The invention discloses the inhibitory activity of polycarboxylic acid compounds on phytopathogenic fungi and oomycete appresses and their application in the prevention and treatment of plant diseases; the polycarboxylic acid compounds are selected from compounds of formula I, their isomers, hydrated food or salt. The polycarboxylic acid compound involved in the present invention can significantly inhibit the formation of appresses of fungi and oomycetes, and can be used for the prevention of various plant diseases such as rice blast, anthracnose, gray mold, downy mildew, phytophthora, powdery mildew, etc. , no obvious harm, good safety. Compared with the existing compounds for preventing and controlling plant diseases such as rice blast, anthracnose, gray mold, downy mildew, phytophthora, and powdery mildew, the polycarboxylic acid compound of the present invention has good preventive effect, environmental protection, and nontoxicity. , low residue, safety features. Because these compounds are known and widely used compounds, and the environmental toxicology and impact research is thorough, therefore, they have the advantages of convenience, easy availability, environmental protection and safety.