Bothell, Washington
January 12, 2001

EDEN Bioscience Corporation (NASDAQ:EDEN) today announced successful results for its cotton field trial program for Messenger(R).  

In Messenger application timing field trials conducted throughout the cotton belt, three different Messenger spray programs increased cotton yield by approximately 10% compared with untreated cotton even when some variation occurred during the abnormally poor 2000 production season. Yield increases ranged as high as 230 lb lint per acre above the untreated cotton. Importantly, in field trials targeting nematodes, a widespread and very damaging pest in cotton and other crops, Messenger-treated cotton averaged over a 20% increase in yield. Estimated average cotton yield lost to nematodes exceeds $250 million annually in the U.S. alone. Test results were announced yesterday afternoon at The Beltwide Cotton Conference in Anaheim, CA. 

Dr. David Wright of the University of Florida Extension Service said at the conference, "Cotton yield responses with Messenger have averaged about 15% over studies conducted during the last four years. Messenger also produced some of the first signs of control of hard lock in cotton, reducing the disease by as much as 41% when applied in four applications approximately two weeks apart starting at first square." Hard lock is serious a disease that inhibits the cotton boll from opening. 

Jim Russell, Southern Business Unit Manager of EDEN Bioscience, added, "We believe that Messenger will give growers the ability to significantly increase their production, after more than a decade of flat or declining yields." 

Over 100 large demonstration and replicated, small scale field trials were conducted by University agricultural scientists, Extension Specialists, and independent crop advisors to evaluate Messenger on cotton during the 2000 season. Numerous application programs were tested to evaluate the effects of Messenger on cotton growth, yields, and plant physiology as well as nematodes and other pests of cotton. 

EDEN Bioscience is a plant technology company focused on developing, manufacturing and marketing innovative natural products for agriculture. EDEN believes its technology and initial product, Messenger(R), allows it to offer superior alternatives to existing plant protection and crop yield enhancement products in terms of both performance and safety, and importantly, to avoid the substantial public resistance to many chemical pesticides and genetically modified plants. Messenger, which received EPA approval for full commercial use in April 2000, is based on naturally occurring proteins called "harpins", which activate natural plant defense systems to protect against disease and pests, and simultaneously activate plant growth systems, improving
crop yield and quality. It has been extensively tested in hundreds of field trials in four countries and on more than 40 crops including: citrus, strawberries, tomatoes, peppers, melons, wheat, rice, peanuts, tobacco, grapes and others. EDEN Bioscience's headquarters are at 11816 North Creek Parkway N., Bothell, WA 98011, 425/806-7300; www.edenbio.com.  

Company news release
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