Section
| HS Code | 331976 |
| Product Name | Chlorocholine Chloride |
| Common Name | Chlormequat chloride |
| Chemical Name | (2-Chloroethyl)trimethylammonium chloride |
| Cas Number | 999-81-5 |
| Molecular Formula | C5H13Cl2N |
| Molecular Weight | 158.07 g/mol |
| Appearance | White to pale yellow crystalline powder |
| Physical State | Solid at room temperature |
| Melting Point | Approximately 245 °C with decomposition |
| Water Solubility | Freely soluble in water |
| Primary Use | Plant growth regulator |
| Mode Of Action | Inhibits gibberellin biosynthesis |
| Typical Purity | Technical grade commonly ≥ 98% |
| Storage Conditions | Store in a cool, dry, well-ventilated place away from moisture |
| Toxicity | Moderately toxic; rat oral LD50 approximately 460–670 mg/kg |
| Hazard Class | Harmful if swallowed; may cause irritation |
As an accredited Chlorocholine Chloride factory, we enforce strict quality protocols—every batch undergoes rigorous testing to ensure consistent efficacy and safety standards.
| Packing | Chlorocholine Chloride is packaged in 25 kg net polyethylene-lined fiber drums with sealed inner plastic bags for safe storage and transport. |
| Container Loading (20′ FCL) | Chlorocholine Chloride is loaded in a 20′ FCL container, with palletized drums securely strapped, labeled, and sealed for transport. |
| Shipping | Ship Chlorocholine Chloride (chlormequat chloride) as UN 2811, Toxic solid, organic, n.o.s. (Chlorocholine chloride), Class 6.1, PG III, in tightly closed, labeled containers. Store cool, dry, ventilated, away from oxidizers. Verify SDS and local rules; aqueous formulations may require different UN/class. |
| Storage | Store chlorocholine chloride in a cool, dry, well-ventilated area, away from direct sunlight and moisture. Keep containers tightly closed and properly labeled, using chemically compatible containers. Separate from food, feed, oxidizing agents, and incompatible materials. Prevent dust generation and spills, and follow local regulations and the supplier’s safety data sheet. |
| Shelf Life | Stable under recommended storage conditions; typical shelf life is two years when kept cool, dry, and protected from light. |
In winter wheat production, chlormequat chloride is transferred from bulk chemical storage into the spray pack as a 750 g/L soluble concentrate, and the field tank is filled to 50% of the final water volume before the measured product dose is added under hydraulic agitation. Field delivery uses a tractor-mounted three-point linkage sprayer with a boom width of 24 m and flat fan nozzles conforming to ISO 10625, mounted at a height of 50 cm above the crop canopy and driven at 6–8 km/h to deliver 200–400 L/ha at a constant pressure of 2.0–3.0 bar. The compound is absorbed through green stem and leaf tissue and inhibits the cyclase-mediated conversion of geranylgeranyl diphosphate to ent-kaurene, lowering gibberellin A1 biosynthesis in the expanding subapical zone at BBCH 30–31, when the first and second nodes are detectable by splitting the main stem. A single application of 0.8–1.5 L/ha of the 750 g/L formulation shortens the lower internodes by between 8 cm and 15 cm in lodging-prone high-input stands, and the reduced canopy height decreases the lever arm for wind-induced stem buckling at the milk stage. Real production records show that skipping calibration against ISO 16122-2 can produce a nozzle output deviation of more than 10%, which in turn creates longitudinal streaks of tall and short wheat within the same tramline. Uptake is most reliable when the leaf cuticle is dry, air temperature remains between 5 °C and 25 °C, relative humidity is above 50%, and no rain occurs for at least 6 h after the boom pass. The treated wheat is transported to straight-run flour mills where bulk density is measured according to ISO 7971-3, moisture content according to ISO 712, and grain lots are screened against chlormequat chloride residue limits published in Regulation (EC) No 396/2005 Annex II before being released for bread or biscuit flour production. Professional operators handling the concentrate must comply with exposure scenario obligations under Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006, and protective clothing is assessed according to EN ISO 27065.
