Mr. Cristiano Veloso reports

TK47 BOOSTS CROP PROTECTION IN INDEPENDENT AGRICULTURAL TESTS

Verde Potash PLC has provided positive results from tests using TK47 on rice crops. The results showed that TK47 reduced the occurrence of rice blast, a plant-pathogenic fungus, by approximately 44 per cent. Losses due to plant pathogens put a significant constraint on global food production. It is estimated that each year, rice blast disease alone destroys enough rice to feed 60 million people.

"These positive results solidify TK47 as an efficient product for crop protection. In Brazil, the crop protection market is worth over $12-billion (U.S.), about four times greater than the local potash market. Highly toxic chemical products account for the majority of the market. TK47 is approved for organic agriculture and can have a major impact in increasing sustainability for 21st century agriculture," commented president and chief executive officer, Cristiano Veloso.

Rice crop is vulnerable to attacks by many plant pathogens such as fungi, viruses, bacteria and nematodes, which can harm the productivity and quality of the harvested grain. For example, when environmental conditions are favourable to the pathogen, the damage caused by rice blast can compromise up to 100 per cent of production.

TK47 has a high concentration of plant available silicon, an element which induces a plant's natural resistance against pests and diseases. Silicon supports plant tissues by strengthening the cell walls and leaves thereby reducing the need for fungicides and insecticides.

Results

The test, conducted by an independent consulting firm in the state of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, evaluated the agronomic efficiency of TK47 on irrigated rice. The test assessed the nutritional quality of the crop and the incidence of diseases, specifically rice blast. For comparison purposes, two sources of potassium (K2O) were applied, TK47 and potassium chloride (KCl). Four different doses of TK47 were applied 60 days before planting (see attached table).

The cultivar used was GURI INTA CL, which stands out for its grain quality and productivity. It is a medium maturity cultivar, fully blooming in 94 days and maturing in 125 days.

The results demonstrate that TK47 is effective in controlling rice blast. In the area where a commercial dose (100 per cent) of K2O from TK47 was applied, the incidence of rice blast was 43.64 per cent lower than in the area treated with the same dose of K2O from KCl. The disease incidence was also lower when 75 per cent and 25 per cent of K2O from TK47 was applied.

                   TREATMENTS AND RICE BLAST INCIDENCE
                                                                   Rice blast
                                                   % of K2O        incidence
Treatment                                                           (pl/m2) 

Control                                                    -           13.50
KCl                                                     100%           13.75
TK47                                                    100%            7.75
TK47                                                     75%           10.75
TK47                                                     50%           13.75
TK47                                                     25%           11.75

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