PHC.L Regulatory News (PHC)

9 Jan 2008 09:00

Plant Health Care PLC09 January 2008 EMBARGOED: 09.00, 9 January 2008 PLANT HEALTH CARE PLC ("Plant Health Care" or "the Company") Field Trials Update - Strong commercial field trial results in Harpin based N-Hibit and ProAct - Plant Health Care (AIM: PHC.L), a leading provider of natural products forplants and soil, will announce today, at the Beltwide Cotton Conferences inNashville, Tennessee that results of replicated N-Hibit(R) and ProActTM fieldtrials in 2007 demonstrated yield improvements in cotton of between 6% and 12%when used in combination with nematicides. N-Hibit(R) and ProActTM are EPA registered, Harpin based products which have, infield trials, consistently demonstrated their efficacy in improving crop yieldsby reducing harmful cyst nematodes. Harpin proteins are produced by diseaseswhich are harmful to plants and, as a result, the application of a Harpin basedtechnology, such as N-Hibit(R) or ProActTM, causes the plant to behave as thoughbeing attacked, even in the absence of disease pressure. Consequently, the plantactivates its natural self-defence and growth system, improving yield, root massand overall plant biomass. Plant Health Care develops, manufacturers and markets a range of innovativeHarpin Protein-based products (Harp-N-Tek(R)). Harpin based proteins havedemonstrated a reduction in nematode populations by on average 50 percent, innumerous replicated and commercial field testing work undertaken over severalyears by leading university plant pathologists and nematologists, cropconsultants 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 inthe substantial commercial potential for our Harpin technology and undertakingtrials is an important part of the development process. The agreement signedwith Monsanto in December 2007, was a significant step in developing thisexciting technology and the success of these trials further validates theboard's belief in its potential." "In demonstrating such strong yield improvements in these recent tests,particularly in conjunction with other, already established and widely usednematicides, the prospects for Harpin are further strengthened and the boardwill continue to explore opportunities available to it in order to exploit fullythe potential of this exciting technology." -Ends- For further information please contact: Plant Heath Care plc Tavistock Evolution Securities Communications LimitedJohn Brady, Chief Jeremy Carey/Matt Tim Worlledge/ TimExecutive Ridsdale RedfernTel: 001 603 525 3702 Tel: 020 7920 3150 Tel: 020 7071 4300 This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock Exchange