S-abscisic acid

S-abscisic acid	Last updated: 08/02/2026
(Also known as: VBC-30151; abscisin II; ABA; (+)-abscisic acid; S-ABA)

Hazard alerts

The following Pesticide Hazard Tricolour (PHT) alerts are based on the data in the tables below. An absence of an alert does not imply the substance has no implications for human health, biodiversity or the environment but just that we do not have the data to form a judgement. The alerts for Highly Hazardous Pesticides (HHPs) are based on applying the FAO/WHO (Type 1) and the PAN (Type II) criteria to PPDB data. Further details on the HHP indicators are given in the tables below. Neither the PHT nor the HHP hazard alerts take account of usage patterns or exposure, thus they do not represent risk.

PHT: Environmental fate	PHT: Ecotoxicity	PHT: Human health	Highly Hazardous Pesticide
Environmental fate High alert: Drainflow: Mobile	Ecotoxicity Low alert: Birds acute ecotoxicity: Low; Fish acute ecotoxicity: Low; Daphnia acute ecotoxicity: Low; Bees acute contact ecotoxicity: Low; Bees acute oral ecotoxicity: Low; Earthworms acute ecotoxicity: Low	Human health Low alert

GENERAL INFORMATION

Description

A substance used as a growth promoter to, for example, control greenhouse tomato seedlings and improve the colour development of grape.

Example pests controlled

Growth

Example applications

Various fruits; Greenhouse tomatoes; Grapes

Efficacy & activity

Appearance and life cycle

Taxonomic classification

GB regulatory status

GB COPR regulatory status

Not approved

Date COPR inclusion expires

Withdrawn

GB LERAP status

No UK approval for use as a plant protection agent

EC Regulation 1107/2009 (repealing 91/414)

EC Regulation 1107/2009 status

Approved

Dossier rapporteur/co-rapporteur

Netherlands

Date EC 1107/2009 inclusion expires

15/09/2026

EU Candidate for substitution (CfS)

Listed in EU database

Yes

Approved for use (✓) under EC 1107/2009 in the following EU Member States

ATAustria	BEBelgium	BGBulgaria	CYCyprus	CZCzech Republic	DEGermany	DKDenmark	EEEstonia	ELGreece
✓						✓		✓
ESSpain	FIFinland	FRFrance	HRCroatia	HUHungary	IEIreland	ITItaly	LTLithuania	LULuxembourg
✓						✓
LVLatvia	MTMalta	NLNetherlands	PLPoland	PTPortugal	RORomania	SESweden	SISlovenia	SKSlovakia

Approved for use (✓) under EC 1107/2009 by Mutual Recognition of Authorisation and/or national regulations in the following EEA countries

ISIceland	NONorway
	✓

Additional information

Also used in

Chemical structure

Isomerism

Abscisic acid is isomeric, existing as the cis- and trans forms. The cis-isomer (S-abscisic) demonstrates a greater biologically activity.

Chemical formula

C₁₅H₂₀O₄

Canonical SMILES

CC1=CC(=O)CC(C1(C=CC(=CC(=O)O)C)O)(C)C

Isomeric SMILES

CC1=CC(=O)CC([C@]1(/C=C/C(=C\C(=O)O)/C)O)(C)C

International Chemical Identifier key (InChIKey)

JLIDBLDQVAYHNE-YKALOCIXSA-N

International Chemical Identifier (InChI)

InChI=1S/C15H20O4/c1-10(7-13(17)18)5-6-15(19)11(2)8-12(16)9-14(15,3)4/h5-8,19H,9H2,1-4H3,(H,17,18)/b6-5+,10-7-/t15-/m1/s1

2D structure diagram/image available?

Yes

Cambridge Crystallographic Data Centre diagrams

Common Name	Relationship	Link
S-abscisic acid	Isomer

General status

Biopesticide type

Plant Growth Regulator

Substance groups

Plant hormone; Plant-derived substance

Minimum active substance purity

960 g kg⁻¹

Known relevant impurities

EU dossier - none declared

Substance origin

Natural

Mode of action

Thought to inhibit the guard cells uptake of potassium ions and has the ability to close down certain parts of plant metobolism.

