Plant Impact trials a success

AGRICULTURAL products company Plant Impact says trials of its calcium absorption technology for food crops have shown increased yields.

Efficacy data has shown that crops have a longer shelf life with an increased yield when the ‘CaT’ technology is used, and that the crop is susceptible to fewer physiological diseases. 

The trials in the Netherlands and the US used lettuce, strawberry, apple and pear crops.

They demonstrated a 15% yield increase in lettuce, a 1.8 metric tonnes per hectare increase in strawberries, a 60% decrease in bitter pit on apples and a 75% reduction in alfalfa greening disorder on pears. 

Pete Blezard, chief executive of Preston-based Plant Impact said: “CaT technology strengthens cell walls, combats stress and promotes healthy cell division, as well as improving the growth of fruit and flowers in areas of environmental stress.

“This means less waste, more produce for the grower to sell and a better quality of food reaching the consumer due to less chemical additives being used. We are delighted with the trial results and continue to believe we will produce excellent results in the future.” 

The company has around 200 field trials in progress in 32 countries, to prove efficacy and commercial validity to distributors and growers.