PHC.L Regulatory News (PHC)

15 Dec 2005 07:00

Plant Health Care PLC15 December 2005 Embargoed until 7am 15 December 2005 Plant Health Care plc ("PHC" or "the Group") Myconate(R) Interim Test Results Update Plant Health Care (AIM: PHC.L) is pleased to announce that the first tranche ofdata from its 2005 Myconate(R) test programme is now available. PHC's Myconate(R) product is based on Formononetin, a compound which has been demonstrated toincrease the yields of row crops. The results of the test programme (summarisedbelow) in the main validate the properties of Formononetin and the Directorsbelieve the test results emphasise the significant global commercial potentialfor PHC's Myconate(R) product in the crop growing sector. The tests were performed in four countries in the Americas and in Europe, in avariety of different soil and climate conditions. The tests were conducted onmany different crops and by using different application methods, to helpestablish the best routes to full commercialisation for the product. Some 60 trials were originally scheduled to take place in 2005; of this number36 are expected to be seen through to completion. The balance either did notcommence or did not produce reliable data for reasons including adverse weatherconditions and inadequate control data and/or measurement. The results of 15 tests have been compiled to date. Although, certain tests didnot indicate yield increases, they provided very valuable information in termsof gaining a better understanding of appropriate and inappropriate applicationmethods for the Myconate in commercial settings. The remainder of the trials have been very successful and confirmed previouslyobserved yield increases in the range of 5% to 30% with standard seed coatingtechniques and where "side dressing" (i.e. mixing the Myconate with fertiliserat time of planting) has been employed. The best results have been observed fromthe tests on corn and soy bean, the two largest row crops in the world.Especially encouraging are the independent results from the French corn studieson non-GMO corn seed. In this large scale trial the corn yields from Myconate(R)treated seed were consistently 12%-24% higher than the control fields. Data from the remaining 21 trials is yet to be received and remains to beanalysed. Some of these trials replicate application methods already observed tobe flawed and on these the Group has no expectation of positive results. Theremaining trials are expected to produce positive results. These results will beannounced at the time of PHC's preliminary results for the year ended 31December 2005, expected to be in March 2006. John Brady, CEO of Plant Health Care commented on the initial results, "We aredelighted to see the initial results are consistent with prior years', but weare not surprised. In the 2005 trials, we varied the application methods todetermine the response of Myconate(R) under a wide variety of circumstances andhave learned a great deal from these tests. Not all application methodsdemonstrated successful yield increases; however we believe we have perfectedour ability to apply the product, including in some new and unique ways, andalso found positive responses from new crops such as pinto beans, potatoes andsunflowers." "We are awaiting feedback from some large chemical and seed company trials whichwill be available in the first quarter of 2006. These results will help usbetter determine the best routes to full commercialisation. We are very excited with the trial data received so far, which gives clearindication that Myconate applied as a single seed coating or as a side dressingcan significantly improve yields across a wide variety of crops. The greatestimprovements have been seen in higher volume row crops such as corn and soybean, but important improvements have also been seen in higher value crops, suchas tomatoes and strawberries." -ends- For further information please contact: Plant Health Care plcJohn Brady, CEO Tel: 001 603 525 3702 Tavistock Communications Tel: 020 7920 3150Jeremy CareyChristian Taylor-Wilkinson Notes to Editors: About Plant Health Care Plant Health Care plc ("PHC") is a leading provider of natural products forplants and soil. Established in 1995 in Pittsburgh (Pennsylvania) in the UnitedStates, PHC currently has approximately 70 employees and has operations in theUS, Mexico, UK, Spain, and the Netherlands. The Company listed on the AIM marketof the London Stock Exchange in July 2004. Ticker symbol is PHC. PHC's products are aimed at the horticulture, agriculture, turf grass,commercial landscaping, forestry and land reclamation industries and are bothenvironmentally beneficial and on the whole more cost effective than syntheticchemical alternatives. Through the commercialisation of these products, PHC iscapitalising on current long-term trends toward natural systems and biologicalproducts for plant care and soil and water management uses. Web Site: www.planthealthcare.com This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock Exchange