Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
January 9, 2008
Plant Health Care
(AIM: PHC.L), a leading provider of natural products for plants
and soil, will announce today, at the Beltwide Cotton
Conferences in Nashville, Tennessee that results of replicated
N-Hibit® and ProAct™ field trials in 2007 demonstrated yield
improvements in cotton of between 6% and 12% when used in
combination with nematicides.
N-Hibit® and ProAct™ are EPA registered, Harpin based products
which have, in field trials, consistently demonstrated their
efficacy in improving crop yields by reducing harmful cyst
nematodes. Harpin proteins are produced by diseases which are
harmful to plants and, as a result, the application of a Harpin
based technology, such as N-Hibit® or ProAct™, causes the plant
to behave as though being attacked, even in the absence of
disease pressure. Consequently, the plant activates its natural
self-defence and growth system, improving yield, root mass and
overall plant biomass.
Plant Health Care develops, manufacturers and markets a range of
innovative Harpin Protein-based products (Harp-N-Tek®). Harpin
based proteins have demonstrated a reduction in nematode
populations by on average 50 percent, in numerous replicated and
commercial field testing work undertaken over several years by
leading university plant pathologists and nematologists, crop
consultants and cotton producers.
Commenting on the trials, John Brady, Chief Executive of Plant
Health Care, said: “In the Company’s interim results statement,
the board highlighted its belief in the substantial commercial
potential for our Harpin technology and undertaking trials is an
important part of the development process. The agreement signed
with Monsanto in December 2007, was a significant step in
developing this exciting technology and the success of these
trials further validates the board’s belief in its potential.”
“In demonstrating such strong yield improvements in these recent
tests, particularly in conjunction with other, already
established and widely used nematicides, the prospects for
Harpin are further strengthened and the board will continue to
explore opportunities available to it in order to exploit fully
the potential of this exciting technology.”
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 United
States, Mexico, the United Kingdom, Spain, and the Netherlands.
The Company listed on the AIM market of the London Stock
Exchange in July 2004. Ticker symbol is PHC. PHC’s products are
aimed at the landscape, agriculture and land reclamation
industries and are environmentally beneficial. Through the
commercialization of these products, PHC is capitalizing on
current long-term trends toward natural systems and biological
products for plant care and soil and water
management. |
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