GIBBERELLIC ACID KITS and SUPPLIES

Kits and Supplies
Gibberellic Acid-3 Information Sheet
GA-3 Quick-Start Instructions
Is GA-3 Natural and Organic?
Safety

We are the original home of GA-3 and GA-3 Kits made available to the public for seed germination. Other sites copy our Gibberellic Acid Information and Instructions on their websites, and sell kits of varying quality and value, but rest assured that you have come to the original source!

Gibberellic Acid-3 (GA-3) is a naturally occurring plant growth regulator which may cause a variety of effects including the stimulation of seed germination in some cases. GA-3 occurs naturally in the seeds of many species and is produced commercially by growing Gibberella fujikuroi fungus cultures in vats, then extracting and purifying the GA-3. Presoaking seeds in GA-3 solution will in many cases cause the rapid germination of many types of highly dormant seeds which would otherwise need cold treatment, after-ripening or ageing, or other prolonged pretreatments. Many different types of dormancy are overcome with GA-3, and we are having excellent results with many ordinarily difficult seeds, including some types which we have never before succeeded with. Not all seeds respond well. A great deal of research needs to be done to determine which species benefit, and the proper concentration of GA-3 for each type. We are pleased to offer the following kits which contain everything you need to presoak seeds and study GA-3 effects.

For information on using GA-3 to germinate seed, see our Gibberellic Acid Information Sheet, below, and our GA-3 Quick-Start Instructions.

GA-3 is safe to use. It is naturally present in many foods, is routinely sprayed on food crops, and is approved by most organic certification programs.

Sold for the study of seed germination only.

NEW LOWER KIT PRICES
I've dropped the filter paper from the kits because it was becoming too expensive. This significantly lowers prices. Just use coffee filters. They work just as well and are way cheaper!

—GA-3 BASIC KIT: $10.00, plus postage and packing.
ADD Postage and Packing: USA: $6.00, Canada: $15.00, All other countries: $17.00 for Airmail. Shipping weight 5 ounces.
Contains two 100mg packets of 90% pure GA-3, each packet being sufficient to treat about 50 - 100 packets, or 100 to 200 grams (3 - 7 ounces) of seed, depending on type. Includes two 125ml poly bottles for the 500ppm and 1000ppm stock solutions, 100 2x2" zip poly bags for the presoak, dispo-pipettes, dispo-gloves, culture tubes, and full instructions.

—GA-3 ADVANCED KIT: $50.00, plus postage and packing.
ADD Postage and Packing: USA: $17.00, Canada: $22.00, All Other Countries: $29.00 for Airmail. Shipping weight 2 1/2 pounds (40 ounces).
Contains one 1000mg packet of 90% pure GA-3, sufficient to treat 500 - 1000 packets, or 1000 - 2000 grams (35 - 70 ounces) of seed, depending on type. Includes two 1000ml dispensing bottles for the 500ppm and 1000ppm stock solutions, 300 2x2" zip poly bags for the presoak, 20 6ml culture tubes, 20 60mm petri dishes, dispo-pipettes, dispo-gloves, and full instructions.

90% GA-3 PREMEASURED PACKETS
Full instructions included. If ordered along with seeds, they count as one packet for figuring postage. If GA-3 is ordered alone, postage for small packets of GA-3 is $1.50 for all countries, and postage on 5 and 10 gram packages: $5.00 to the U.S., $16.00 to Canada, $17.00 to all other countries.

For More Information on GA-3:
Your best source of information on the germination of seeds is 'Seed Germination, Theory and Practice' by Norm Deno. It lists 4000 species and gives pretreatments if any, and detailed instructions on the use of GA-3. Two supplements listing additional species have been published. This book will absolutely increase your success with seeds! NOTE: We do not sell Deno's book - and Deno has ceased publishing. The book is now available as a PDF Download from the USDA National Agriculture Library:

Seed Germination: Theory and Practice (12 mb)
http://hdl.handle.net/10113/41278

First Supplement to Seed Germination: Theory and Practice (5 mb)
http://hdl.handle.net/10113/41279

Second Supplement to Seed Germination: Theory and Practice (5 mb)
http://hdl.handle.net/10113/41277