The representative rates below are drawn from northwest European extension data for 750 g/L SL products and must be checked against the local plant protection product label because registration patterns, residue constraints, and variety-specific limitations differ across jurisdictions.
| Crop | Application window | Representative rate of 750 g/L SL | Water volume | Terminal product constraint |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Winter wheat | BBCH 30–31 | 0.8–1.5 L/ha | 200–400 L/ha | Milling wheat; bulk density per ISO 7971-3 |
| Spring barley | BBCH 31–32 | 0.4–0.8 L/ha | 200–300 L/ha | Malting barley; maltster residue check before delivery |
| Rye | BBCH 30–31 | 0.6–1.0 L/ha | 200–300 L/ha | Milling or feed; cultivar-dependent response |
| Triticale | BBCH 30–31 | 0.7–1.2 L/ha | 200–300 L/ha | Feed or ethanol; avoid late split application |
| Oats | BBCH 30–31 | 0.3–0.5 L/ha if registered | 200–300 L/ha | Milling or feed; phytotoxicity risk at flag leaf |
Spring barley differs from winter wheat because the narrower window at BBCH 31–32 reflects a documented failure mode when treatment is delayed beyond the second-node stage: peduncle shortening and awn emergence restriction may reduce malting barley lot uniformity and increase the proportion of undersized kernels. A lower product dose of 0.4–0.8 L/ha is therefore used in barley intended for maltster contracts, and malt intake laboratories test the dried grain for germination energy and water sensitivity using the European Brewery Convention methods before accepting the lot. Rye and triticale show no universal dose-response because open-pollinated rye populations are less uniform than modern wheat cultivars; untreated hybrid rye often already contains sufficient lodging resistance through stem diameter and root anchorage, while tall population rye may receive 0.6–1.0 L/ha at BBCH 30–31. Oats represent the narrowest agronomic niche because published registration data are limited and late applications at the flag-leaf stage can produce tip burn and panicle distortion; where a local label exists, growers should limit the rate to 0.3–0.5 L/ha and treat only at BBCH 30–31. The downstream consequence of over-application is not only crop safety risk but also residue carryover into milled oat products and horse feed, both of which are governed by separate maximum residue limit schedules.
In containerised ornamental production, chlormequat chloride is changed from a foliar anti-lodging input into a root-zone growth regulator because drench applications through ebb-and-flow benches or subirrigation trays give more uniform height suppression across batches of poinsettia, chrysanthemum, and geranium. The drench solution is prepared at 1000–3000 mg/L active ingredient, and the applied volume is calculated per pot according to substrate mass rather than field area; a 10 cm poinsettia pot receives 50–100 mL of prepared solution, whereas a 15 cm pot may require 120–180 mL to wet the full root plug. Foliar sprays in bedding plant plug trays use a horizontal boom at 1.0–1.5 bar and deliver 1500–3000 mg/L to the point of runoff, but the drench route is preferred when bract development is already underway because it avoids residue on pigmented bract surfaces. The drench mechanism involves active uptake through roots followed by acropetal transport to meristematic tissue, and the response is slower but longer-lasting than foliar sprays; growers monitor substrate electrical conductivity below 2.0 mS/cm and substrate pH between 5.5 and 6.3 according to EN 13037, because saline media force the plant to partition less active ingredient into the target shoot tissue. A standard commercial failure mode is leaf margin chlorosis when the drench is applied to drought-stressed plants or when greenhouse temperature exceeds 30 °C for more than 4 h after application. The terminal product is a compact pot plant that must meet fixed retail carton height and branch caliper specifications measured with digital calipers, and a pre-treatment block test of 10–20 plants per cultivar is required to prevent batch rejection at the distribution centre.
For greenhouse tomato and pepper transplant blocks, plant height control is managed with a low-volume foliar spray applied between the second and fourth true-leaf stage, using a horizontal boom fitted with cone nozzles operating at 1.5–2.0 bar and calibrated to deliver 100–200 L/ha. The active ingredient concentration is kept between 1000 mg/L and 1500 mg/L, and the spray solution is directed to the apical region rather than the substrate because root uptake at this stage can produce excessive growth reduction and delayed first truss initiation. The treatment shortens the hypocotyl and first true internode by reducing cell elongation in developing internodal tissue, but does not interfere with the floral primordia that determine the first harvest truss. Production records show that applications made when root-zone water content is saturated or when solar radiation exceeds 800 W/m² result in lower cuticular uptake and may require a repeat application, which increases the total seasonal load and may exceed residue tolerances if the transplant is sold for greenhouse fruit production. A 7-day post-application interval is maintained before mechanical transplanting, and the terminal product is a uniform seedling with a stem diameter of 5–7 mm, 6–8 true leaves, and an intact root plug for automated transplanter cells in high-wire or open-field systems. Growers must verify the local registration status for edible transplant uses because chlormequat chloride labels differ significantly for ornamental and vegetable crops.
