St. Louis, Missouri
July 26, 2007
The American Soybean
Association (ASA) and
Plant Health Care, Inc.
(PHC) are pleased to announce preliminary findings from the
"N-Hibit™ Partnership" Field Trial Program. Growers on 140 farms
in 22 states are participating in the program to evaluate
N-Hibit as a tool to lower Soybean Cyst Nematode pressure and
improve plant health.
"With an ever-growing global demand for soybeans, and the
reduced number of soybean acres planted in the U.S. this year,
we have to find ways to grow more soybeans on every acre
planted," said ASA Vice President Rob Joslin, a soybean producer
from Sidney, Ohio. "Improving plant health can help us grow more
soybeans and improve our competitiveness in world markets."
Early results from 34 of the trial sites indicate the N-Hibit
treated seed is producing greater root and plant weight, and
more nodes per acre in 85 percent of the comparisons.
"Plant weights, including root weights, were 11 to 12 percent
greater with N-Hibit-treated soybeans, implying that these
plants have achieved better early season growth," said Dr. Ned
French, PHC Director of Field Biology and Development. "N-Hibit
treated soybeans are averaging 14 percent more nodes per acre,
which suggests improved plant establishment (plants/acre) and
early season growth (nodes/plant). More nodes per acre can be
indicative of a higher potential yield."
Participating growers were provided a kit that included a coupon
redeemable at local seed retailers to obtain enough N-Hibit
Commercial Seed Treatment to treat up to 2,500 pounds of soybean
seed. Growers were asked to use 20 to 50 acres for the treated
area and monitor an equivalent number of acres as an untreated
control.
"Data from the remaining sites is being gathered and processed,"
Joslin said. "Final results of the trials will be announced
after harvest."
The active ingredient in N-Hibit and other Harp-N-Tek™ products
is harpin, which is derived from naturally occurring proteins.
Harpin proteins bind with the plant’s external receptors present
on the seed, as well as foliage. Harp-N-Tek products cause the
plant to respond as though being attacked, and this process
"switches" on the plant’s natural self-defense and growth
systems resulting in pathogen tolerance and increased yields.
Harpin proteins have an excellent safety profile, are easy to
use, and are not restricted use materials; consequently, many
worker safety issues commonly associated with the handling of
conventional pesticides are avoided with harpins.
For more information about the preliminary results of the
ASA-PHC summer trials, go to
www.SoyGrowers.com/programs/phc.htm.
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