PHC.L Regulatory News (PHC)

16 Apr 2007 07:02

Plant Health Care PLC16 April 2007 Plant Health Care plc ("Plant Health Care" or "the Company") Successful trial results for Plant Health Care's unique technology - Harpin-based N-Hibit product successfully suppresses nematodes in soybeans and increases yields in cotton by up to 15% Plant Health Care (AIM: PHC.L), a leading provider of natural products forplants and soil, is pleased to report the success of independent trials of itsHarpin-based N-Hibit seed treatments on cotton and soybean crops. This takes theCompany a further step toward commercialisation of this product in these andother crops. The trials, undertaken by Southern Illinois University, demonstrated thatN-Hibit reduced cyst nematodes in soybean roots by up to 60%, resulting inaverage increases in yield of 8%. Approximately 150 million acres of soybeansare planted each year in the US and Brazil alone. Similarly, when used incombination with other treatments offered by the major agrichemical businesses,the trials showed N-Hibit increased the yield of cotton by up to 15%. Harpin is a fundamentally new and patented technology based on naturallyoccurring proteins which activate internal plant growth and stress-defenceresponses. Plant Health Care acquired the Harpin technology as a part of itsacquisition of the majority of the assets and business of Eden BioScience inFebruary this year (2007). Plant Heath Care also announced today that it is in discussions with the world'slargest crop science companies regarding supply agreements for its Harpintechnology, and, further to its earlier agreement with Bayer CropScience, forother uses of Myconate, its mycorrhizal stimulant. John Brady, Chief Executive of Plant Health Care, commented: "N-Hibit is theonly product currently available, natural or otherwise, which can suppressnematodes economically in soybean crops. "Overall these trial results fully endorse our expectations the Harpintechnology will be as important to Plant Health Care as Myconate." For further information: Plant Heath Care plc Tavistock Communications John Brady, Chief Executive Jeremy Carey/Simon Compton 16 -17 April Tel: 020 7920 3150 Tel: 020 7920 3150 Thereafter: 001 603 525 3702 This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock Exchange