Plant Impact Regulatory News (PIM)

1 Dec 2009 11:31



Plant Impact plc

("Plant Impact" or "the Company")Plant Impact Announces Further Field Trial Results of its CaT Technology

 Plant Impact plc (AIM:PIM), a global developer of technologies that improve crop productivity, is pleased to announce the results of its most recent field trials using InCa (modelled on Plant Impact's proprietary CaT technology which targets calcium nutrition in plants). 

Highlights were:

increased marketable yield on melons, cucumbers and tomatoes

increased weight, number of leaves and shelf life for lettuce

cucumbers increased diameter and firmness

melons increased weight and firmness

The Company has received the final results from independent controlled field trials carried out by Eurion Consulting in France. On all four crops CaT technology produced significant statistical improvements, reinforcing the results of grower trials conducted in Mexico, USA, Europe and Middle East on high value fruit and vegetable crops.

These results follow on from the announcement in May 2009 detailing the interim stage results from Eurion Consulting. CaT technology was measured against existing standard treatments and also against a competitive alternative. 

The estimated market size for CaT technology in key territories (50 countries in both the northern and southern hemispheres) on the above crops covers a total of 4 million hectares and £133m (source: UN Food and Agricultural Organisation ("FAO") and Plant Impact estimates). 

Pete Blezard, CEO of Plant Impact commented, "Plant Impact continues to demonstrate that CaT technology is efficacious and commercially beneficial to the both the grower and distributor. Our field trial programme, which will increasingly involve independent third party contract research organisations, compliments our commercial strategy. We are currently selling CaT directly in 24 countries." 

For further information, please contact:

Notes to Editors

Field Trials Results

The field trials were conducted by Eurion Consulting and carried out at Montpellier University and by Phytex. Eurion Consulting specialise in regulatory approvals of agricultural input products, Montpellier University and Phytex provide testing, testing facilities and agricultural consultancy expertise. The trials were conducted in Montpellier and Villeneuve de la Raho, both in southern France.

The methods used in the execution of the field trials were performed in accordance with the principles of Good Experimental Practice (GEP) and with the general requirements of the United Nations Systems Chief Executive Board (CEB) and the European and Mediterranean Plant Protection Organisations (OEPP). All trials measured CaT technology against standard practice and a commercially available calcium fertiliser product.

Melons - the results demonstrated an increase in marketable yield against both standard and competing product by 41% and 29% respectively. There was an increase in weight against standard of 10.7% and 1.7% against competing product. Firmness of fruit was 28% better that both standard and competing product.

Tomatoes - the increase in marketable yield was 50% against standard and 33% against competing product. Firmness of tomatoes was better than standard by 9% and competing product by 8%. Quality of storage was better by 40% against both standard and competing product.

Cucumbers - the increase in marketable yield was 22% against standard and 16% against competing product. The cucumber diameter increase was 13% against standard and 9% against competing product. 

Lettuce - fresh weight was 9% better than standard and 12% better than competing product. Number of leaves were 9% more than standard and 6% more than competing product. Long term storage, after 23 days, was 50% better than both standard and competing product.

About CaT

CaT technology is a calcium absorption aid, which alleviates the problems encountered by growing crops under environmental stress (drought, heat, cold) and physiological diseases in the ongoing development of the fruit that are often due to calcium deficiencies. This technology enables calcium uptake and retention in the tissues of the plant that would not naturally absorb calcium under normal growing conditions.

About Plant Impact plc

Plant Impact addresses the increasing global demand for effective, sustainable and ecologically-sound products to combat environmental plant stress and improve crop productivity. Common environmental plant stresses include drought, salinity, nutrient deficiencies, pests and disease. Plant Impact's advances produce practical results that reduce inputs and benefit the whole of the agricultural value chain, providing solutions for growers, food manufacturers and consumers.

A broad product portfolio has been developed using these innovative and proprietary technologies, the most advanced of which are already being marketed and sold through established agricultural distribution networks. Products for the home and garden market are also distributed direct to consumers through reputable high street stores.

Current Plant Impact technologies include:

Alethea® - resistance to climate, water and salt stress 

CaT - higher yield, improved shelf life, reduction of physiological disorders 

Speedo™ - accelerated plant growth 

PiNT™ - higher yielding stronger plants 

BugOil® - benign pest control

For further information please visit www.plantimpact.com