How do boronic acids and their derivatives function as fungicides in agriculture?

Boronic acids and their derivatives have been shown to inhibit the growth of various plant pathogens by targeting key enzymes involved in fungal metabolism and disrupting cell wall integrity.

From: "Potential of Boronic Acid Derivatization and Activity in Agrochemical Discovery", Molecules 2025, 30(14), 3018;

Boronic acids and their derivatives function as fungicides by inhibiting key fungal metabolic enzymes such as LeuRS, disrupting cell membrane integrity, and affecting redox balance. For example, Tavaborole, a benzoxaborole derivative, inhibits fungal leucyl-tRNA synthetase (LeuRS), blocking protein synthesis and halting fungal growth. Other derivatives like phenylboronic acid can disrupt cell membrane integrity and interfere with amino acid metabolism, leading to fungal cell death.