Method for combating fungi and mites using certain triorganotin compounds

Sterically-hindered triorganotin compounds of the general formula +TR effectively combat fungi and mites when applied to objects, particularly plants, that are susceptible to attack by these organisms. The present compounds are particularly advantageous in that they are considerably less phytotoxic than homologous triorganotin compounds wherein the hydrocarbon radicals contain between 4 and 6 carbon atoms (e.g. n-butyl and n-hexyl radicals). In the foregoing formulae X is selected from the group consisting of a chlorine, bromine, fluorine, hydroxyl, cyanide, carbamate, thiocarbamate, amide (NH2), amino (NR21 or NR1H), nitrate, enolate, carboxylate phenoxy, alkoxy (-OR1) and mercaptide (-SR1) radical wherein R1 represents an alkyl or aryl radical containing between 1 and 12 carbon atoms, inclusive, Y is an oxygen, sulfur, or a sulfate radical and n is an integer between 0 and 4, inclusive.