Which kind of pesticide would be misapplied if used solely for suppressing disease?

Fungicides are specifically designed to target fungal organisms that can cause diseases in plants, making them the appropriate choice for suppressing plant diseases. Using a fungicide solely for this purpose aligns with its intended function. However, if a pesticide designed for a different purpose, such as insecticides, herbicides, or rodenticides, is applied in an attempt to control disease, it would be a misapplication.

Insecticides are formulated to manage insect pests, which may not have any effect on fungal pathogens; therefore, relying on them for disease control would be ineffective. Herbicides target unwanted plants, but they do not influence the diseases caused by fungi. Similarly, rodenticides are geared towards controlling rodent populations, completely diverging from the spectrum of plant disease management. These distinctions highlight the importance of using the correct type of pesticide according to its specific function and target organism.