Substance source

Natural compound found in plants with biosynthesis occurring mainly within leaves and produced in response to environmental stress

Uses

Used as a plant growth regulator

Target pests

Target host

Various fruits; Greenhouse tomatoes; Grapes

Farming system suitability

CAS RN

21293-29-8

EC number

CIPAC number

US EPA chemical code

272000

PubChem CID

Molecular mass

264.3

PIN (Preferred Identification Name)

IUPAC name

(2Z,4E)-5-((1S)-hydroxy-2,6,6-trimethyl-4-oxo-2-cyclohexen-1-yl)-3-methyl-2,4-pentadienoic acid

CAS name

(S)-5-(1-hydroxy-2,6,6-trimethyl-4-oxo-2-cyclohene-1-yl)-3-methyl-(2Z,4E)=pentadienoic acid

Global Governance status: Listed (✓) under

UK Poisons List Order 1972	Rotterdam Convention	Montreal Protocol
XNo The Poisons List Order 1972	XNo Rotterdam Convention	XNo Montreal Protocol
Stockholm Convention	OSPAR	EU Water Framework Directive
XNo Stockholm Convention	XNo OSPAR	XNo EU Water Framework Directive

Relevant Environmental Water Quality Standards

Forever chemical

Highly Hazardous Pesticide (HHP)

Type I

Type II

Other status information

Herbicide Resistance Class (HRAC MoA class)

Not applicable

Herbicide Resistance Class (WSSA MoA class)

Not applicable

Insecticide Resistance Class (IRAC MoA class)

Not applicable

Fungicide Resistance Class (FRAC MOA class)

Not applicable

Examples of recorded resistance

Physical state

White to yellow powdery solid

Commercial

Property

Value

Availability status

Current

Introduction & key dates

1963, first discovered; 2010, first registered USA

Example manufacturers & suppliers of products using this active now or historically

Valent Biosciences
Sumitomo Chemical Co.
BOC Sciences

Example products using this active

ProTone SL
Dormin
ConShape

Formulation and application details

Usually provided as a soluble liquid concentrate formulation.

Commercial production

S-abscisic acid is produced commercially through biotechnological processes. The primary method involves using microorganisms, such as certain fungi, that naturally produce the acid. These microorganisms are cultured in bioreactors under controlled conditions to maximise production. After fermentation, S-abscisic acid is extracted from the culture medium. This involves separating the microbial biomass from the liquid medium and purifying the S-abscisic acid using techniques like solvent extraction and chromatography. The purified acid is then formulated into commercial products.

Impact on climate of production and use

ENVIRONMENTAL FATE

Property

Value

Source; quality score; and other information

Interpretation

Solubility - In water at 20 °C at pH 7 (mg l⁻¹)

3192

High

Solubility - In organic solvents at 20 °C (mg l⁻¹)

506800

Methanol

290200

Acetone

92200

Ethyl acetate

265

Xylene

Melting point (°C)

154.5

Boiling point (°C)

Decomposes before boiling

Degradation point (°C)

154.5

Flashpoint (°C)

Octanol-water partition coefficient at pH 7, 20 °C

6.31 X 10⁰¹

Calculated

Log P

1.8

Low

Fat solubility of residues

Solubility

Data type

Density (g ml⁻¹)

Dissociation constant pKa) at 25 °C

4.61

Vapour pressure at 20 °C (mPa)

0.002

at 25 °C

Low volatility

Henry's law constant at 25 °C (Pa m³ mol⁻¹)

1.7 X 10^-07

Non-volatile

Volatilisation as max % of applied dose lost

From plant surface

From soil surface

Maximum UV-vis absorption L mol⁻¹ cm⁻¹

Max @ 253nm = 20800

Surface tension (mN m⁻¹)

57.5

Degradation

Property

Value

Source; quality score; and other information

Interpretation

General biodegradability

Soil degradation (days) (aerobic)

DT₅₀ (typical)

1.1

Non-persistent

DT₅₀ (lab at 20 °C)

1.1

Non-persistent

DT₅₀ (field)

DT₉₀ (lab at 20 °C)

3.7

Non-persistent

DT₉₀ (field)

DT₅₀ modelling endpoint

Note

EU dossier lab studies DT₅₀ range 0.66-2.1 days, DT₉₀ range 1.5-7.4 days, soils =4

Dissipation rate RL₅₀ (days) on plant matrix

Value

Note

Dissipation rate RL₅₀ (days) on and in plant matrix

Value

Note

Aqueous photolysis DT₅₀ (days) at pH 7

Value

Note

Aqueous hydrolysis DT₅₀ (days) at 20 °C and pH 7

Value

Stable

Note

EU dossier DT₅₀ = pH4=792 days at 25 °C

Water-sediment DT₅₀ (days)

Water phase only DT₅₀ (days)

3.3

Moderately fast

Sediment phase only DT₅₀ (days)

Air degradation

As this parameter is not normally measured directly, a surrogate measure is used: ‘Photochemical oxidative DT₅₀’. Where data is available, this can be found in the Fate Indices section below.

