It  is a colourless to yellow-brown liquid with a characteristic unpleasant odour. It is generally prepared by combining O,O-dimethyl phosphorodithioate with diethyl maleate. It is soluble in most organic solvents except paraffin hydrocarbons and is practically insoluble in water. Malathion is readily decomposed by alkalies. The chemical works by binding to the enzyme acetylcholinesterase (AChE) at nerve endings, thus disrupting the neurotransmitter acetylcholine (ACh) and ultimately causing death.

Malathion is highly toxic to bees and other beneficial insects, aquatic invertebrates, and some species of fish, notably bluegill and largemouth bass. It is of moderate toxicity to birds.

Property:

• Apperance:  red-brown or light yellow. Transparent oil liquid,witha little specific odor.
• Donesity: 1.32-1.34g/cm3(25°C)
• Solubility: It's solubility in water at room temperature is about 14mg/L, soluble in most organic solvents, slightly sobuble in prtroleum ehter.
• Vapor Pressure: 18mPa/20°C
• Stability: Relatively stable to room temperature. Easily decomposed in solution of strong base.

Specificaations:

• Fenitrothion : purity 96.5%
• Acidity(as H2SO4): 0.3% by mass (Max)
• Wate content: 0.2% by mass(Max) (Karl Fischer)

Biological activity:
 

• Fonitrothion has contact activit, is an efficient, broad spectrum insecticide of low toxicity. To rat it's oralacute LD50 is LD50 is 800mg/kg. It's acute dermal LD50 to rat is 890mg/kg(male),1200mg/kg(eat).

Main consequences of boron deficiency in plants and trees, which can be easily seen, are as below

Leaves become misshapen, small, thick and brittle,
Growing points start dying
Watery patches develop in storage tissues
Fruit development is irregular and misshapen
Root growth is impaired

The best way to detect the boron deficiency is soil tests without causing any adverse effect on growth and yield.

Correcting Boron Deficiency

Boron deficiency can be remedied by correct & timely application of Agrisol B Fertilizer range. Agrisol B-Fertilizers containing varied amounts of Boron (as B) ranging from 11% upto 20% in all physical forms (Crystal, Crystalline, Granules & Powder) & customized packings to suit the needs of the farmers & bulk fertilizer industry. Application of Boronated / Boron blended bulk fertilizers like Boronated SSP, Boronated NPK, Boronated DAP etc. is another effective way of correcting boron deficiency.

AGRISOL B 11 (Boron 11%) standard borate commonly used for direct soil application, foliar spray or blending with bulk / liquid fertilizers & micronutrient mixtures.
 
AGRISOL B 11 S (Boron 11%) standard granular borate used for direct soil application or blending with bulk granulated fertilizers.
 
AGRISOL B 15 (Boron 15%) special borate for all fertilizer applications.
 
AGRISOL B 15 S (Boron 15%) special granular borate for direct soil application or blending with bulk granulated fertilizers.
 
AGRISOL B 20 (Boron 20%) highly soluble borate powder for blending with other liquid fertilizers, pesticides used for foliar spray, drip or fertigation.
 
AGRISOL B 11 (Boron 11%) slow release natural mineral borate for soil application.