Pencycuron: what buyers are asking in 2025 and what the lab data actually says

If you work in seed treatment or potato storage, you already know how fast the market has shifted. Label changes here, supply squeezes there, and—surprisingly—more scrutiny on analytical data than packaging artwork. That’s exactly why I’ve been watching
Pencycuron so closely: it’s a niche fungicide that keeps coming up in sourcing meetings and QA calls.

Industry trend in a nutshell

Demand is steady in potatoes, vegetables, and turf, with users prioritizing clean seed and reduced Rhizoctonia pressure. Procurement teams now ask for batch-level HPLC chromatograms (not just a COA), and—actually—more are requesting third-party confirmations (SGS/Intertek) before release. Sustainability? It’s on the agenda, but performance and residue predictability still rule.

Technical snapshot and specs

There’s occasional confusion about appearance. The technical active is typically a white crystalline solid, while certain formulated products (e.g., SC/FS) can present as tinted liquids—so yes, you might hear “red liquid” in plant chatter, but that’s the formulation, not the neat active.

Parameter	Typical value (≈, real-world use may vary)
CAS No.	66063-05-6
Molecular weight	328.84
Appearance	White crystalline solid (TC); formulations may be colored liquids
LogP (octanol/water)	5.39
PSA	32.34 Ų
Solubility	Soluble in dichloromethane; slightly soluble in toluene; practically insoluble in water
Melting point	129–134 °C
Boiling point	≈528.5 °C (760 mmHg)
Density (formulation ref.)	≈1.22 g/cm³
Refractive index (formulation ref.)	≈1.619
Storage	Cool, dry, ventilated; segregate from food/feed; original sealed drum

Process flow, QA, and service life

• Materials: aromatic intermediates and isocyanate/urea chemistry (high-level), controlled to limit chlorinated residues.
• Methods: TC crystallization and filtration → drying → formulation (SC/FS/WDG) → milling to target D50.
• Testing standards: Assay by HPLC; water by Karl Fischer; wet-sieving (CIPAC MT methods); pH; suspensibility; storage stability (54 °C, 14 d) per FAO/WHO guidance.
• Service life: 2–3 years (sealed, away from heat and moisture); always verify real shelf-life with retained samples.
• Industries: Seed treatment (potato, vegetables), turf management, ornamental nurseries.

Applications and advantages

Pencycuron is widely used against Rhizoctonia spp. in seed tubers and nursery trays. Many customers say it offers reliable protection at planting with good compatibility in multi-AI slurries. It’s primarily a protectant with residual activity; think clean emergence and less black scurf. Always follow local labels—regulatory status and rates vary by country.

Typical QC release (TC/FS)

• Assay (HPLC): ≥98.0% (TC) or per label claim for SC/FS
• Water: ≤0.5% (TC)
• Insolubles: ≤0.3%
• Particle size (formulations): D50 ≈ 2–5 μm
• Heavy metals/residual solvents: per internal SOP; third-party check on request

Vendor comparison (what buyers compare first)

Vendor	Certifications	Purity (TC)	Lead time	Customization
Hebei Jrain, No. 66 Xiangtai Rd, Yuhua, Shijiazhuang, China	ISO 9001/14001/45001 (vendor-declared)	≥98.0% (typ.)	≈2–4 weeks ex-works	TC, 20–25% FS/SC, private label, COA+SDS+MSDS
Vendor A (regional blender)	ISO 9001	≈97–98%	3–5 weeks	Formulations only; limited pack sizes
Vendor B (trader)	Docs on request	Batch dependent	Stock-based	Repacking; limited QC support

Customization and packaging

Pencycuron is commonly shipped as 95% TC in fiber drums or as 20–25% FS/SC in HDPE cans/IBCs. Buyers often request: custom viscosity windows for seed-treater pumps, anti-foam packages, and colorants (yes, to visualize coverage). COA + full chromatograms and retained-sample policy are increasingly standard.

Case notes from the field

In a 240-ha potato program (Eastern Europe, cool spring), a pencycuron-based FS in a three-way seed blend cut Rhizoctonia incidence by ≈38% versus untreated and improved grade-out by ~2.1%. Storage rots were notably lower. Feedback from the agronomist: “low dust, stable slurry, no nozzle clogging.” It’s one trial, of course, but consistent with what many customers say.

Compliance, labels, and where to check

Regulatory status differs by market. Before buying or selling, confirm national approvals, MRLs, and any phase-out timelines. For specs and testing approaches, FAO/WHO sources and EU/ECHA databases are your best first checks.

Selected references

1. PubChem Compound Summary: Pencycuron. https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/Pencycuron
2. FAO/WHO Joint Meeting on Pesticide Specifications and Residues (JMPS/JMPR) – Pencycuron evaluations and specification guidance. https://www.fao.org/agriculture/crops/thematic-sitemap/theme/pests/jmpr/en/
3. EU Pesticides Database – Active substance: Pencycuron (status, MRLs, endpoints). https://food.ec.europa.eu/plants/pesticides/eu-pesticides-database_en
4. ECHA information on substances – regulatory and hazard classification entries (where applicable). https://echa.europa.eu/information-on-chemicals