Decay in stored produce DT₅₀

Soil adsorption and mobility

Property

Value

Source; quality score; and other information

Interpretation

Linear

K_d (mL g⁻¹)

K_oc (mL g⁻¹)

Notes and range

Freundlich

K_f (mL g⁻¹)

0.884

Mobile

K_foc (mL g⁻¹)

27.6

¹/_n

1.04

Notes and range

EU dossier K_f range 0.04-3.31 mL g⁻¹, K_foc range 2.69-77.0 mL g⁻¹, ¹/_n range 0.56-1.38, soils=5

pH sensitivity

Known soil metabolites

Metabolite

Major/Minor fraction

$Click here for further information on Major/Minor fraction$

Estimated maximum occurrence fraction

Notes

8-hydroxy abscisic acid

phaseic acid

dihydrophaseic acid

Known groundwater metabolites

None

Other known metabolites

None

ECOTOXICOLOGY

Terrestrial ecotoxicology

Property

Value

Source; quality score; and other information

Interpretation

Mammals - Acute oral LD₅₀ (mg kg⁻¹)

> 5000

Rat

Low

Mammals - Short Term Oral NOAEL (mg kg⁻¹ bw d⁻¹)

Mammals - Long Term (Chronic) Oral NOAEL (mg kg⁻¹ bw d⁻¹)

Birds - Acute LD₅₀ (mg kg⁻¹)

> 2250

Colinus virginianus

Low

Birds - Short term dietary LC₅₀ (mg kg⁻¹ bw d⁻¹)

Birds - Chronic 21d NOEL (mg kg⁻¹ bw d⁻¹)

Earthworms - Acute 14 day LC₅₀ (mg kg⁻¹ dw soil)

> 1000

Eisenia foetida

Low

Earthworms - Chronic NOEC, reproduction (mg kg⁻¹ dw soil)

Soil micro-organisms

Collembola

Acute LC₅₀ (mg kg⁻¹)

Chronic NOEC (mg kg⁻¹)

Non-target plants

Vegetative vigour ER₅₀ (g ha⁻¹)

> 800

10 plant species tested

Seedling emergence ER₅₀ (g ha⁻¹)

6174

10 plant species tested

Honeybees (Apis spp.)

Contact acute LD₅₀ (worst case from 24, 48 and 72 hour values - μg bee⁻¹)

> 100

Apis mellifera

Low

Oral acute LD₅₀ (worst case from 24, 48 and 72 hour values - μg bee⁻¹)

> 108.28

Apis mellifera

Low

Unknown mode acute LD₅₀ (worst case from 24, 48 and 72 hour values - μg bee⁻¹)

Chronic

Notes

Bumblebees (Bombus spp.)

Contact acute LD₅₀ (worst case from 24, 48 and 72 hour values - μg bee⁻¹)

Oral acute LD₅₀ (worst case from 24, 48 and 72 hour values - μg bee⁻¹)

Mason bees (Osmia spp.)

Contact acute LD₅₀ (worst case from 24, 48 and 72 hour values - μg bee⁻¹)

Oral acute LD₅₀ (worst case from 24, 48 and 72 hour values - μg bee⁻¹)

Other bee species (1)

Acute LD₅₀ (worst case from 24, 48 and 72 hour values - μg insect⁻¹)

Mode of exposure

Other bee species (2)

Acute LD₅₀ (worst case from 24, 48 and 72 hour values - μg insect⁻¹)

Mode of exposure

Beneficial insects (Ladybirds)

Beneficial insects (Lacewings)

Beneficial insects (Parasitic wasps) as Mortality LR₅₀ g ha⁻¹, Std lab test

> 1000

Aphidius rhopalosphi

Low

Beneficial insects (Predatory mites) as Mortality LR₅₀ g ha⁻¹, Std lab test

> 1000

Typhlodromus pyri

Low

Beneficial insects (Ground beetles)

Beneficial insects (Butterflies)

Contact

Notes

Oral

Notes

Aquatic ecotoxicology

Property

Value

Source; quality score; and other information

Interpretation

Temperate Freshwater Fish - Acute 96 hour LC₅₀ (mg l⁻¹)

> 121

Oncorhynchus mykiss

Low

Temperate Freshwater Fish - Chronic 21 day NOEC (mg l⁻¹)

Tropical Freshwater Fish - Acute 96 hour LC₅₀ (mg l⁻¹)

Temperate Freshwater Aquatic invertebrates - Acute 48 hour EC₅₀ (mg l⁻¹)

> 116

Daphnia magna

Low

Temperate Freshwater Aquatic invertebrates - Chronic 21 day NOEC (mg l⁻¹)

Tropical Freshwater Aquatic invertebrates - Acute 48 hour EC₅₀ (mg l⁻¹)

