Maleic hydrazide explained

Maleic hydrazide, often known by the brand name Fazor is a plant growth regulator that reduces growth through preventing cell division but not cell enlargement.^{[1] [2]} It is applied to the foliage of potato, onion, garlic and carrot crops to prevent sprouting during storage.^[3] It can also be used to control volunteer potatoes that are left in the field during harvesting.^[4] It was first identified in the 1940s but was not used commercially in the United Kingdom until 1984. The banning of chlorpropham as a sprout suppressant in 2019 has led renewed interest in how maleic hydrazide can be used in potatoes.^[5]

Notes and References

1. Schoene . D. L. . Hoffmann . O. L. . Maleic Hydrazide, a Unique Growth Regulant . Science . 1949-06-10 . 109 . 2841 . 588–590 . 10.1126/science.109.2841.588-a. 17835381 . 1949Sci...109..588S .
2. Nooden . Larry D. . The Mode of Action of Maleic Hydrazide: Inhibition of Growth . Physiologia Plantarum . February 1969 . 22 . 2 . 260–270 . 10.1111/j.1399-3054.1969.tb07375.x. 2027.42/74891 . free .
3. Peer review of the pesticide risk assessment of the active substance maleic hydrazide . EFSA Journal . June 2016 . 14 . 6 . 10.2903/j.efsa.2016.4492. free .
4. Buckley . Denis . Maleic Hydrazide in potato volunteer control . . August 2006 . 8 June 2021.
5. Cunnington . Adrian . Maleic hydrazide as a potato sprout suppressant . May 2019 . 8 June 2021. AHDB Potatoes.