Profenofos 720 g/L EC

Mode of Action

• Mechanism: Inhibits acetylcholinesterase in insects, leading to neurotransmitter (acetylcholine) accumulation → continuous nerve firing → paralysis and death.
• Multi-Action:
  • Contact & Stomach Poison: Affects pests via direct contact or ingestion.
  • Ovicidal: Kills insect eggs, disrupting pest life cycles.
• Penetration: Rapidly absorbed by plant leaves for systemic-like activity.

Target Pests & Crops

Formulations & Packaging

• Single-Active Formulations:
  • EC (Emulsifiable Concentrate): 40% EC, 720g/L EC (most common), 5% EC.
• Combined Formulations:
  • Profenofos + Cypermethrin (400g/L + 40g/L EC)
  • Profenofos + Emamectin Benzoate (15% + 0.5% EC)
  • Profenofos 15% + Emamectin Benzoate 0.5% EC
  • Profenofos 35% + Spirodiclofen 15% EC
• Packaging:
  • 1L, 5L, 20L bottles (EC formulations)
  • Bulk: 200L drums, 1000L IBCs (for commercial orders)

Key Features & Benefits

1. Broad-Spectrum Control: Effective against aphids, thrips, whiteflies, mites, and lepidopteran larvae.
2. Ovicidal Activity: Reduces pest populations by targeting eggs, ideal for integrated pest management (IPM).
3. Fast Action: Visible pest control within 24–48 hours of application.
4. Crop Safety: Low phytotoxicity when used at recommended rates; suitable for sensitive crops like cotton and vegetables.
5. Flexible Use: Compatible with tank mixes (e.g., with pyrethroids for enhanced efficacy).

Application Guidelines

• Timing:
  • Apply at early infestation stages to prevent population explosion.
  • For cotton bollworms, spray during egg-laying and larval stages.
• Mixing:
  • Dilute in water according to crop and pest (e.g., 100 ml of 720g/L EC per 100 L water for vegetables).
  • Avoid mixing with alkaline pesticides or fertilizers.
• Environmental Notes:
  • Toxic to fish and aquatic life; keep 100 meters away from water bodies.
  • Moderate soil persistence (half-life: 1–2 weeks); avoid overuse in rotational crops.

Safety & Handling

• Personal Protection: Wear gloves, goggles, and respiratory masks; avoid skin contact or inhalation.
• Storage: Store in cool, dry conditions; keep away from food, feed, and heat sources.
• Precautions:
  • Toxic to bees; avoid spraying during flowering periods.
  • Dispose of empty containers properly; do not contaminate water sources.

Regulatory & Technical Notes

• IRAC Group: 1B (organophosphates); rotate with other modes of action (e.g., pyrethroids, neonicotinoids) to prevent resistance.
• Residue Limits: Complies with EU MRLs (e.g., 0.05–0.5 mg/kg for fruits/vegetables) and USDA standards.

Profenofos FAQ

1. What is Profenofos?
   • Profenofos is an organophosphate insecticide and acaricide. Its chemical name is (RS)-(O – 4 – bromo – 2 – chlorophenyl O – ethyl S – propyl phosphorothioate), with the molecular formula C₁₁H₁₅BrClO₃PS and a molecular weight of 373.63 g/mol. It is used to control a wide variety of pests, especially chewing and sucking insects, as well as mites in various crops.
2. How does Profenofos work?
   • It inhibits acetylcholinesterase in insects. When insects are exposed to Profenofos, the accumulation of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine occurs due to the inhibition of acetylcholinesterase. This leads to continuous nerve firing, which in turn causes paralysis and eventually death of the insects. It has contact, stomach, and ovicidal action. It can also penetrate plant leaves, providing a translaminar effect.
3. What pests does Profenofos control?
   • It is effective against pests such as aphids, lygus bugs, cotton bollworms, tobacco budworms, leaf webbers, cotton leaf – perforators, beet armyworms, whiteflies (suppression), spider mites, and caterpillars. It is widely used in crops like cotton, maize, tobacco, sugarbeet, soybeans, potatoes, and ornamentals including jasmine.
4. What are the common formulations of Profenofos?
   • The common single – active formulations include Emulsifiable Concentrate (EC) such as 40% EC, 720g/L EC, and 5% EC. There are also combined formulations like Profenofos + Cypermethrin (400g/L + 40g/L EC) and Profenofos + Emamectin Benzoate (15% + 0.5% EC).
5. How should Profenofos be applied?
   • For foliar application, the dosage varies depending on the crop and pest. For example, in cotton, 100 – 200 ml/ha of 720g/L EC may be used; for vegetables, 1 – 2 L/ha of 40% EC might be applied. It should be diluted in water according to the recommended rate. Application should be done at the early infestation stages. Avoid mixing it with alkaline pesticides or fertilizers.
6. Is Profenofos safe for beneficial insects?
   • Profenofos is toxic to bees. It is important to avoid spraying during the flowering periods of crops to protect bees. The impact on other beneficial insects varies, but in general, as an organophosphate, it can be harmful to non – target insects if not used properly.
7. What are the safety precautions when using Profenofos?
   • Personal Protection: Wear gloves, goggles, and respiratory masks. Avoid skin contact and inhalation.
   • Environmental Safety: It is toxic to fish and aquatic life. Keep at least 100 meters away from water bodies. Avoid spraying in windy conditions to prevent drift.
   • Storage: Store in cool, dry conditions, away from food, feed, and heat sources.
   • Disposal: Dispose of empty containers properly; do not contaminate water sources.
8. What are the symptoms of Profenofos poisoning?
   • Acute poisoning may occur within 12 hours of exposure, especially if ingested. Mild symptoms include headache, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, excessive sweating, weakness, chest tightness, blurred vision, and poor appetite. In more severe cases, symptoms can progress to include difficulty breathing, muscle tremors, pinpoint pupils, mental confusion, unsteady walking, profuse sweating, salivation, abdominal pain, diarrhea, coma, convulsions, and respiratory paralysis.
9. How to treat Profenofos poisoning?
   • If inhaled, move the patient to a well – ventilated area. If in contact with the skin or eyes, rinse with plenty of water for at least 15 minutes. In case of ingestion, induce vomiting (only if the patient is conscious), and then perform gastric lavage and catharsis. Atropine and pralidoxime can be used for treatment, while morphine, theophylline, phenothiazines, and reserpine should be avoided.
10. What is the pre – harvest interval (PHI) for Profenofos?

• The pre – harvest interval varies depending on the crop. In general, it is important to follow the label instructions. For example, in some crops, it may be around 14 days, but this can differ. Always check the product label for the specific PHI of the crop you are treating to ensure compliance with food safety standards.

11. Can Profenofos be used in organic farming?

• Profenofos is not approved for use in organic farming as it is a synthetic organophosphate pesticide. Organic farming typically requires the use of natural and approved organic pest control methods.

12. How to manage resistance to Profenofos?

• Since Profenofos belongs to the IRAC Group 1B (organophosphates), it is important to rotate it with pesticides from other modes of action, such as pyrethroids, neonicotinoids, or insecticides with different chemical classes. This helps prevent the development of resistance in pest population