Aquatic crustaceans - Acute 96 hour LC₅₀ (mg l⁻¹)

Sediment dwelling organisms - Acute 96 hour LC₅₀ (mg l⁻¹)

Sediment dwelling organisms - Chronic 28 day NOEC, static, water (mg l⁻¹)

Sediment dwelling organisms - Chronic 28 day NOEC, sediment (mg kg⁻¹)

Aquatic Plants (free-floating, fonds growth, fresh) - 7 day (mg l⁻¹) (ErC₅₀, Semi-static)

0.20

Lemna gibba

Moderate

Aquatic plants (rooted, growth rate, fresh) - 14 day (mg l⁻¹)

Algae - Acute (growth rate, fresh; mg l⁻¹) (72 hr ErC₅₀, Static)

> 95.3

Raphidocelis subcapitata

Low

Algae - Chronic (growth rate, fresh; mg l⁻¹)

Mesocosm study data

NOEAEC mg l⁻¹

Marine bivalves

Regulatory Threshold Levels (RTLs)

Note: These RTLs have been calculated using the regulatory approach used in the European Union and based on ecotoxocity values in the PPDB.

Species group

RTL

Notes

Mammals

500

Worst case of acute and chronic mammals

Birds

225

Worst case of acute and chronic birds

Soil organisms

200

Worst case of acute and chronic earthworms

Terrestrial plants

160

Worst case of non-target plants vegetative vigour and seedling emergence

Pollinators

Worst case of contact and oral honeybees

Arthropods

500

Worst case of parasitic wasps and predatory mites

Fish

1.21

Worst case of temperate acute and chronic fish

Aquatic invertebrates

1.16

Worst case of temperate acute and chronic aquatic invertebrates

Aquatic plants

0.02

Worst case of free-floating plants, rooted plants, acute and chronic algae

HUMAN HEALTH AND PROTECTION

General

Property

Value

Source; quality score; and other information

Interpretation

Threshold of Toxicological Concern (Cramer Class)

High (class III)

Mammals - Acute oral LD₅₀ (mg kg⁻¹)

> 5000

Rat

Low

Mammals - Short Term Oral NOAEL (mg kg⁻¹ bw d⁻¹)

Mammals - Long Term (Chronic) Oral NOAEL (mg kg⁻¹ bw d⁻¹)

Mammals - Dermal LD₅₀ (mg kg⁻¹ body weight)

> 500

Rat

Mammals - Inhalation LC₅₀ (mg l⁻¹)

> 5.13

Rat 4 hr (nose only)

Other Mammal toxicity endpoints

ADI - Acceptable Daily Intake (mg kg⁻¹ bw day⁻¹)

13.6

Rat SF=100

ARfD - Acute Reference Dose (mg kg⁻¹ bw day⁻¹)

None allocated

AAOEL - Acute Acceptable Operator Exposure Level (mg kg⁻¹ bw day⁻¹)

AOEL - Acceptable Operator Exposure Level - Systemic (mg kg⁻¹ bw day⁻¹)

6.8

Rat SF=100

Dermal penetration studies (%)

25-50

Concentration dependent

Dangerous Substances Directive 76/464

Exposure Routes

Public

Negligible risk considering proposed use

Occupational

Negligible risk considering proposed use

Mammalian dose elimination route and rate

Health issues

Specific human health issues (hazard-based)

Carcinogen

Genotoxic

Endocrine disruptor

; ; ; ;

Reproduction / development effects

Acetyl cholinesterase inhibitor

Neurotoxicant

Respiratory tract irritant

Skin irritant

Skin sensitiser

No data found

Eye irritant

Phototoxicant

No data found

General human health issues

May be harmful by ingestion, inhalation or via skin absorption

Handling issues

Property

Value and interpretation

General

Not explosive; May emit toxic fumes on combustion
Not compatible with strong oxiding agents
Not expected to auto-ignite; Not highly flammable

CLP classification 2013

Health: H315, H319, H335

WHO Classification

Not listed (Not listed)

UN Number

Waste disposal & packaging

Shelf-life, storage, stability and reactivity

Limited shelf-life.

TRANSLATIONS

Language

Name

English

S-abscisic acid

French

Acide abscisique

German

Danish

Italian

Spanish

Greek

Polish

Swedish

Hungarian

Dutch

Norwegian

S-abscisinsyre

Record last updated:	08/02/2026
Contact:	aeru@herts.ac.uk
Please cite as:	Lewis, K.A., Tzilivakis, J., Warner, D. and Green, A. (2016) An international database for pesticide risk assessments and management. Human and Ecological Risk Assessment: An International Journal, 22(4), 1050-1064. DOI: 10.1080/10807039.2015.1133242

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