Stakeholder knowledge regarding fungicide resistance in agriculture and its relationship with fungicide resistance in human pathogens

The role of agricultural fungicide use has been established in fungicide resistance occurrence in plant pathogens and is now implicated in the development of fungicide resistance in human fungal pathogens. An online survey was conducted primarily in Kentucky to assess grain crop farmers’ understanding of fungicide resistance development and their awareness of how human fungal pathogens may be impacted by agricultural fungicide use. Survey participants were also asked why they use fungicides, even in the absence of a disease threat. The majority of survey respondents indicated their awareness of fungicide resistance in agricultural crops, but less than 50% of respondents demonstrated knowledge of fungicide resistance development in human fungal pathogens. Most respondents indicated that they use fungicides primarily for crop health benefits, even in the absence of a disease threat. These results highlight the need for educational programs that educate farmers about judicious fungicide use and the role of fungicide use in fungicide resistance development in both plant and human pathogens.