The answer to “Bygone spray” in the NYT Crossword is ALAR — a 4-letter plant growth regulator once sprayed on apple orchards, banned in 1989.
Why ALAR?
Alar (chemical name daminozide) was sprayed on apples to regulate growth and keep fruit on trees longer for a uniform harvest. After health concerns emerged in the late 1980s, it was voluntarily withdrawn from the U.S. market in 1989 — making it a textbook “bygone” product. The “bygone” in the clue is the giveaway: it signals something discontinued, historical, or banned.
This clue has appeared in the NYT several times, including November 6, 2011 (125-Across, Elizabeth C. Gorski’s Sunday puzzle) and December 28, 2006 (10-Down). It’s a favorite for Sunday-sized grids where a little trivia knowledge pays off.
Don’t Confuse It With DDT
Many solvers guess DDT for “bygone spray” — and it’s a reasonable instinct, since DDT was also a banned pesticide. But in NYT practice:
- “Bygone spray” → ALAR (the apple-tree growth regulator)
- DDT is clued differently, usually as “Banned pesticide” or “Bygone pesticide”
The distinction: Alar was a growth regulator sprayed on crops still growing; DDT was an insecticide. When the clue says “spray,” think ALAR.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the answer to “Bygone spray” in the NYT Crossword?
ALAR (4 letters).
What was Alar used for?
It was a plant growth regulator sprayed on apple orchards to produce uniform harvests.
Why was Alar banned?
Health concerns led to its withdrawal from the U.S. market in 1989.
Is the answer ever DDT?
Not for this exact clue — DDT is clued as a “banned pesticide,” while ALAR is the “bygone spray.”
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