Gibberellic acid

Gibberellic acid	Last updated: 16/12/2024
(Also known as: gibberellic acid; Gibberellin A3)

SUMMARY

Data alerts

The following 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.

Environmental fate	Ecotoxicity	Human health
Environmental fate High alert: Drainflow: Very mobile	Ecotoxicity Moderate alert: Birds chronic ecotoxicity: Moderate; Daphnia acute ecotoxicity: Moderate; Bees acute contact ecotoxicity: Moderate	Human health Moderate alert: Genotoxic; Reproduction/development effects

GENERAL INFORMATION

Description

A plant growth regulator with a variety of uses including improving fruit set, increasing berry size and controlling fruit maturity

Example pests controlled

Growth

Example applications

Top fruit; Soft fruit including grapes; Hops

Efficacy & activity

Availability status

Current

Introduction & key dates

1926, discovered; circa 1935, introduced

GB regulatory status

GB COPR regulatory status

Approved

Date COPR inclusion expires

31/08/2029

GB LERAP status

None

EC Regulation 1107/2009 (repealing 91/414)

EC Regulation 1107/2009 status

Approved

Dossier rapporteur/co-rapporteur

Slovenia/Slovakia

Date EC 1107/2009 inclusion expires

15/07/2025

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

Australia, Morocco

Chemical structure

Isomerism

A complex molecule with 8 chiral centres

Chemical formula

C₁₉H₂₂O₆

Canonical SMILES

CC12C(C=CC3(C1C(C45C3CCC(C4)(C(=C)C5)O)C(=O)O)OC2=O)O

Isomeric SMILES

C[C@@]12[C@H](C=C[C@@]3([C@@H]1[C@@H]([C@]45[C@H]3CC[C@](C4)(C(=C)C5)O)C(=O)O)OC2=O)O

International Chemical Identifier key (InChIKey)

IXORZMNAPKEEDV-OBDJNFEBSA-N

International Chemical Identifier (InChI)

InChI=1S/C19H22O6/c1-9-7-17-8-18(9,24)5-3-10(17)19-6-4-11(20)16(2,15(23)25-19)13(19)12(17)14(21)22/h4,6,10-13,20,24H,1,3,5,7-8H2,2H3,(H,21,22)/t10-,11+,12-,13-,16-,17+,18+,19-/m1/s1

2D structure diagram/image available?

Yes

Cambridge Crystallographic Data Centre diagrams

Common Name	Relationship	Link
Gibberllin A3	-

General status

Pesticide type

Plant Growth Regulator

Substance groups

Micro-organism derived substance

Minimum active substance purity

850 g kg⁻¹

Known relevant impurities

EU 2019 dossier: Fumonisin B1, B2 total = 200 μg kg⁻¹

Substance origin

Natural

Mode of action

Has physiological and morphological effects on plant

CAS RN

77-06-5

EC number

201-001-0

CIPAC number

307

US EPA chemical code

043801

PubChem CID

Molecular mass

346.37

PIN (Preferred Identification Name)

IUPAC name

(3S,3aS,4S,4aS,7S,9aR,9bR,12S)-7,12-dihydroxy-3-methyl-6-methylene-2-oxoperhydro-4a,7-methano-9b,3-propenoazuleno[1,2-b]furan-4-carboxylic acid

CAS name

(1α,2β,4aα,4bβ,10β)-2,4a,7-trihydroxy-1-methyl-8-methylenegibb-3-ene-1,10-dicarboxylic acid 1,4a-lactone

Other status information

Relevant Environmental Water Quality Standards

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 crystalline solid

Related substances & organisms

gibberellins

potassium gibberellate

Formulations

Property

Value

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

ICI Plant Protection
Abbott
Nihon Nohyaku
BOC Sciences
Stoller Australia Pty.Ltd

Example products using this active

Berelex
Activol
Grocel
Brellin
Cekugib
GIBB 3
N-Large Gibberellic Acid Growth Regulant
ProGibb

Formulation and application details

Available as granules, water-soluble tablets, soluble powders and soluble crystal formulations

ENVIRONMENTAL FATE

Property

Value

Source; quality score; and other information

Interpretation

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

4280

High

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

n-Hexane

Dichloromethane

273000

Methanol

3100

Ethyl actetate

Melting point (°C)

