Plant Impact strikes deal with US government

PRESTON-based agricultural specialist Plant Impact has agreed a deal with the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) to trial its nitrogen technology on selected crops.

The company said the collaboration could provide the “pivotal” data for the validation of its PiNT technology in the US.      

The firm said the nitrogen used in its system is less susceptible to soil bacteria and provides plants with a stable source of nutrition.

Under the terms of the contract, PiNT will be evaluated in side-by-side comparisons with other commercial nitrogen fertilisers. Environmental losses by leaching will be measured as well as the response of corn to increased nitrogen.

Chief executive Peter Blezard, said: “The USDA managed trials will provide the independent verification and full evaluation of both the agronomic and environmental performance of our newly developed and innovative PiNT product compared to conventional nitrogen providing fertilisers.

“This data will provide information for the registration of the product and identify the best commercial markets.”

The International Fertilser Industry Association estimates that the global market for nitrogen providing fertiliser is 98 million tonnes, with a value of around £76bn.