Gibberellins

Gibberellins	Last updated: 12/12/2024
(Also known as: giberelline; gibberellins - GA4/GA7; gibberellic acid 4 plus 7; GA4+7)

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: Mobile	Ecotoxicity Moderate alert: Bees acute oral ecotoxicity: Moderate; Earthworms acute ecotoxicity: Moderate	Human health Moderate alert: Reproduction/development effects

GENERAL INFORMATION

Description

Plant hormones that regulate growth and influence various developmental processes including stem elongation, germination, dormancy and flowering

Example pests controlled

Russet; Cracking; Quality

Example applications

Apples; Pears

Efficacy & activity

Appearance and life cycle

Availability status

Current

Introduction & key dates

circa 1926, introduced

Taxonomic classification

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

Known to be also used in the following countries

Morocco

Chemical structure

Isomerism

Complex chiral molecules

Chemical formula

C₁₉H₂₄O₅ / C₁₉H₂₂O₅

Canonical SMILES

CC12C(CCC3(C1C(C45C3CCC(C4)C(=C)C5)C(=O)O)OC2=O)O

Isomeric SMILES

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

International Chemical Identifier key (InChIKey)

RSQSQJNRHICNNH-AMNRFOROSA-N

International Chemical Identifier (InChI)

InChI=1S/C19H24O5/c1-9-7-18-8-10(9)3-4-11(18)19-6-5-12(20)17(2,16(23)24-19)14(19)13(18)15(21)22/h10-14,20H,1,3-8H2,2H3,(H,21,22)/t10?,11-,12+,13-,14-,17-,18+,19-/m1/s1

2D structure diagram/image available?

Yes

General status

Biopesticide type

Plant Growth Regulator

Substance groups

Diterpenoid acids - mixture of GA4 and GA7; Plant-derived substance; Micro-organism derived substance

Minimum active substance purity

> 890 g kg⁻¹

Known relevant impurities

Substance origin

Natural

Mode of action

Regulates protein synthesis and stimulates cell elongation.

Substance source

A group of plant and fungal hormones that occur in fresh plant growth. Gibberelins are also produced by some bacterial species

Substance production

Commercially, gibberellin is obtained from fungi

Uses

Crop protection; Yield enhancement

Target pests

Russet; Cracking

Target host

Apples; Pears

Farming system suitability

CAS RN

8030-53-3

Alternative/old CAS RN

173269-32-4; 510-75-8

EC number

207-406-9 / 208-117-0

CIPAC number

904

US EPA chemical code

043801

PubChem CID

Molecular mass

331.4 (mean)

PIN (Preferred Identification Name)

IUPAC name

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

CAS name

(1α,2β,4αβ,4bβ,10β)-2,4a-dihydroxy-1-methyl-8-methylenegibbane-1,10-dicarboxylic acid 1,4a-lactone + (1α,2β,4αβ,4bβ,10β)-2,4a-dihydroxy-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 known

Herbicide Resistance Class (WSSA MoA class)

Insecticide Resistance Class (IRAC MoA class)

Not applicable

Fungicide Resistance Class (FRAC MOA class)

Not applicable

Examples of recorded resistance

None identified

Physical state

White crystalline solid

Related substances & organisms

gibberellic acid

potassium gibberellate

Formulations

Property

Product

Manufacturer

Example products

Novagib

Fine Agrochemicals Limited

Formulation and application details

Available in a variety of formulations including tablets and soluble granules

ENVIRONMENTAL FATE

Property

Value

Source; quality score; and other information

Interpretation

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

127

Moderate

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

0.5

n-Heptane

78.9

Xylene

250000

Methanol

250000

Acetone

Melting point (°C)

205.5

Boiling point (°C)

Decomposes before boiling

Degradation point (°C)

>=210

Flashpoint (°C)

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

1.40 X 10⁰⁰

Calculated

Log P

0.146

Low

Fat solubility of residues

Solubility

Data type

Density (g ml⁻¹)

Dissociation constant pKa) at 25 °C

4.30

at 23 °C

Vapour pressure at 20 °C (mPa)

0.1

Low volatility. If applied directly to plants, drift is a concern & mitigation is advisable

