our regenerative homestead.
What Is Fluxapyroxad?
Fluxapyroxad is a succinate dehydrogenase inhibitor (SDHI) fungicide developed by BASF. It belongs to a relatively new class of fungicides that target fungal respiration. It is used on a wide range of crops, including strawberries, other berries, grapes, tree fruits, potatoes, cereals, and vegetables. It is often applied as a foliar spray or seed treatment and is valued for its preventive and curative activity against many important fungal pathogens.
In conventional strawberry production, it helps control diseases like gray mold, anthracnose, and powdery mildew, which are major challenges in humid growing conditions and during long-distance shipping.
How It Works: Inhibiting Fungal Cellular Respiration
Fluxapyroxad targets the succinate dehydrogenase (SDH) enzyme complex in the mitochondrial respiratory chain of fungi:
1. Normal respiration: SDH is part of Complex II in the electron transport chain. It converts succinate to fumarate while transferring electrons, helping generate energy (ATP) for the fungus.
2. Inhibition: Fluxapyroxad binds to the SDH complex, blocking electron transfer. This disrupts the fungus’s ability to produce energy.
3. Cellular consequences: The fungus experiences energy starvation, accumulation of toxic intermediates, and oxidative stress. Growth stops, and the fungal cells eventually die.
4. Broad activity: It is effective against many Ascomycetes and Basidiomycetes, making it useful for a wide range of crop diseases.
Because it is systemic to some degree, it can move within the plant, providing protection to new growth. However, its single-site mode of action means fungi can develop resistance relatively quickly with repeated use — a problem increasingly seen in berry production.
How Fluxapyroxad Compares to the Other Chemicals We’ve Covered
• Glyphosate: Systemic herbicide targeting plant amino acid synthesis.
• Paraquat: Contact herbicide causing explosive ROS production.
• Atrazine: Photosynthesis inhibitor, persistent in water.
• 2,4-D / Dicamba: Synthetic auxins causing uncontrolled plant growth.
• Neonicotinoids: Systemic insecticides targeting insect nervous systems.
• Organophosphates: Nerve agents inhibiting acetylcholinesterase.
• Fludioxonil: Phenylpyrrole fungicide disrupting fungal osmoregulation.
• Fluxapyroxad: SDHI fungicide disrupting fungal mitochondrial respiration.
The big similarity with many of the others is its use on conventional high-value crops like strawberries and the resulting residues in food. The difference is its specific targeting of fungal energy production, making it a go-to for mold-prone berries.
Why “Convenient” Fungicide Use Doesn’t Fit Regenerative Homesteads
Big ag relies on fluxapyroxad (and similar SDHI fungicides) to protect strawberries and other berries from disease during long-distance shipping and storage. On our homestead we refuse it entirely. We grow our own berries when possible, source from trusted local regenerative farms, or preserve what we harvest. We hand-weed, torch weeds, plant cover crops, and support beneficial fungi and bacteria in the soil because those methods build true balance instead of relying on synthetic fungicides that can leave residues and contribute to resistance.
Our alpacas and big horses graze clean pasture we’ve built without these chemicals. Our huskies, llamas, chickens, and ducks live without the added burden. The pattern is the same across every series: a chemical is introduced for convenience, resistance or new problems develop, and regenerative farms are left protecting their clean systems.
Series Roadmap – What’s Coming Next
Part 3: The devastating toll on humans (cancer and developmental links), livestock, wildlife, and waterways.
Part 4: On our plates – residues in strawberries, berries, and other foods, plus the cumulative load.
Part 5: Follow the money – manufacturers, the Driscoll’s licensing model, and regulatory status.
Part 6: The roots – discovery and development as an SDHI fungicide.
Part 7: Reclaiming our land – our exact holistic methods (hand-weeding, torch burning, mulch, cover crops, livestock grazing with our alpacas and big horses), Michigan-specific tips, and how we grow or source clean berries without these fungicides.
Pin this post and the series. Drop a comment: Have you stopped buying conventional strawberries or berries after seeing reports like this? Are you growing your own or sourcing from trusted farms? I read every comment.
If you want to support a farm refusing these chemicals entirely, swing by the shop for our wildcrafted salves (great after hand-weeding or torch work), herbal teas grown right here without sprays, or non-GMO seeds for your own regenerative garden. Every purchase helps us keep protecting our land and animals.
We can protect our kids, our animals, and our future—one holistic choice at a time.
See you in Part 3, farm gals!
With love from the pasture,
Kara
Lange Girl Farms
