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Gibberellins (043801,043802,116902) Fact Sheet

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Issued: 1/01

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  1. Description of the Active Ingredient
  2. Use Sites, Target Pests, and Application Methods
  3. Assessing Risks to Human Health
  4. Assessing Risks to the Environment
  5. Regulatory Information
  6. Producer Information
  7. Additional Contact Information

Summary

Gibberellins are natural growth enhancers found in plants. They are applied to plants to encourage elongation, growth, and ripening. When used as growth enhancers, these substances do not present any known risks to humans or the environment.

  1. Description of the Active Ingredient

    2. Active Ingredient Name: Gibberellic Acid (GA3)
    OPP Chemical Code: 43801; (CAS # 77-06-5)

    Active Ingredient Name: Mixture of Gibberellins (GA4) and (GA7)
    OPP Chemical Code: 116902; (CAS # 8030-53-3)

    Active Ingredient Name: Potassium Gibberellate
    OPP Chemical Code: 43802; (CAS # 125-67-7)

    The three active ingredients above, collectively called "Gibberellins," occur naturally in green plants and in some microbes. In green plants, these natural substances help to regulate growth of the plants. When applied to crops, gibberellins can stimulate dwarf plants to grow to normal size; can promote flowering and elongation of stems and roots; and can stimulate fruit growth and maturation. The three active ingredients are considered together because they are extremely similar in structure, function, and toxicity.

  2. Use Sites, Target Pests, and Application Methods

  3. Assessing Risks to Human Health

    4. No adverse effects to humans are expected from use of gibberellins to enhance growth and maturation of crops. The substances are found naturally in plants. Also, the tiny amounts applied to crops do not noticeably increase exposure of humans who eat the treated crops.

  4. Assessing Risks to the Environment

    5. No risks to the environment are expected from use of gibberellins because 1) they do not harm animals or plants in the tiny amounts used, 2) they act as plant growth enhancers, 3) they are naturally broken down in the environment.

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  5. Regulatory Information

    6. Active Ingredient Number of End- Use Products
    (July 2000)    		 Year First Product Was Registered /
    Year of Reregistration
    Gibberellic Acid (GA3)
    50
    1947 / 1995
    Mixture of Gibberellins (GA4) and (GA7)
    7
    1979 / 1995
    Potassium Gibberellate
    2
    1960 /1995

  6. Producer Information

    7. Many companies have received registrations for pesticide products that contain gibberellins as active ingredients.

  7. Additional Contact Information

    8. Ombudsman, Biopesticides and Pollution Prevention Division (7511P)
    Office of Pesticide Programs
    Environmental Protection Agency
    1200 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
    Washington, D.C. 20460

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