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

2.0 X 10^-05

Non-volatile

Volatilisation as max % of applied dose lost

From plant surface

From soil surface

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

Absorbs below 250nm, no maxima above 210nm

Surface tension (mN m⁻¹)

64.0

Degradation

Property

Value

Source; quality score; and other information

Interpretation

General biodegradability

Not readily biodegradable

Soil degradation (days) (aerobic)

DT₅₀ (typical)

0.43

mean value of GA4 & GA7

Non-persistent

DT₅₀ (lab at 20 °C)

0.43

mean value of GA4 & GA7

Non-persistent

DT₅₀ (field)

DT₉₀ (lab at 20 °C)

DT₉₀ (field)

DT₅₀ modelling endpoint

Note

EU 2024 dossier GA4 Lab studies DT₅₀ (normalised) range 0.086-1.51 days, mean = 0.66 days; GA7 Lab studies DT₅₀ (normalised) range 0.023-0.486 days, mean = 0.2 days; GA4 Lab studies DT₉₀ (normalised) range 0.602-12.3 days, mean = 3.87 days; GA7 Lab studies DT₉₀ (normalised) range 0.076-1.62 days, mean = 0.7 days;

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

100

Stable

Note

GA4 DT₅₀ 101-163 days, GA7 DT₅₀ 57-145 days

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

Value

Stable

Note

Stable at pH 4-9 up to 50 °C

Water-sediment DT₅₀ (days)

Water phase only DT₅₀ (days)

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)

0.54

mean value GA4 & GA7

K_oc (mL g⁻¹)

Notes and range

EFSA 2024 GA4 K_d range 0.17-1.26 mL g⁻¹, Soils=4; GA7 range 0.23-1.27 mL g⁻¹, Soils= 4

Freundlich

K_f (mL g⁻¹)

0.55

mean of G & GA7

Mobile

K_foc (mL g⁻¹)

48.1

¹/_n

0.99

Notes and range

EU 2024 dossier GA4 K_f range 0.19-1.32 mL g⁻¹, K_foc range 4-165 mL g⁻¹, ¹/_n range 0.96-0.97; GA7 K_f range 0.22-1.3 mL g⁻¹, K_foc range 4-166 mL g⁻¹, ¹/_n range 0.98-1.05

pH sensitivity

Yes, increasing sorption with decreasing pH

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)

(ppm diet)

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

1000

Unknown species Reproductive NOAEL

Low

Birds - Acute LD₅₀ (mg kg⁻¹)

> 2250

Colinus virginianus G

Low

Birds - Short term dietary (LC₅₀/LD₅₀)

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

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

> 625

Eisenia foetida corr

Moderate

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

125

Eisenia foetida corr

Low

Soil micro-organisms

Collembola

Acute LC₅₀ (mg kg⁻¹)

Chronic NOEC (mg kg⁻¹)

Non-target plants

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)

> 87

Apis mellifera

Moderate

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

> 5.644

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)

Beneficial insects (Lacewings)

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

> 40.0

Aphidius rhopalosiphi

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

> 40.0

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)

> 100

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)

> 100

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 - Acute 7 day EC₅₀, biomass (mg l⁻¹)

> 0.96

Lemna minor

Moderate

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

> 88

Pseudokirchneriella subcapitata as NOEC

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)

> 2.98

Rat 4 hr (nose only)

Other Mammal toxicity endpoints

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

0.33

Rabbit SF=300

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

0.33

Rabbit SF=300

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

0.09

Rabbit SF=300

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

0.09

Rabbit SF=300

Dermal penetration studies (%)

Dangerous Substances Directive 76/464

Exposure Routes

Public

Low risk to bystanders- small risk of drift

Occupational

PPE/PPC advised

Mammalian dose elimination route and rate

Rapid and extensive via urine (18-39%), faeces (3-12%) and bile (56-73%)

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

No information available

Handling issues

Property

Value and interpretation

General

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

CLP classification 2013

Health: H319

WHO Classification

III (Slightly hazardous)

UN Number

Waste disposal & packaging

Shelf-life, storage, stability and reactivity

TRANSLATIONS

Language

Name

English

gibberellins

French

German

Danish

Italian

Spanish

Greek

Polish

Swedish

Hungarian

Dutch

Norwegian

Gibberellin

Record last updated:	12/12/2024
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