Kasugamycin is an antibiotic used in agriculture to control both bacterial and certain fungal diseases in crops such as rice, fruits, and vegetables. It is effective against rice blast caused by the fungus Magnaporthe grisea and bacterial leaf blight in rice caused by Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae. It is also applied to control fire blight in apple and pear trees caused by the bacterium Erwinia amylovora. Kasugamycin acts by inhibiting protein synthesis, demonstrating strong activity against gram-negative bacteria and select fungi. It is preferred in some integrated pest management programs due to its low toxicity to beneficial organisms and minimal environmental persistence.