GIBBERELLIC ACID-3 INFORMATION SHEET

THE HISTORY, ORIGIN AND USES OF GIBBERELLINS
Gibberellins were discovered by Japanese plant pathologists studying "bakanae" disease ("foolish seedling") of rice, in which seedlings grow elongated and die. In 1898 Shotaro Hori demonstrated that it was caused by a fungus, now known as Gibberella fujikuroi. In 1926 Eiichi Kurosawa reported that a chemical produced by the fungus caused the symptoms, and that the substance was heat-resistant, not losing its activity after 4 hours at 100°C (212°F). In 1935 Teijiro Yabuta first isolated a non-crystalline solid and named it Gibberellin. In 1938, Yabuta and Yusuke Sumiki first isolated a crystalline compound from the cultured fungus.

Since this time, 79 different gibberellins have been isolated, many of these from the seeds of a wide variety of species. Gibberellic acid-3 (GA-3) is the most widely used, and is produced commercially by growing the fungus in huge vats and then extracting and purifying the GA-3.

Many different gibberellins are present in common plants. Rice contains fourteen GAs, and rice anthers contain up to 3.4 micrograms of GA-4 per gram fresh weight. Maize (corn) seed contains twelve GAs, maize pollen 9 GAs, wheat and barley contain 5, and 4 day old wheat seedlings contain 11. GAs are produced in the roots of onions and act as bulb suppressants, preventing the swelling of the bulb until the proper time. GAs control sex differentiation in cucurbits, spinach, hemp, and maize. GAs control shoot elongation in many plants, and dwarf forms of some plants are due to GA deficiencies. Developing peach seeds are rich in GA-32 and extracts have been used to induce flowering in Xanthium and Perilla. Ferns produce GA-related compounds called antheridiogens which trigger antheridia formation.

Gibberellins are used in agriculture for various purposes. GA-3 is sprayed on seedless grapes to increase grape size and yield, and it is used on navel oranges, lemons, blueberries, sweet and tart cherries, artichokes and other crops to decrease or increase fruit set, delay rind ageing, etc. These effects are highly dependent on concentration and stage of plant growth. For example, 0.02 micrograms GA-3 promotes flowering of dwarf Ipomoea nil, but 2 - 20 micrograms inhibits flowering. Ten micrograms of GA-3 applied to pea seedlings nearly doubled shoot length if applied at 3 days old, but barely affected 9 day old seedlings. GA-3 and GA-13 trigger female cone formation in almost all Taxodiaceae and Cupressaceae—an 8 month old seedling of Sequoiadendron produced a female cone after weekly GA applications. Extremely small amounts of GAs may cause effects- as little as 2 nanograms (billionths of a gram) can trigger cone formation in a Cupressus arizonica shoot-tip. The Pinaceae do not form cones with GA-3, but need GA-4, 7 and 9. This property is used to speed up tree-breeding programs. GA is used to trigger flowering of sweet potatoes in breeding programs, to help tomatoes set fruit at high temperatures in the tropics, and to stimulate flowering in the Araceae, such as in breeding taro. GA-3 applied to seed of chinese cabbage overcomes the need for chilling or long days to trigger flowering, so is used in the tropics for breeding.

Developing seeds are active sites of GA biosynthesis, and studies have found increases in GA levels in seeds during cold treatment and germination. The germination of old seeds has been improved with use of GA. Applied GA-3 may trigger dormant seed germination, in many cases overcoming the need for special or prolonged dormancy-breaking conditions such as cold. treatment, light, after-ripening, etc. We have designed these kits for the study of this effect.

EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN AND RECORD KEEPING
While many ordinarily difficult seeds will readily germinate using GA-3, it may kill other seeds or produce badly etiolated (elongated) seedlings that will not survive. Some species will be killed by 1000ppm (parts per million), not affected by 500ppm, but 750ppm will produce healthy seedlings. The aim of your research is to determine which species benefit, and what treatment will produce healthy, normal seedlings and plants. Each type of seed should have a control - a test of untreated seed to compare against the GA-3 treated test. Otherwise, you will have no way of knowing whether GA-3 made a difference. We keep records on 3x5 cards, with the name of the plant, seed source and date or year of harvest, the number of seeds tested, the treatment given, and the date test begun. As the seeds germinate, the number of seedlings, their condition and the date are recorded on the card. Often we record the control test on the left side and the GA-3 test on the right side of the same card, for easy comparison. Once GA-3 is found to help a particular species, the next step is to test different concentrations to find the best solution to use. Please share your results with us! Follow-up observations should include whether the plants develop, mature and bloom normally, since occasionally GA-3 will cause lifetime effects in the plant, as we have seen with the chinese cabbage mentioned. Also note that if GA-3 is used for many generations of a plant, this may cause natural selection and result in a strain that will not germinate without added GA-3.

Your best source of information on the germination of seeds is 'Seed Germination, Theory and Practice' by Norm Deno. It lists 4000 species and gives pretreatments if any, and detailed instructions on the use of GA-3. Two supplements listing additional species have been published. This book will absolutely increase your success with seeds! NOTE: We do not sell Deno's book - and Deno has ceased publishing. The book is now available as a PDF Download from the USDA National Agriculture Library:

Seed Germination: Theory and Practice (12 mb)
http://hdl.handle.net/10113/41278

First Supplement to Seed Germination: Theory and Practice (5 mb)
http://hdl.handle.net/10113/41279

Second Supplement to Seed Germination: Theory and Practice (5 mb)
http://hdl.handle.net/10113/41277

THE DENO METHOD
Developed by Dr. Norman Deno, this method dispenses with making stock solutions, so you may store the powdered GA-3 for long periods, and avoid discarding unused solution. For full details you should consult Deno's book. Briefly, a high wet-strength paper towel is folded in half 3 times to give a pad about 2 1/2 x 4 1/2" and is moistened with water. The last fold is opened, and a 3 x 3" piece of polyethylene cut from a plastic bag is placed in the center. A 2 1/2 x 2 1/2" piece of toweling is folded into a pad 1/2 x 1" and moistened with about 6 drops of water, and this is placed on the polyethylene. The seeds are placed on this inner pad and 1 cubic millimeter of the GA-3 powder is sprinkled on the pad. "This amount of GA-3 is about the amount that can be balanced on the 1/2mm tip of a toothpick using a type of toothpick that is pointed at both ends."—Deno. This produces about a 1000ppm solution, and the outer pad is placed in a plastic bag and provides the humidity to prevent the inner pad from drying out. The amount of GA-3 can be varied as well as the time of exposure. The seeds can be germinated directly on the pad and removed as soon as they sprout to avoid overexposure. Advantages of this method are ease and extreme efficiency of use of GA-3. The disadvantage is variation in concentration of GA-3 due to difficulties 'eyeballing' the amount on the end of the toothpick. For slightly larger amounts of seed, I have used a paperclip with one end bent outwards and flattened with a hammer, and the tip bent at right angles to form a tiny scoop measuring slightly over lx2mm. A rounded pile of GA-3 on this is about 1 milligram, which is added to 1 ml (about 17 - 20 drops) to make 1000ppm. Again, everyone should get Deno's book!

THE BERTRAND METHOD
Developed by Stephen Bertrand, proprietor of The Perennial Flower Farm in northern Iowa, this is an efficient method for treating large numbers of seeds. Unbleached or oxygen-process whitened (chlorine-free) coffee filters are cut into 3" squares (larger for larger amounts of seed), and folded diagonally. The seed is placed in the center, the ends folded towards the center, and the top folded over and tucked in (jewelers fold). The name of the seed or a number can be written on the fold with indelible pen. GA-3 solution is placed in the wells of a small plastic cocktail-type ice cube tray (the type for tiny cubes), or in a regular ice cube tray for large amounts of seed. Each seed fold is placed in a well to wick. up the solution. If different concentrations of GA-3 are being tested at the same time, only every other well is used, to prevent cross-mixing. After 24 hours the folds are removed, blotted dry on a pad of toweling, and either sown or placed in new folds for pre-chilling (cold treatment) as described in Deno's book. The advantage of this method is that the GA-3 concentration can be accurately controlled, a necessity for certain seeds. The disadvantage is that the solution will eventually break down, resulting in decreasing concentrations or waste of solution.

