Potassium gibberellate

Potassium gibberellate	Last updated: 01/02/2025
(Also known as: gibberellic acid; monopotassium salt)

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
		Human health Low alert

GENERAL INFORMATION

Description

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

Example pests controlled

Growth; Stress

Example applications

Seedless grapes Vegetables; Cereals

Efficacy & activity

As gibberellic acid, it has been proven as a biostimulant by both extensive lab and field studies over the last century. In a study with rice, gibberellic acid treatment was shown to significantly increased plant height, earlier flowering, and higher seed yield. Application to grapevines has been found to enhance berry size and improve cluster compactness. This leads to higher market value and better quality produce. Gibberellic acid treatment to wheat has been shown to increase stem elongation, leading to taller plants with more biomass. With tomatoes, gibberellic acid has been shown to promote early flowering and fruit set, leading to an extended harvest period and increased total yield.

Availability status

Current

Introduction & key dates

1962, parent acid was discovered in Japan; circa 1935 parent acid introduced

Substance source

Gibberellic acid is naturally found in various sources including fungi, many plants (e.g. cereal grains like rice, corn, wheat, and barley) amd some bacteria. It is also found in the developing seeds of peaches, onion bulbs, spinach, and ferns. The primary commercial source of gibberellic acid is the fungus Gibberella fujikuroi

Substance production

The most common method of commercial production is using a process called Submerged Fermentation. The fungus is cultivated in a liquid nutrient medium where it produces gibberellic acid. Key factors like pH, temperature, and nutrient concentration are carefully controlled to optimize production. Solid-State Fermentation is an alternative method where the fungus is grown on solid materials like agricultural residues. After fermentation, the gibberellic acid is extracted and purified. The purified gibberellic acid is converted into its potassium salt form, resulting in potassium gibberellate.

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

31/08/2023

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

The parent acid is a complex molecule with 8 chiral centres

Chemical formula

C₁₉H₂₁KO₆

Canonical SMILES

CC12C(C=CC3(C1C(C45C3CCC(C4)(C(=C)C5)O)C(=O)[O-])OC2=O)O.[K+]

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.[K+]

International Chemical Identifier key (InChIKey)

BGJIAUDTIACQSC-GLDAWBHVSA-M

International Chemical Identifier (InChI)

InChI=1S/C19H22O6.K/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);/q;+1/p-1/t10-,11+,12-,13-,16-,17+,18+,19-;/m1./s1

2D structure diagram/image available?

Yes

General status

Pesticide type

Plant Growth Regulator, Other substance

Other bioactivity & uses

Biostimulant - growth enhancement

Substance groups

Micro-organism derived substance; Plant-derived substance

Taxonomic classification

Minimum active substance purity

Known relevant impurities

Substance origin

Natural

Mode of action

The substance has various physiological and morphological effects on plants. It promotes stem elongation by stimulating both cell division and elongation. It activates genes that produce enzymes responsible for cell wall loosening, allowing cells to expand. It also helps plants cope with various abiotic stresses, such as salinity and drought, by modulating physiological and biochemical processes

CAS RN

125-67-7

EC number

204-749-6

CIPAC number

US EPA chemical code

PubChem CID

71299661

Molecular mass

384.50

PIN (Preferred Identification Name)

potassium;(1R,2R,5S,8S,9S,10R,11S,12S)-5,12-dihydroxy-11-methyl-6-methylidene-16-oxo-15-oxapentacyclo[9.3.2.15,8.01,10.02,8]heptadec-13-ene-9-carboxylate

IUPAC name

potassium;(1R,2R,5S,8S,9S,10R,11S,12S)-5,12-dihydroxy-11-methyl-6-methylidene-16-oxo-15-oxapentacyclo[9.3.2.15,8.01,10.02,8]heptadec-13-ene-9-carboxylate

CAS name

potassium (1S,2S,4aR,4bR,7S,9aS,10S,10aR)-1,2,4b,5,6,7,8,9,10,10a-decahydro-2,7-dihydroxy-1-methyl-8-methylene-13-oxo-4a,1-(epoxymethano)-7,9a-methanobenz[a]azulene-10-carboxylate (1:1)

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

gibberellic acid

gibberellins

Formulations

Property

Value

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

ICI Plant Protection
Abbott
Nihon Nohyaku

Example products using this active

Formulation and application details

Often forumted s a liquid for hand-held spray equipment or as a seed treatment

ENVIRONMENTAL FATE

Property

Value

Source; quality score; and other information

Interpretation

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

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

Melting point (°C)

Boiling point (°C)

Degradation point (°C)

Flashpoint (°C)

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

Log P

Fat solubility of residues

Solubility

Data type

Density (g ml⁻¹)

Dissociation constant pKa) at 25 °C

Vapour pressure at 20 °C (mPa)

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

Volatilisation as max % of applied dose lost

From plant surface

From soil surface

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

Surface tension (mN m⁻¹)

Degradation

Property

Value

Source; quality score; and other information

Interpretation

General biodegradability

Not readily biodegradable

Soil degradation (days) (aerobic)

DT₅₀ (typical)

DT₅₀ (lab at 20 °C)

DT₅₀ (field)

DT₉₀ (lab at 20 °C)

DT₉₀ (field)

DT₅₀ modelling endpoint

Note

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

Note

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)

K_oc (mL g⁻¹)

Notes and range

Freundlich

K_f (mL g⁻¹)

K_foc (mL g⁻¹)

¹/_n

Notes and range

pH sensitivity

Fate indices

Property

Value

Source; quality score; and other information

Interpretation

GUS leaching potential index

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

Value

Cannot be calculated

Note

Potential for particle bound transport index

Potential for loss via drain flow

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

Bio-concentration factor

BCF (l kg⁻¹)

CT₅₀ (days)

Known metabolites

None

ECOTOXICOLOGY

Terrestrial ecotoxicology

Property

Value

Source; quality score; and other information

Interpretation

Mammals - Acute oral LD₅₀ (mg kg⁻¹)

> 6300

Rat

Low

Mammals - Short term dietary NOEL

(mg kg⁻¹)

(ppm diet)

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

Birds - Acute LD₅₀ (mg kg⁻¹)

Birds - Short term dietary (LC₅₀/LD₅₀)

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

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

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

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)

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

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)

Beneficial insects (Predatory mites)

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)

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)

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)

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

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)

> 6300

Rat

Low

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

Mammals - Inhalation LC₅₀ (mg l⁻¹)

Other Mammal toxicity endpoints

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

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

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

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

Dermal penetration studies (%)

Dangerous Substances Directive 76/464

Exposure Routes

Public

Occupational

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

No data found

Eye irritant

Phototoxicant

No data found

General human health issues

May cause severe injury or burns following skin contact

Handling issues

Property

Value and interpretation

General

Corrosive
Not expected to auto-ignite; Not highly flammable
IMDG Transport Hazard Class 5.2

CLP classification 2013

Health: H319

WHO Classification

Not listed (Not listed)

UN Number

Waste disposal & packaging

Shelf-life, storage, stability and reactivity

TRANSLATIONS

Language

Name

English

potassium gibberellate

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Polish

Swedish

Hungarian

Dutch

Norwegian

Record last updated:	01/02/2025
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