March 27, 2006

Testing continues for protein that increases corn yield

Eden Bioscience Corporation announced that it is inviting more applicants to test out its ProAct protein free of charge after results in 2005 registered corn yield increases of about 7 bushels an acre, according to a company press release.

The field demonstrations were conducted in farms in the ProAct Partnership with the National Corn Growers Association (NCGA). NCGA urged members to try 10- or 20-acre trials of ProAct in 2005 to determine its impact on corn growth and yield.

137 locations were used for the first field demonstrations, and results were returned from 62 fields in 12 states, Dr Ned French, Eden Bioscience director of field biology and Development said.

Results yielded a consistent average of 7 bushels more an acre during three years of commercial trials between 2003 and 2005, said French.

Mike Cloutier, Eden Bioscience director of sales and marketing, said the Partnership Programme will be extended this season so that more growers can participate. Growers will be provided the ProAct without charge.

Growers are asked to follow simple procedures for their test acres and applications while maintaining an untreated plot and collecting yield and crop management data.

French said 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.

The active ingredient in ProAct is harpin protein, produced by disease-causing bacteria that attack plants. The product does not contain pathogens, but cause the plant to respond as though being attacked, French said. Harpin proteins do not enter the plant but attach themselves to the plant's external harpin protein receptors. This turns on the plant's natural self defense and growth systems. The harpin proteins harmlessly disintegrate after accomplishing their function.

Eden Bioscience develops, manufactures and market natural protein-based products for improving plant health.