EN
The reevaluation and probable cancellation of many pesticides, due to Food Quality Protection Act (FQPA), strongly enhance the value of research and development of new biocompatible chemicals. Among the environmently low-risk chemicals are bicarbonate salts which already have GRAS status. Bicarbonates, technically hydrogen carbonate salts: sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO₃), potassium bicarbonate (KHCO₃) and ammonium bicarbonate (NH₄HCO₃) have a wide range of antimicrobial activity. Their effectiveness to control foliar, soil and postharvest plant diseases has been demonstrated. Bibliographical review presents: - general background of historical and present research using bicarbonates for crop protection against fungal pathogens, - chemical characteristics of bicarbonates and their major uses in households and industiy, evidences for and hypotheses of mode of action of bicarbonates and their efficacy in inhibiting fungal growth, - information about current bicarbonate fungicides commercially available and new ones which are in the EPA registration process. Tables showing ornamental and garden applications as well as diseases controlled by the fungicide Remedy are presented.