30th Oct 2007 07:01
Plant Impact PLC30 October 2007 30 October 2007 Plant Impact plc ("Plant Impact" or "the Company") Field Trials on Grapes Demonstrate Significant Yield and Shelf Life Improvements Plant Impact plc (AIM:PIM), a global developer of technologies that improve cropproductivity by combating the negative effects of environmental stress, todayannounces positive results of its field trials programme on table grapes usingits PiNT, CaT and Speedo technologies. Five trials were conducted in Spain (3), in Jordan (1) and in Morocco (1).Grapes grown in those and other viticultural regions typically face plantstresses such as drought, high temperatures, poor soil conditions and calciumdeficiency - all of which contribute to sub-optimal yield. The trial groups, treated with the Plant Impact technologies, showed a range ofimprovements compared with their respective controls: • marketable yield up by 10-15%; • shelf life increased by 8%; • colour improved by 7%; Based on measurement of CIRG (colour index for red grapes) which is a standard statistical calculation. • sugar content increased by 20%. Peter Blezard, CEO of Plant Impact, commented: "These results are a continuationof our field trial programmes demonstrating the capability of Plant Impact'stechnologies and products. This is yet further proof that Plant Impact productsimprove marketable yield and shelf life for an important horticultural crop,benefiting the whole supply chain - from the grower, via the supermarket and toyou and me, the end consumer." As a result of treatment with Plant Impact's solutions the growers' revenuesincreased by 20-25% and the time-to-harvest was reduced by 10-12 days. Inaddition the grapes became less susceptible to heat and drought stress and thevines showed an overall improvement in health, both with regards to colour of(leaf and stem) and strength (thickness of stem). The global table grape market for Plant Impact's PiNT, CaT and Speedotechnologies has a current annual value worth (US) $230m per year. - Ends - For further information, please contact: Plant Impact plcMichael Panteli, Finance Director Tel: + 44 (0) 1772 333 [email protected] www.plantimpact.com Grant Thornton Corporate FinanceNominated AdviserPhilip Secrett Tel: +44 (0) 870 991 [email protected] www.gtuk.com Hichens, Harrison & Co.Jeremy Chantry Tel: +44 (0) 20 7382 [email protected] www.hichens.com Fiske plcJames Harrison Tel: +44 (0) 20 7448 [email protected] www.fiskeplc.com Media enquiries:AbchurchJustin Heath/Ashley Tapp/Monique Tsang Tel: +44 (0) 20 7398 [email protected] 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 • CaTTM - resistance to physiological disorders • SpeedoTM - accelerated maturation (more harvests) • PiNTTM - yield improvement in marginal soils • BugOil(R) - 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 ExchangeRelated Shares:
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