In cotton production where mepiquat chloride is either not available or agronomically unsuitable, chlormequat chloride is evaluated as a gibberellin-suppressing tool to shift assimilate partitioning from terminal vegetative shoots toward developing bolls. Extension data from limited production regions indicate that early-bloom applications of 0.25–0.75 L/ha of the 750 g/L soluble concentrate can shorten the upper five internodes and increase boll retention under moderate nitrogen input; however, published data for this specific configuration is limited compared with the mepiquat chloride dataset, and varietal response is highly determinate. Ground application uses high-clearance sprayers with drop nozzles spaced at 19–38 cm and operated at 2.0–2.5 bar to penetrate the canopy below the first fruiting branch. The crop should be actively growing but not under midday water stress, because stomatal closure under soil moisture deficit reduces uptake and leads to non-uniform plant height control within the field. Treated cotton is ginned and the lint is characterized by high-volume instrument testing according to ASTM D5867, with mill performance determined by staple length, strength, short fibre index, and nep count. The terminal product is bale cotton for ring-spun yarn or open-end yarn, and growers must run strip tests across each variety block before full-farm adoption to avoid over-regulation that reduces boll surface area and limits lint yield.
Chlormequat chloride is a quaternary ammonium compound with high water solubility, and its biological performance is sensitive to spray water pH when the working solution remains outside the 5.0–7.0 range. Hard water with carbonate alkalinity above 200 mg/L as calcium carbonate can form sparingly soluble carbonate associations and reduce foliar uptake, so water conditioners are used when the bicarbonate concentration exceeds 150 mg/L in the spray tank. Jar tests are carried out at the planned field dilution of 0.5–1.5 L of product per 100 L of water before any tank-mix partner is introduced, and the agitation system must remain active throughout the filling sequence to prevent localised high-concentration zones in the induction hopper. Low-drift flat fan nozzles conforming to ISO 10625 with at least 90% drift reduction classification are selected when the boom operates at 50 cm height and wind speed remains below 3 m/s; nozzle output is checked before each campaign against the nominal value in ISO 16122-2, and any nozzle showing a deviation greater than 10% is replaced. Rainfall within 6 h after application re-distributes the active substance from the leaf surface and lowers stem-shortening activity, so applications are scheduled before a dry window of at least 6 h and when the canopy is free of dew. The terminal effect is a consistent deposition pattern and uniform stem shortening across the boom width, which avoids strip lodging and reduces the need for late corrective mechanical rolling.
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Chlorocholine chloride (CAS 999-81-5; C5H13Cl2N; relative molecular mass 158.07) is a quaternary ammonium plant growth regulator supplied as a technical concentrate or as aqueous soluble concentrate formulations. The active substance is absorbed through leaf and root surfaces, translocates acropetally, and accumulates in meristematic tissue. Its principal biochemical action is inhibition of the cytochrome P450-mediated ent-kaurene oxidase step in gibberellin biosynthesis, lowering steady-state GA1 concentrations in elongating internodes and restricting cell elongation rather than cell division. Commercial model designations typically reflect concentration: 98% TC, 50% SL, 75% SL, and 20% AS; package suffixes vary by regional registration and pack size. The solid technical material is hygroscopic and is commonly packed in moisture-barrier polyethylene-lined paper sacks or fluorinated HDPE drums. The aqueous formulations are nonflammable and have no flash point under standard closed-cup methods, but they are corrosive to mild steel if stored for prolonged periods.
Technical material acceptance limits commonly include a minimum chlorocholine chloride content of 980 g/kg, a maximum water content of 5 g/kg, and a clear to slightly opalescent appearance after dilution in deionized water. The pH of a 1% aqueous solution is measured by ASTM E70 and is typically specified between 5.0 and 7.0. Water content is determined by Karl Fischer titration in accordance with ISO 760:1978. The technical material is hygroscopic; unprotected storage in ambient air above 60% relative humidity can increase water mass fraction by 2–5% within 8 h, causing metering deviations on continuous dosing lines when the material is fed by volumetric screw equipment. Analytical method validation for active ingredient content generally follows SANCO/3030/99 rev.5 or the current replacement guidance in the jurisdiction of registration; published method codes for chlorocholine chloride in CIPAC handbooks vary by formulation type.
