Chemical compound daminozide (C₆H₁₂N₂O₃) is a chemical sprayed on fruit trees to regulate their growth so the entire crop can be harvested at one time.
Daminozide was one of the first plant growth retardants (PGRs) registered for use on agricultural crops. It was first registered in 1963 for use on potted chrysanthemums and was later approved for use on food crops. Although it is still commonly used on ornamentals, its use on food crops was withdrawn in 1990 due to possible health risks.
Currently, there are two major commercial products available in the United States and Canada that contain daminozide: B-Nine (from OHP) and Dazide (from Fine Americas). Both come as a water-soluble granule containing 85 percent of the active ingredient.
Once daminozide enters leaf tissue however, it quickly moves throughout the plant to inhibit subsequent extension growth of stems and leaves.
For more info, refer to GPNMag.com's Successful Use of the PGR Daminozide.
For further details about daminozide including its structure, identification, toxicity, safety and hazards, visit pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov.