N-Hibit Trial Results
Plant Health Care PLC
27 July 2007
Embargoed until 7AM, 27 July 2007
Plant Health Care plc
('Plant Health Care' or 'the Company')
ASA and Plant Health Care Trials Show Early Season Benefits of Seed Treatment
The American Soybean Association (ASA) and Plant Health Care, Inc. (PHC) are
pleased to announce preliminary findings from the 'N-Hibit(TM)Partnership' Field
Trial Program. Growers on 140 farms in 22 states are participating in the
program to evaluate N-Hibit as a tool to lower Soybean Cyst Nematode pressure
and improve plant health.
'With an ever-growing global demand for soybeans, and the reduced number of
soybean acres planted in the U.S. this year, we have to find ways to grow more
soybeans on every acre planted,' said ASA Vice President Rob Joslin, a soybean
producer from Sidney, Ohio. 'Improving plant health can help us grow more
soybeans and improve our competitiveness in world markets.'
Early results from 34 of the trial sites indicate the N-Hibit treated seed is
producing greater root and plant weight, and more nodes per acre in 85 percent
of the comparisons.
'Plant weights, including root weights, were 11 to 12 percent greater with
N-Hibit-treated soybeans, implying that these plants have achieved better early
season growth,' said Dr. Ned French, PHC Director of Field Biology and
Development. 'N-Hibit treated soybeans are averaging 14 percent more nodes per
acre, which suggests improved plant establishment (plants/acre) and early season
growth (nodes/plant). More nodes per acre can be indicative of a higher
potential yield.'
Participating growers were provided a kit that included a coupon redeemable at
local seed retailers to obtain enough N-Hibit Commercial Seed Treatment to treat
up to 2,500 pounds of soybean seed. Growers were asked to use 20 to 50 acres for
the treated area and monitor an equivalent number of acres as an untreated
control.
'Data from the remaining sites is being gathered and processed,' Joslin said.
'Final results of the trials will be announced after harvest.'
The active ingredient in N-Hibit and other Harp-N-Tek(TM)products is harpin,
which is derived from naturally occurring proteins. Harpin proteins bind with
the plant's external receptors present on the seed, as well as foliage.
Harp-N-Tek products cause the plant to respond as though being attacked, and
this process 'switches' on the plant's natural self-defense and growth systems
resulting in pathogen tolerance and increased yields. Harpin proteins have an
excellent safety profile, are easy to use, and are not restricted use materials;
consequently, many worker safety issues commonly associated with the handling of
conventional pesticides are avoided with harpins.
For more information about the preliminary results of the ASA-PHC summer trials,
go to www.SoyGrowers.com/programs/phc.htm.
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For further information please contact:
Plant Heath Care plc
John Brady, Chief Executive
Tel: 001 603 525 3702
Tavistock Communications
Jeremy Carey / Simon Compton
Tel: 020 7920 3150
Evolution Securities Limited
Tim Worlledge / Tim Redfern
Tel: 020 7071 4312
Rob Joslin, ASA Vice President, 937-726-0842, robjoslin@woh.rr.com
Ned French, PHC Director of Field Research & Biology, 501-821-7094,
nfrench@planthealthcare.com
Bob Callanan, ASA Communications Director, 314-576-1770, bcallanan@soy.org
Access this release at www.SoyGrowers.com/newsroom/news.htm.
Notes to Editors:
About Plant Health Care:
Plant Health Care plc ('PHC') is a leading provider of natural products for
plants and soil. Established in 1995 in Pittsburgh (Pennsylvania) in the United
States, PHC currently has approximately 70 employees and has operations in the
US, Mexico, UK, Spain, and the Netherlands. The Company listed on the AIM market
of the London Stock Exchange in July 2004. Ticker symbol is PHC.
This information is provided by RNS
The company news service from the London Stock Exchange
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