Formulation-grade aqueous solutions are produced as soluble concentrates with nominal active ingredient contents of 50.0% (w/w) and 75.0% (w/w). The 75% SL has a typical density of 1.14–1.16 g/cm³ at 20 °C and a dynamic viscosity below 50 mPa·s at 20 °C, which permits transfer through diaphragm or peristaltic metering pumps without additional shear conditioning. Published data for specific product viscosities is limited; values vary with antifreeze and wetting-agent packages. Freezing-point depression packages allow storage down to −5 °C in most commercial formulations, but crystallization can occur below 0 °C if the formulation is diluted with water on-farm.
| Parameter | Representative acceptance limit | Measurement method |
|---|---|---|
| Appearance | white to off-white crystalline solid | visual inspection |
| Assay as chlorocholine chloride | ≥ 980 g/kg | ion chromatography with conductivity detection |
| Water content | ≤ 5 g/kg | ISO 760:1978 |
| pH (1% aqueous solution) | 5.0–7.0 | ASTM E70 |
| Insoluble matter in 10% aqueous solution | ≤ 1.0 g/kg | gravimetric, 0.45 μm membrane |
In production-scale winter wheat, the 75% SL formulation is applied at 1.0–1.5 L/ha at first node, Zadoks GS31, corresponding to 750–1,125 g a.i./ha. Field sprayers equipped with 110° flat-fan nozzles at 2.5–3.0 bar and water volumes of 150–200 L/ha are common; the higher water volume is required to wet the leaf sheath and stem base where absorption occurs. Applications made after second node, Zadoks GS32/33, often produce less reliable height suppression and may increase the risk of grain yield loss under drought stress. Height reduction in registration trials ranges from 10–25% depending on cultivar, nitrogen supply, and application timing, while stem base internode thickening is cultivar-dependent. On twin-hoe or tramline sprayers with section widths above 24 m, boom height must be maintained at 50 cm above the crop to preserve stem contact; drift-reducing air-induction nozzles can reduce coverage if droplet size exceeds 400 μm volume median diameter.
The quaternary ammonium cation is not a structural analogue of ent-kaurene; its inhibition is associated with interference in the cytochrome P450 monooxygenase system responsible for ent-kaurene oxidation. The resulting reduction in ent-kaurenoid flux lowers steady-state GA1 concentrations in elongating internodes and is particularly active in the peduncle and upper culm internodes. Because cell elongation is more sensitive to GA1 than cell division, chlorocholine chloride shortens internode length without a proportional reduction in spikelet number. The compound is compatible with high-nitrogen cereal management where elevated endogenous gibberellin levels increase lodging risk, but it does not compensate for severe potassium or silicon deficiency that weakens culm structural tissue.
Operational boundaries: the inhibition effect declines once rapid stem elongation has begun. Late application after Zadoks GS33 is generally outside the registered window in many jurisdictions. The compound should not be tank-mixed with alkaline foliar fertilizers such as potassium carbonate; spray solution pH above 8.5 can destabilize ester-containing tank partners and reduce leaf uptake of undissociated weak acids. Uptake is also reduced under drought-stressed leaf cuticles; applications made when leaf water potential is below −1.0 MPa may require higher spray water volume and a nonionic wetter to maintain efficacy.
In rice seedling management, chlorocholine chloride 50% SL is used as a seed soak or seedling dip. Seed soaking at 500–1000 mg/L active ingredient for 12–24 h at 20–25 °C reduces mesocotyl and first internode elongation and improves transplanting tolerance in mechanical transplanting. Published data for specific rice varieties is limited; response magnitude varies with japonica and indica cultivar groups. The soaked seed must be drained and sown promptly because prolonged storage after soaking increases fungal contamination risk. In machine-transplanted rice, seedling mats treated at 2.5% chlorocholine chloride solution before pulling show reduced leaf breakage during transplanting; however, local labels differ and published data for this specific configuration is limited.
