Fluopyram in agricultural ecosystems: environmental fate, microbial transformation, ecotoxicity, and resistance risks of an SDHI fungicide

Fluopyram is a next-generation succinate dehydrogenase inhibitor (SDHI) fungicide, which is very popular in the management of economically significant fungal conditions in cereals, fruits, vegetables, and ornamental crops. It works by inhibiting the complex II present in the mitochondria by blocking succinate dehydrogenase, which electron transport and energy generation, eventually hindering fungal development leading to death of the pathogen. Besides having good fungicidal effects, fluopyram has also demonstrated a nematicidal effect, which has also enhanced its utility in various agricultural systems. Empirical studies indicate that SDHIs can induce mortality, mitochondrial dysfunction, oxidative stress, and developmental delays in non-target organisms. Additionally, the environmental persistence of these compounds raises concerns about their potential for ecological disruption. The extensive and growing use of SDHIs however has also given rise to the issue of resistance development with recorded resistance cases in a number of fungal populations and has placed a strong demand on the need to use crop rotation strategies, combination formulations and resistance monitoring initiatives. In addition to its agronomic advantages, the environmental fate of fluopyram such as its mobility, persistence and degradation characteristics in soil and water and the possibility of food system residues have been the subject of attention. Unlike previous studies focusing on isolated aspects, this review comprehensively links efficacy, environmental dynamics, and mechanistic toxicity of fluopyram across multiple biological systems. It highlights underexplored areas including metabolite toxicity, chronic ecological exposure, and resistance risks. This integrated approach offers valuable insights for safer pesticide management and future research directions.