Cotton Defoliant Tribufos

Get the latest Tribufos news, regulatory updates and developments covering this organophosphate pesticide used primarily as a cotton defoliant before mechanical harvesting. This tag brings together developments involving product registrations, label changes, regulatory reviews, worker-safety measures, environmental assessments, manufacturing and the use of chemical harvest aids in cotton production.

Tribufos, also known as S,S,S-tributyl phosphorotrithioate, is used to promote leaf drop in cotton ahead of harvest. Products containing the active ingredient have included Folex 6 EC and Tribufos 6, while its regulatory status varies significantly between markets. In September 2026, California’s Department of Pesticide Regulation completed additional mitigation measures, including reduced application rates and restrictions on irrigation and weeding after treatment. Australia, meanwhile, has no currently registered products containing tribufos and has not sold it as a cotton defoliant since 1990.

Find news on cotton defoliation, harvest-aid chemicals, pesticide regulation, label amendments, worker exposure, environmental monitoring and alternatives to tribufos, along with developments from regulatory agencies and the crop protection industry. Coverage also includes the continuing U.S. regulatory assessment and research concerning its environmental and health profile, providing context for cotton growers, agrochemical companies, researchers and agricultural policy professionals.