PREPARING SOLUTIONS
The basic stock solution of 1000ppm (parts per million) is prepared by dissolving GA-3 in water at a rate of 1mg (milligram, one thousandth of a gram) in 1 ml (milliliter, one thousandth of a liter). Therefore, a 100mg packet is dissolved in 100ml of water or a little less than 1/2 cup (0.42 cup), a 500mg packet in 500ml (2.1 cups), or a 1000mg (=1 gram) packet in 1000ml (=1 liter, or about 1 quart plus 1 cup) water. Distilled water is best. Home measuring cups are often not accurate - I tested one with very accurate-looking scales on the side, and found it off by 20%! Good quality Pyrex glass measuring cups seem most accurate. GA-3 is slow to dissolve and may need prolonged stirring. You can just stir it in, then leave it overnight and it should be dissolved by morning. Some workers dissolve it first in a tiny amount of acetone or rubbing alcohol, then add the water. Other concentrations are prepared by diluting this stock solution. To make 500ppm, mix equal amounts of 1000ppm and water. To make 750ppm, mix equal amounts of 1000ppm and 500ppm. To make 375ppm, mix equal parts 750ppm and water, and so on. Tiny amounts of these dilutions for individual tests may be made up drop-wise - five drops 1000ppm plus five drops water to make 500ppm, etc.

Many workers use 1000ppm for everything, but this may be too strong for many seeds. Stephen Bertrand, after many years experience using GA-3, reports that he uses 500ppm for most species, due to less trouble with excessive elongation of seedlings, followed by 1000ppm, and lesser amounts of the 750ppm and 375ppm solutions. With many seeds, he says that a few in each lot will etiolate (elongate excessively), and the trick is to find the solution giving the most healthy seedlings.

Solutions of GA-3 are said to break down with time or exposure to sunlight, so store in a dark place. Kept in the dark it stores for years. We have tested solution stored at room temperature for 4 years and found it fully active.

USING YOUR KIT
Read the Bertrand Method and the Deno Method, and decide which you want to use. If you use the Deno Method, do not prepare the solutions. Prepare a work area by laying down newspaper to catch spills. Each kit contains two bottles, marked 500ppm and 1000ppm. Each bottle has two marks on the side; at 50ml and 100ml in the small kit, and at 500ml and 1000ml in the large kit. Place the contents of one GA-3 package in the bottle labeled 1000ppm, and fill with water to the top mark. Shake or leave overnight till dissolved, making the 1000ppm solution. To prepare the 500ppm solution, pour half the 1000ppm solution into the other bottle, filling it to the lower mark. Add water to fill to the upper mark, making 500ppm. Store solutions away from sunlight, and out of reach of children.

In our adaptation of the Bertrand Method, the seeds are folded up in the filter paper circles, placed in the 2x2" poly bags, and the appropriate solution added. Use enough to completely wet the seeds and paper and leave extra for the seeds to absorb. For larger amounts of seed, place in a culture tube and add solution to 1 1/2 times seed depth. Leave seed for 24 hours and add solution if needed. Most seeds absorb about their own weight, but some absorb much more, up to 20 times their own weight. Culture tubes should be kept horizontal to prevent seeds from jamming in the tube as they swell. After 24 hours the papers and seed are removed and blotted dry and sown as per the Bertrand Method, or germinated on toweling as per the Deno Method. Alternate dilutions can be prepared drop-wise with the dispo-pipettes, which average about 20 drops per milliliter, and are marked on the side in 1/10th ml increments. Best to mark your pipettes 1000, 500, etc. to prevent inadvertent mixing. The GA-3-1000 Advanced Kits include petri dishes for germinating seeds which require light on a pad of moist filter paper. Avoid excessive moisture.

OTHER AREAS FOR RESEARCH
Potassium nitrate (KNO3) is often used to stimulate germination of dormant or irregular seeds. It can replace the light requirement of some pines. The seeds are soaked in a 1000 to 3000ppm solution (1 - 3 grams per liter), or are germinated on pads soaked in this solution. Concentration is not crucial, so 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon per quart is fine. It is about 6 grams per teaspoon. In our tests, some seeds which normally give seedlings over 3 months have all come up in a month with KNO3.

Hydrogen peroxide stimulates many species. Seeds are soaked in a 1 - 3% solution for 5 minutes to 48 hours for hard seeds. We have had very good results.

Presoaking seeds in malt extract solution or in beer may increase germination and vigor, especially of old seeds, due to enzyme enrichment. Higher resistance to damping off and higher yields have been reported. Other sources of enzymes include digestive aids (bromelain, papain, etc, available at health food stores), enzyme cleaners for contact lenses, and enzyme drain-cleaning products.

Citric acid is available in the canning section of the grocery, and has been used at 1000ppm to stimulate the germination of some species.

Sodium hypochlorite (household bleach) has been used in a 1% solution for a one-hour presoak to stimulate germination of some species. Mix one part bleach with 4 1/4 parts water for a 1% solution. A ten minute soak in one part bleach plus one part water is an FDA approved seed disinfectant.

Smoke and charred-wood leachate (water in which charred wood has been soaked) may stimulate germination of plants from fire-prone habitats with hot, dry summers, such as the Mediterranean, California, South Africa and Australia. For a list of genera that have responded to smoke treatment, click here: Smoke Genera.

GA-3 is sometimes used in very low concentrations, from 1 ppm to 150 ppm, to promote the germination of non-dormant seeds such as rice.

Combined treatments such as KNO3 plus GA-3, or hydrogen peroxide plus GA-3 have given higher germination than either treatment alone. Testing these substances in various combinations is enough for a lifetime of interesting research!

SAFETY
GA-3 is a natural organic compound, and its use is approved by most organic certification agencies.

GA-3 is considered 'relatively non-toxic'. According to the MSDS (Material Safety Data Sheet), the LD50 (lethal dose 50) or the dose which kills 50% of the test animals, is 1000 to 25,000 milligrams per kilogram of body weight in mice, dogs and rats. Applied to humans, this would mean a 75 kilogram (165 pound) person could be killed by consuming between 75 and 1875 grams (2.6 ounces to about 4 pounds) of the 90% GA-3 powder. "In reproductive studies in rats, no maternal or fetal toxicity, or other adverse effects to the fetus were noted following large doses (1000mg/kg/day) of gibberellic acid."—MSDS. The powder may cause eye irritation; in case of contact, flush with plenty of water.

Reporting this information does not imply our endorsement of animal testing!

The relative non-toxicity of GA-3 and its use on food crops should not encourage careless handling - always keep out of reach of children, avoid contact with skin, eyes and clothing, wash hands after using, or use rubber gloves. Do not use on food crops or for any other purpose than seed germination research. Properly dispose of toweling or filter papers after use, thoroughly wash implements, then rinse with vinegar, then rinse again. Do not contaminate soil - GA-3 is highly persistent and bioactive and may remain in soil for some months and affect plant growth. A healthy organic soil with strong microbial growth will probably break it down fastest. Plants vary widely in their sensitivity to GA-3. Remember that while GA-3 is sprayed on table grapes at a rate of 1 milligram per 1.7 square feet (26 grams per acre), that same milligram could cause cone formation on 500,000 Cupressus shoots. Remember that while GA-3 is naturally present in common foods like corn, it is only in billionth of a gram quantities.

Obey all local, state and federal laws regarding use or disposal of this product!

We accept no liability for use of this product or information! Have a nice day!

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Deno, N. 1993. Seed Germination, Theory and Practice, Second Edition. Availability.

Takahashi, N., B. Phinney and J. MacMillan, Editors. 1991. Gibberellins. SpringerVerlag, New York.

PLEASE SHARE YOUR RESULTS WITH US.

[ Home ] [ Catalog ] [ Out of Stock ] [ To Our Clients ] [ How To Request Seeds ] [ Gibberellic Acid ] [ Darwin ] [ Seed Exchange ] [ Search ] [ How to Germinate Seed ] [ Links ] [ Argyreia I.D. ] [ Other Sources ] [ Natives Vs. Exotics ] [ Essays ] [ How to Pronounce Botanical Names ] [ Statement of Purpose ] [ Hugh Thompson ] [ J.L.Hudson, Seedsman Site Map ] [ Internships ]