Eden Bioscience Corporation
(Nasdaq:EDEN) announced that field corn yield increases
averaging about 7 bushels an acre were reported by farms in
the ProAct Partnership with the
National Corn Growers
Association in 2005, and that the program will be
continued in 2006. The data summary was presented March 4
during the Commodity Classic here.
Eden Bioscience develops,
manufactures and markets innovative, natural protein-based
products for improving plant health and vigor. NCGA urged
members to try 10- or 20-acre trials of ProAct in 2005 to
better determine its impact on corn growth and yield under a
variety of conditions and commercial crop management
systems. ProAct at 0.5-oz/acre or 1-oz/acre was included
with the first application of the grower's standard
herbicide program on the treated acres. Every aspect was the
same on the untreated acres except no ProAct was used.
"There were 137 locations
for the field demonstrations, and results were returned from
62 fields in 12 states," Dr. Ned French, Eden Bioscience
Director of Field Biology and Development, told the
Commodity Classic audience. "The central Corn Belt states of
IA, IL, NE, MN, MO, OH, and KY accounted for 56 of the
locations, which was 90% of them. Other states represented
in the trials included TX, TN, WA, NC, and SC.
"These results are
consistent with the average of 8 bu/acre during three years
of replicated and commercial trials between 2003 and 2005,"
noted Dr. French. "This yield response represents a return
on investment of about 5 to 1.
"In most of our previous
research, ProAct was applied along with early glyphosate
applications. But our ProAct Partners achieved equal or
sometimes better yield increases with many different
herbicide programs. These active ingredients included
sulfonylurea, dicamba, atrazine, and mesotrione alone or in
combination with other herbicides."
Mike Cloutier, Eden
Bioscience Director of Sales and Marketing, said the
Partnership Program will be extended this season so that
more growers can participate. Growers will be provided the
ProAct without charge. Growers are asked to follow an easy
protocol for their test acres and applications, maintain an
untreated check plot, and collect certain yield and crop
management data.
"Many ProAct Partners told
us they want to run their demonstrations again, particularly
those who were unable to gather the data due to weather or
equipment problems," said Cloutier. "Other growers who
visited with us at the Classic expressed keen interest in
participating for the first time this year."
Cloutier said the 2006
demonstrations will emphasize one application of ProAct at
the 0.5-oz/acre rate with the first post-emergence herbicide
pass, typically at the V3 to V6 stage of plant development.
Participating growers are urged to involve their crop
advisers and consultants in the ProAct trials to document
growing conditions and product responses throughout the
season.
Dr. French explained that
ProAct increases yield by activating plant growth and
self-defense systems, resulting in increased root mass,
vigor, ability to tolerate adverse weather and other
stresses, and improved overall plant health.
The active ingredient in
ProAct and other Harp-N-Tek products is harpin protein,
which is produced by disease-causing bacteria that attack
plants. Harp-N-Tek products do not contain pathogens, but
cause the plant to respond as though being attacked, Dr.
French said. Harpin proteins do not enter the plant. They
bind with the plant's external harpin protein receptors.
This turns on the plant's natural self-defense and growth
systems. Then the harpin proteins harmlessly disintegrate.
ProAct is not a
restricted-use product. It is easy to apply, has an
excellent safety profile, and leaves no residuals in the
water, soil or on plants.
Eden Bioscience was
founded in 1994. Corporate headquarters are located in
Bothell, WA., where the company maintains manufacturing and
research facilities.
ProAct and Harp-N-Tek
are trademarks and Eden Bioscience is a registered trademark
of Eden Bioscience Corporation.