Decomposes before melting

Boiling point (°C)

Decomposes before boiling

Degradation point (°C)

>200

Flashpoint (°C)

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

5.25 X 10⁰⁰

Calculated

Log P

0.72

Low

Fat solubility of residues

Solubility

Data type

Density (g ml⁻¹)

1.49

Dissociation constant pKa) at 25 °C

4.1

Weak acid

Vapour pressure at 20 °C (mPa)

0.01

Low volatility

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

7.5 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

In water: 280nm=3298, 257.2nm=78
In 0.1M NaOH: 222.3nm=1367
In 0.1M HCl: 209.3nm=4230, 254.8nm=391

Surface tension (mN m⁻¹)

70.0

at 20 °C 1 g l⁻¹

Degradation

Property

Value

Source; quality score; and other information

Interpretation

General biodegradability

Not readily biodegradable

Soil degradation (days) (aerobic)

DT₅₀ (typical)

0.31

Non-persistent

DT₅₀ (lab at 20 °C)

0.31

Non-persistent

DT₅₀ (field)

DT₉₀ (lab at 20 °C)

1.1

Non-persistent

DT₉₀ (field)

DT₅₀ modelling endpoint

Note

EU 2024 dossier Lab studies DT₅₀ (normalised) range 0.216-0.393 days; DT₉₀ (normalised) range 1.02-1.31 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

11.3

Moderately fast

Note

pH variable

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

Value

6.8

Non-persistent

Note

pH variable

Water-sediment DT₅₀ (days)

Water phase only DT₅₀ (days)

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)

Very mobile

K_oc (mL g⁻¹)

Notes and range

Estimated

Freundlich

K_f (mL g⁻¹)

0.221

Very mobile

K_foc (mL g⁻¹)

7.12

¹/_n

0.84

Notes and range

EU 2024 dossier K_f range 0-0.94 mL g⁻¹, K_foc range 0-29.7 mL g⁻¹, ¹/_n range 0.51-0.98, Soils=5

pH sensitivity

Fate indices

Property

Value

Source; quality score; and other information

Interpretation

GUS leaching potential index

-1.60

Calculated

Low leachability

SCI-GROW groundwater index (μg l⁻¹) for a 1 kg ha⁻¹ or 1 l ha⁻¹ application rate

Value

7.23 X 10^-04

Calculated

Note

Potential for particle bound transport index

Low

Calculated

Potential for loss via drain flow

Very mobile

Calculated

Photochemical oxidative DT₅₀ (hrs) as indicator of long-range air transport risk

0.98

Calculated using the Atkinson method

Below the level of concern for long-range air transport

Bio-concentration factor

BCF (l kg⁻¹)

CT₅₀ (days)

Known soil metabolites

Metabolite

Major/Minor fraction

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

Estimated maximum occurrence fraction

Notes

(2S,4aR,4bR,7R,9aS,10S,10aR)-2,7-dihydroxy-1-methyl-8-methylidene-13-oxo-1,2,4b,7,8,9,10,10a-octahydro-4a,1-(epoxymethano)-7,9a-methanobenzo[a]azulene-10-carboxylic acid) (Ref: AS1)

Major fraction

0.396

Ref: AS2

Major fraction

0.106

(1aS,2aR,2bR,5S,7aS,8S,8aR,9aR)-5-hydroxy-9-methyl-6-methylidene-10-oxododecahydro-2a,9-(epoxymethano)-5,7a-methanocyclohepta[1,2]indeno[5,6-b]oxirene-8-carboxylic acid (Ref: AS3)

Major fraction

0.110

(1aS,2aR,2bR,5S,7aS,8S,8aR,9aR)-5-hydroxy-9-methyl-6-methylidene-10-oxododecahydro 2a,9-(epoxymethano)-5,7a-methanocyclohepta[1,2]indeno[5,6-b]oxirene-8-carboxylic acid (Ref: AS4)

Major fraction

0.119

Ref: AS5

Major fraction

0.271

Ref: AS6

Major fraction

0.251

Ref: AS7

Major fraction

0.424

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 dietary NOEL

(mg kg⁻¹)

