Plant Impact Regulatory News (PIM)

8 Oct 2007 07:01

Plant Impact PLC08 October 2007 8 October 2007 Plant Impact plc ("Plant Impact" or "the Company") Successful field trials show significant improvements in lettuce yield, shelf life and maturation Plant Impact plc (AIM:PIM), a global developer of technologies that improve cropproductivity by combating the negative effects of environmental stress, todayannounces the results of a new field trial carried out by Certis Europe BV("Certis") in Spain which shows that the use of Plant Impact's CaT and PiNTtechnologies significantly improve lettuce marketable yield, shelf life andspeed to maturity. The trial also demonstrated a reduction in the incidence oftip burn. Peter Blezard, CEO of Plant Impact, commented: "Providing consumers with fresh,unspoilt lettuce is a real challenge for growers, salad producers andsupermarkets and there is a constant pressure for farmers to producehigher-quality and more robust produce, especially post harvest. We aredelighted with the results of this trial as it is yet further proof that PlantImpact's technologies significantly enhance yield, quality and shelf life ofhigh-value horticultural products such as lettuces - adding value all the wayfrom the field to the fork." The global lettuce market for Plant Impact's CaT and PiNT technologies has anestimated current annual value of US$120m, which is expected to grow due to theincreasing demand for fresher and better-quality lettuce. In the last 10 years,per capita consumption of lettuce has grown by 17%. After 8 to 9 weeks of storage under ambient conditions the percentage of lettucehearts in 'good', saleable condition (without browning of leaves and rotting)increased from between 40 to 80% in the treated group compared with between 0 to40% in the control group. This trial design included storage in extreme conditions and indicates animportant value for retailers that sell pre-packed salads, where two days' extrastorage makes a significant impact on profitability by reducing spoilage.Additional shelf life potentially opens global markets to growers. Supermarketsare currently suffering spoilage rates of between 20% and 30% on salads. Other findings of the trial showed that following lettuce seedlingtransplantation, plant growth had increased from between 6% and 11% compared tothe control group, and yields on harvesting of the crop after transplantationincreased by between 5% and 10% compared to the control group. This indicatesearlier maturity of the crop through better growth, allowing the grower to cutearlier or harvest a heavier crop. In addition lettuce tip burn, a calciumdeficiency disorder, was reduced from 15% in the control group to 10% in thoseplants treated with Plant Impact's products. This indicates that calcium uptakeby the plant was more effective, leading to improved quality and a reduction inwaste. Tip burn is caused by environmental factors, such as high temperatures and lowrelative humidity, and agricultural factors such as salinity, calcium-poor soilsand water stress. Leaves with tip burn have an unpleasant appearance and theedge of the damaged leaf is weaker and subject to rotting. Plant Impact has a distribution agreement in place with Certis which suppliesPlant Impact's 'anti-stress' products in Spain and Portugal. Certis has anetwork of over 50 local distributors who supply approximately 75,000 growers inthe Iberian peninsula. In addition, Plant Impact achieves sales in the MiddleEast North Africa (MENA) region through its distribution partner Pi-MENA. - Ends - For further information, please contact:Plant Impact plc Michael Panteli, Finance Director Tel: + 44 (0) 1772 333 873mike@plantimpact.com www.plantimpact.com Grant Thornton Corporate FinanceNominated Adviser Philip Secrett Tel: +44 (0) 870 991 2578philip.j.secrett@gtuk.com www.gtuk.com Hichens, Harrison & Co. Jeremy Chantry Tel: +44 (0) 20 7382 7791Jeremy.chantry@hichens.com www.hichens.com Fiske plc James Harrison Tel: +44 (0) 20 7448 4700james.harrison@fiskeplc.com www.fiskeplc.com Media enquiries:Abchurch Justin Heath/Ashley Tapp/Monique Tsang Tel: +44 (0) 20 7398 7700monique.tsang@abchurch-group.com www.abchurch-group.com About Plant Impact Plant Impact addresses the increasing global demand for effective, sustainableand ecologically-sound products to combat environmental plant stress and improvecrop productivity. Common environmental plant stresses include drought,salinity, nutrient deficiencies, pests and disease. Plant Impact's advancesproduce practical results that reduce inputs and benefit the whole of theagricultural value chain, providing solutions for growers, food manufacturersand consumers. A broad product portfolio has been developed using these innovative andproprietary eco-technologies, the most advanced of which are already beingmarketed and sold through established agricultural distribution networks.Products for the home and garden market are also distributed direct to consumerthrough agreements with reputable high street stores. Current Plant Impact products include: • Alethea(R) - resistance to climate, water and salt stress • CaT - resistance to physiological disorders • SpeedoTM - accelerated maturation (more harvests) • PiNT - yield improvement in marginal soils • BugOil(R) - 'organic' (benign) pest control For further information please visit www.plantimpact.com This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock Exchange