Active chemical profile and ethylene-releasing mechanism
- Active ingredient: Ethephon 39% SL (2-chloroethylphosphonic acid, soluble liquid formulation).
- Mode of action: Absorbed by plant tissues and translocated; decomposes into natural ethylene gas, phosphate, and chloride ions at plant tissue pH (>4.0).
- Physiological effects: Accelerates natural fruit coloring, starch-to-sugar conversion, and uniform ripening in climacteric fruits.
- Defoliation and opening: Induces synchronous boll opening in cotton and latex flow stimulation in commercial rubber plantations.
Commercial applications across fruit and plantation crops
- Mango, Banana, and Papaya: Induces uniform color break, skin yellowing, and synchronized post-harvest ripening in authorized ripening chambers.
- Tomato and Chilli: Applied as a pre-harvest foliar spray to promote uniform red color development before picking.
- Pineapple: Induces synchronized flowering and uniform fruit maturity across commercial fields.
- Cotton: Promotes uniform boll opening and defoliation, facilitating mechanical harvesting or rapid manual picking.
- Rubber: Stimulates latex flow in mature Hevea rubber trees to sustain tapping productivity.
Pricing variables, pack sizes, and safety protocols
- Pack sizes: Standard container sizes include 100 ml, 250 ml, 500 ml, and 1-litre bottles.
- Price factors: Pricing reflects container size economies, freight charges, and local agricultural input distributor margins.
- Regulatory safety: Follow Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) protocols for post-harvest fruit ripening.
- Personal protection: Wear chemical-resistant gloves and eye protection; store in original acid-resistant containers away from heat.
Official source
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Central Insecticides Board & Registration Committee (CIBRC) ↗Related on KisanPe
Common questions
What is the active chemical in Bayer Ethrel?
Ethrel contains Ethephon 39% SL, an ethylene-releasing plant growth regulator.
How does Ethrel ripen fruits uniformly?
It decomposes inside plant tissues into natural ethylene gas, triggering the natural ripening process.
What pack sizes are available for Ethrel?
Standard pack sizes are 100 ml, 250 ml, 500 ml, and 1-litre bottles.
Can Ethrel be sprayed on standing crops?
Yes, it is sprayed on standing tomato, chilli, and cotton crops to promote uniform ripening and boll opening.
General guidance, not personal advice. For your farm, ask your local Krishi Vigyan Kendra or agriculture officer.
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