Carbendazim

Carbendazim is a fungicide, a member benzimidazole fungicides. It is a metabolite of benomyl.

The fungicide is used to control plant diseases in cereals and fruits, including citrus, bananas, strawberries, macadamia nuts, pineapples, and pomes. A 4.7% solution of carbendazim hydrochloride, sold as Eertavas, is marketed as a treatment for Dutch elm disease.

Other uses
It is also employed as a casting worm control agent in amenity turf situations such as golf greens, tennis courts etc. and in some countries is licensed for that use only.

Safety, regulation, controversy
High doses of carbendazim cause infertility and destroy the testicles of laboratory animals.

Maximum pesticide residue limits (MRLs) for fresh produce in the EU are between 0.1 and 0.7 mg/kg with the exception of loquat, which is 2 mg/kg. The limits for more commonly consumed citrus and pome fruits are between 0.1 and 0.2 mg/kg.

Its use on macadamia plantations has proven controversial in Queensland.