PHC.L Regulatory News (PHC)

26 Nov 2008 07:00



26 November 2008

Plant Health Care plc ("Plant Health Care" or the "Company")

Results of the ASA Sponsored N-Hibit Seed Treatment Program

Plant Health Care (AIM: PHC.L), a leading provider of natural products to the agriculture and landscape industries and  the American Soybean Association ("ASA") are pleased to announce that the "N-Hibit® Seed Treatment Satisfaction Guarantee" program during the 2008 growing season was an unqualified success.

The results of the N-Hibit Seed Treatment program over 17 replicated trial sites, ranging from Ohio to Nebraska, produced N-Hibit-treated yields averaging 62.0 bushels/acre compared to the untreated control average of 58.6 bushels/acre. This represents a yield increase of 3.4 bushels/acre or 5.8 per cent. As a consequence, less than 3 per cent. of the acreage treated with N-Hibit resulted in requests for refunds under the Seed Treatment Satisfaction Guarantee Program. The combined effect of nematode reduction and enhanced plant growth are the primary reasons for these excellent results.

ASA President John Hoffman, a soybean producer from Waterloo, Iowa, commented:

"ASA partnered with PHC on the project because part of ASA's mission is to help identify new ways for ASA members to maximize soybean yield and profitability. N-Hibit's ability to reduce SCN damage and boost overall plant health is consistent with that mission, so ASA worked with PHC to make our members aware of the Satisfaction Guarantee program."

Rick Rice, Plant Health Care Director, Sales & Marketing, USA Agricultural Division stated:

"We wanted growers to share our confidence, and the Satisfaction Guarantee program assured them of a full refund of the purchase price paid for N-Hibit if they weren't fully satisfied with its performance on treated acreage. With a better than 97 percent success rate and the relationships we have developed with all the farmers involved in the program, we couldn't be more pleased." 

The active ingredient in N-Hibit is harpin protein, which stimulates the same plant growth response that occurs when a plant experiences stress. The induced response results in a healthier plant and a reduction in the number of nematodes that host on the roots. Harpin proteins do not enter the plant. They bind with the plant's external harpin protein receptors, which are present on both seed and foliage. After the proteins initiate the plant's natural self defense and growth systems, they harmlessly disintegrate. For more information about PHC, please visit www.planthealthcare.com.

  For more information contact: 

John Hoffman, ASA President +001 (319) 233 9480

John Brady, Plant Health Care plc CEO +001 603 525 3702

Evolution Securities Limited +44 (0)20 7071 4300

Tim Worlledge / Tim Redfern

Tavistock Communications Limited +44 (0)20 7920 3150

Jeremy Carey / Matt Ridsdale