Rat

(ppm diet)

> 1000

Mammals - Chronic 21d NOAEL (mg kg⁻¹ bw d⁻¹)

2397

Rat Reproductive NOAEL

Low

Birds - Acute LD₅₀ (mg kg⁻¹)

> 2000

Anas platyrhnchos

Low

Birds - Short term dietary (LC₅₀/LD₅₀)

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

> 90.4

Colinus virginianus LD₅₀/10

Moderate

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

> 1250

Eisenia foetida

Low

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

250

Eisenia foetida

Low

Soil micro-organisms

Collembola

Acute LC₅₀ (mg kg⁻¹)

Chronic NOEC (mg kg⁻¹)

Non-target plants

35.5

Lactuca sativa
Seedling emergence, ER₅₀
as g ha⁻¹

> 200

Zea mays
Vegatative vigour
as g ha⁻¹

Honeybees (Apis spp.)

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

> 25

Apis mellifera

Moderate

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

> 114

Apis mellifera

Low

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

Chronic as 10-day LDD₅₀ µg bee⁻¹ day⁻¹

> 3.02

Apis mellifera

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) as Mortaity LR₅₀ g ha⁻¹

> 280

Coccinella septempunctata

Beneficial insects (Lacewings) as Mortality LR₅₀ g ha⁻¹

> 10

Chrysoperla carnea

Beneficial insects (Parasitic wasps) as Mortality LR₅₀ g ha⁻¹

> 10

Aphidius colemani

Beneficial insects (Predatory mites) as Mortality LR₅₀ g ha⁻¹

> 181

Typhlodromus pyri

Beneficial insects (Ground beetles)

Aquatic ecotoxicology

Property

Value

Source; quality score; and other information

Interpretation

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

> 120

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)

Daphnia magna

Moderate

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 - Acute 7 day EC₅₀, biomass (mg l⁻¹)

255.4

Lemna minor

Low

Algae - Acute 72 hour EC₅₀, growth (mg l⁻¹)

24.7

Pseudokirchneriella subcapitata

Low

Algae - Chronic 96 hour NOEC, growth (mg l⁻¹)

Mesocosm study data

NOEAEC mg l⁻¹

Marine bivalves

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 - Dermal LD₅₀ (mg kg⁻¹ body weight)

2000

Rat

Mammals - Inhalation LC₅₀ (mg l⁻¹)

> 4.49

Rat 4 hr (nose only)

Other Mammal toxicity endpoints

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

0.23

Rat SF=1000

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

0.78

Rat SF=300

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

0.23

Rat SF=1000

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

0.23

Rat SF=1000

Dermal penetration studies (%)

2.2

Dangerous Substances Directive 76/464

Exposure Routes

Public

Acceptable for proposed uses - negligible risk

Occupational

Acceptable for proposed uses - negligible risk

MRLs

European

EU MRL pesticide database

Great Britain

GB MRL Register

Notes

Drinking Water Standards

Drinking Water MAC (μg l⁻¹)

Mammalian dose elimination route and rate

Health issues

Specific human health issues

Carcinogen

Genotoxic

Endocrine disruptor

; ; ; ;

Reproduction / development effects

Acetyl cholinesterase inhibitor

Neurotoxicant

Respiratory tract irritant

Skin irritant

Skin sensitiser

Eye irritant

Phototoxicant

General human health issues

May cause severe injury or burns following skin contact

Handling issues

Property

Value and interpretation

General

Avoid generation of dust
Corrosive
Not explosive or oxidising
Not expected to auto-ignite; Not highly flammable

CLP classification 2013

None allocated at this time

WHO Classification

U (Unlikely to present an acute hazard)

UN Number

Not regulated

Waste disposal & packaging

Shelf-life, storage, stability and reactivity

Limited shelf-life.

TRANSLATIONS

Language

Name

English

gibberellic acid

French

acide Gibbérellique

German

Gibberelline

Danish

gibberellins

Italian

gibberelline

Spanish

giberelinas

Greek

Polish

gibereliny

Swedish

Hungarian

Dutch

gibbereline

Norwegian

gibberellinsyre

Record last updated:	16/12/2024
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