Chlorocholine chloride is registered in some cotton production systems, but mepiquat chloride is the more widely adopted quaternary ammonium growth regulator in cotton because of lower use rates and better fit with narrow-row spindle-picked production. Both substances reduce excessive vegetative growth, but chlorocholine chloride typically requires 3–5 times the active ingredient rate of mepiquat chloride for comparable internode suppression. This rate difference increases tank loading and can alter spray logistics when moving from one product to another. In cotton, chlorocholine chloride is used at early bloom to reduce apex growth, but the application window is narrower than in cereals; excessive rates reduce boll retention and can delay cutout in indeterminate varieties.
| Feature | Chlorocholine chloride | Mepiquat chloride | Trinexapac-ethyl |
|---|---|---|---|
| CAS registry number | 999-81-5 | 24307-26-4 | 95266-40-3 |
| Molecular formula | C5H13Cl2N | C7H16ClN | C13H16O5 |
| Relative molecular mass | 158.07 | 149.66 | 252.26 |
| Chemical family | quaternary ammonium | quaternary ammonium | cyclohexanedione |
| Typical use-rate range in cereals | 750–1,125 g a.i./ha | not primary cereal use | 50–200 g a.i./ha |
| Typical use-rate range in cotton | 250–750 g a.i./ha | 25–150 g a.i./ha | not primary cotton use |
The difference between chlorocholine chloride and mepiquat chloride is also evident in physicochemical behavior. Chlorocholine chloride has a higher water solubility and is more hygroscopic as a solid, which affects bulk storage and metering. In cotton, mepiquat chloride is preferred under low-moisture conditions because its use rate is lower and it can be applied with insect growth regulators without excessive foliage wetting. Chlorocholine chloride is not a direct replacement when spray volume is constrained below 50 L/ha; the larger mass transfer rate requires higher water volume or at least 100 L/ha to avoid localized phytotoxicity. Tank-loading calculations for a 1,000 L sprayer show that 30–40 L of 75% SL is needed at cereal rates, whereas a mepiquat chloride product may require only 1–3 L of a 50 g/L formulation, changing measuring accuracy requirements on smallholder equipment.
Chlorocholine chloride has no effect on existing stem buckling or root-lodged plants. Applications made after visible lodging do not restore vertical culm orientation. The compound must be applied preventatively before internode elongation reaches the rapid phase. In lodged wheat fields, late application can increase residue risk without agronomic benefit. The crop uptake window for height regulation is already closed when the peduncle is fully developed and the flag leaf collar has emerged. No published field trial supports curative use after Zadoks GS39.
Chlorocholine chloride is highly mobile in soil due to its high water solubility and low soil organic carbon-water partition coefficient. Aerobic degradation half-life in soil under OECD 307 conditions is reported in a broad range; published data for specific soil textures is limited. The compound is not expected to volatilize. Groundwater monitoring studies under European regulatory programs have shown low detection frequencies when application is restricted to registered uses; the major exposure route is spray drift rather than runoff. The freeze-thaw stability of 75% SL must be confirmed after storage at −20 °C for 14 days; some formulations require re-dissolution of crystalline sediment with recirculation before spraying.
Chlorocholine chloride is chemically stable under acidic and neutral conditions but should not be combined with strong anionic surfactants at high concentration, because quaternary ammonium cations can form insoluble complexes that clog nozzle screens. Formulators mitigate this with nonionic wetting agents. In spray tanks, the order of addition matters: chlorocholine chloride SL should be added after buffering or compatibilizing agents and before emulsifiable concentrates. The spray solution must be agitated continuously; if left static for more than 30 min, phase separation can occur in hard water above 500 mg/L calcium carbonate equivalent. Filter screens of 50–80 mesh are common on field sprayers; finer screens below 100 mesh increase the risk of plugging when hard water is used.
The compound is compatible with many cereal fungicides based on prothioconazole, tebuconazole, and azoxystrobin, but jar tests are required because adjuvants vary. It is not a desiccant and should not be used as a harvest aid. It also has no curative effect on existing lodging; applications after visible stem buckling do not restore vertical culm orientation. Sprayer decontamination after chlorocholine chloride use requires triple rinsing with water and a nonionic detergent. Quaternary ammonium residues are not volatile, but dried residues can react with subsequent tank loads of anionic herbicides and form precipitates. Equipment with stainless steel or HDPE tanks is preferred; mild steel tanks without protective lining can develop corrosion at the liquid line after repeated exposure to 75% SL because the formulation contains free chloride ions. Spray boom components made of EPDM or Viton are compatible; natural rubber gaskets may swell after extended contact.
