China has a total of 38 granular pesticide products for wheat fields, involving 12 active ingredients.

Pesticide granules are a widely used solid formulation both domestically and internationally, primarily employed to control soil-borne diseases and subterranean pests. A small proportion of these products are also utilized to manage above-ground pests and diseases, weeds, or stored-grain pests, among other harmful organisms.

As of the end of August 2024, there are a total of 38 granular pesticide products effectively registered for wheat in China (including one slow-release granule), of which 36 are insecticides and 2 are fungicides; 33 are single‑ingredient formulations, and 5 are binary mixtures. A brief analysis of their registration status is presented below, along with policy recommendations to address existing issues.

Active ingredient

A total of 12 active ingredients are involved, including 9 insecticides and 3 fungicides.

1. Insecticides: Among the 36 products, 32 are single‑ingredient formulations and 4 are binary mixtures, involving a total of 9 active ingredients. Specifically, thiamethoxam accounts for 10 products, clothianidin and phoxim each for 7, imidacloprid for 5, diazinon for 4, chlorpyrifos for 3, lambda‑cyhalothrin for 2, and bifenthrin and chlorantraniliprole each for 1.

(1) Single‑dose products: thiamethoxam, 10; clothianidin and phoxim, 6 each; diazinon and imidacloprid, 4 each; chlorpyrifos, 2.

(2) Compound formulations: one each of chlorpyrifos–phoxim, bifenthrin–thiamethoxam, chlorantraniliprole–cyfluthrin, and cyfluthrin–imidacloprid.

2. Fungicides: Among the two products, one is a single‑ingredient formulation and the other is a binary combination, involving a total of three active ingredients. The single‑ingredient product contains tebuconazole, while the combination product contains oxymethyl‑mandipropamid and difenoconazole.

Target of control and prevention

A total of eight target pests and diseases are covered, including six insect pests and two plant diseases.

1. Insecticides: a total of 6 types (Note: grubs, wireworms, and mole crickets are all underground pests; this analysis is based solely on registered product information). Specifically, there are 18 products targeting grubs, 10 for aphids, 4 for sap-sucking insects, 3 for underground pests, and 2 each for wireworms and mole crickets.

2. Fungicides: a total of 2 types, with one for damping-off and one for powdery mildew.

Product toxicity

A total of two toxicity categories are involved: 27 products are classified as slightly toxic, and 11 as minimally toxic; no products fall into the moderate‑toxicity, highly toxic, or extremely toxic categories. (Previously registered granular formulations of phorate and methyl isofenphos for use in wheat fields have been completely banned effective September 1, 2024.)

1. Insecticides: A total of 2 toxicity categories, with 27 classified as slightly toxic and 9 as very slightly toxic.

2. Fungicides: A total of one toxicant; both products are classified as slightly toxic.

Regional Distribution of Registration Certificate Holders

All are registered domestic enterprises, spanning eight provinces: Henan Province with 20, Shandong Province with 7, Hebei Province and the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region each with 3, Sichuan Province with 2, and Jiangsu Province, Yunnan Province, and the Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region each with 1.

1. Pesticides: A total of 8 provinces are involved, with 20 in Henan Province, 6 in Shandong Province, 3 in the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, 2 each in Hebei Province and Sichuan Province, and 1 each in Jiangsu Province, Yunnan Province, and the Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region.

2. Fungicides: A total of two provinces are involved, with one each in Shandong Province and Hebei Province.

Existing Problems and Recommendations for Countermeasures

1. Existing issues: (1) In accordance with the spirit of the “Letter from the Pesticide Management Division of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs Soliciting Opinions on Measures for the Management of Granular Pesticide Products” (No. 99 [2023] of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs), granular pesticide products currently registered in China for controlling above-ground pests and diseases such as wheat aphids and powdery mildew are expected to be subject to time‑limited registration amendments or cancellations. (2) There is currently no registered granular formulation that simultaneously controls both underground pests and soilborne diseases of wheat. (3) No granular product has yet been registered for the control of nematode‑borne diseases in wheat. (4) Chlorpyrifos, diazinon, and certain neonicotinoid insecticides pose significant environmental risks.

2. Policy Recommendations: (1) Holders of registration certificates for granular formulations currently registered for the control of above‑ground pests and diseases such as wheat aphids and powdery mildew should promptly amend their registrations in accordance with the requirements of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs to avoid cancellation and subsequent losses. (2) Initiate, at an appropriate time, the research, development, and registration of compound insecticide–fungicide granular products specifically formulated for wheat fields. (3) Expand the use of highly effective, low‑risk nematicide granular products—such as thiazophos and abamectin—to wheat, or register a flupyradifen granular formulation for wheat fields. (4) Closely monitor domestic and international regulatory developments regarding chlorpyrifos, diazinon, and neonicotinoid insecticides, and, when appropriate, commence the screening and registration of alternative products.

Source: WeChat Official Account: Agrochemical Patent Services