TORONTO, June 2, 2015 /PRNewswire/ --
Verde Potash (TSX: "NPK")
("Verde" or the "Company") announces superior agronomic results for
carrot and corn crops grown using TK47 as the source of potassium
as well as significantly reducing the amount of pesticide used. For
the last 8 years, Brazil has been
the world's largest pesticide consumer. The tests validate TK47's
multi-functionality benefits for plant nutrition, plant protection,
soil improvement and increased sustainability. Requested by
Brazil's largest carrot producer,
the test was carried out by an independent research institute.
In earlier studies, the Company had already reported on results
demonstrating TK47's plant nutrition benefits. The current test
results evidence three other benefits: plant protection, soil
improvement and increased sustainability.
- Plant protection: the results showed that the area treated with
TK47 was more productive despite a reduced amount of pesticides.
This demonstrates TK47's ability to increase plants' natural
resistance against diseases and pests, thus allowing growers to use
less pesticide.
- Soil improvement: the results showed that the soil conditions
improved in the area where crops were grown using TK47. A
significant amount of phosphate was unlocked from the soil and made
available for plant uptake. The concentration of other nutrients in
the soil such as calcium, magnesium and potassium were also
elevated.
- Increased sustainability: the tests showed that the use of TK47
replaces multiple potassium applications and can reduce the amount
of applied pesticide and phosphate.
Summary of Results on Carrots and Corn
The research institute planted carrots followed by corn to
evaluate the productivity of each crop as well as carry out a soil
analysis.
Carrots
Plant Nutrition:
- Half the dosage of potassium from TK47 produced 3.6 tonnes
(5.68%) more carrots than the KCl plot;
- The same dosage of potassium from TK47 produced 5.9 tonnes
(9.32%) more carrots than the KCl plot.
- Plant protection:
- The TK47 plot with less pesticide produced 5.4 tonnes (8.53%)
more than the area with the same dosage of potassium from TK47 but
without fewer pesticides. For this test, the following pesticides
weren't applied to the TK47 plot: Abamex (Nufarm), Engeo Pleno
(Syngenta), Caramba®90 (BASF), Comet® (BASF),
Cabrio® Top (Seiva do Vale), Imunit™ (BASF).
Soil improvement:
- A soil analysis showed that the TK47 plot, with half the dosage
of potassium, had 3.3 mg/dm3 more phosphorus available
than that of the KCl plot. This represents 5.7% more phosphate
unlocked from the soil as a consequence of product usage;
- When the same potassium dosage as KCl is applied, the
concentration of calcium + magnesium and potassium in the soil was
8.64% and 53.25%, respectively, greater when TK47 was applied.
Increased sustainability
- The plot with TK47 required only one application of potassium,
whereas 3 additional applications were needed on the KCl plot;
- Compared to the KCl plot, the TK47 plot with less pesticide
increased crop productivity and the concentration of nutrients in
the soil and plant leaves.
Corn
Corn was planted in the same area where carrots had been
cultivated without the application of more fertilizers. This was
done in order to evaluate the residual effect TK47 has on improving
overall soil conditions and fertility. Nowadays, advanced farming
techniques promote an integrated approach to fertilization in which
farmers focus on long-term soil improvement rather than just a
single growing season.
Plant Nutrition:
- Half the dosage of potassium from TK47 produced 13.3 tonnes per
hectare versus 12.5 tonnes per hectare from KCl, representing an
increase of 6%.
Plant Protection:
- Even when significantly less pesticide was applied and the
potassium dosage was kept the same, the TK47 plot produced 0.4
tonnes (3.10%) more corn than the KCl plot.
Soil Improvement:
- Potassium from TK47 on the carrot crop was sufficient to
assure corn productivity without additional potassium applications,
supporting TK47's residual effect.
Pesticide Market
Since 2008, Brazil has ranked
first in the world for pesticide consumption. In 2011, the country
spent approximately US $8.5 billion
on pesticide related chemicals. In the last ten years, while the
world market in this sector grew by 93%, the growth in Brazil was 190%[1]. Due to extensive acreage,
the mix of crop cultures and its climatic conditions being
favorable to the proliferation of pests, Brazil uses an average of two to three times
more pesticides per acre than other global producers.
Next steps
Verde has retained an agronomic consultancy company to conduct
an economic assessment of results achieved for carrots and corn.
Results from this assessment will be presented by the end of
Q2/2015.
About Verde
Potash
Verde Potash is a Brazil focused agri-tech company promoting
sustainable and profitable agriculture through the development of
its Cerrado Verde Project. Cerrado Verde, located in the heart of
Brazil's largest agriculture
market, is the source of a potash-rich deposit from which the
Company intends to produce TK47 and KCl. TK47 is a multi-function
innovative product that combines benefits for plant nutrition,
plant protection, water use efficiency, soil improvement and
increased sustainability. Verde's mission is to offer technological
and intelligent solutions that meet the needs of an increasingly
demanding and conscious market. The Company is also developing its
Calcario limestone project, limestone being a key raw material in
Verde's process to produce TK47 and KCl.
About the Cerrado Verde Potash Project
Cerrado Verde is a unique project: 1) its high grade potash rock
outcrops and is amenable to strip mining, allowing fast
construction of a scalable operation; 2) it is located in the midst
of the world's third largest and fastest growing fertilizer market;
3) it connects to Brazil's largest
fertilizer distribution districts via existing and high quality
infrastructure; 4) it has the potential to supply both TK47 and KCl
to Brazil's local agriculture
market from its large potash-rich deposit.
Cautionary Language and Forward Looking Statements
NEITHER THE TSX EXCHANGE NOR ITS REGULATION SERVICES PROVIDER (AS THAT TERM IS DEFINED IN THE POLICIES OF THE TSX EXCHANGE) ACCEPTS RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ADEQUACY OR ACCURACY OF THIS RELEASE. THIS PRESS RELEASE CONTAINS CERTAIN
"FORWARD LOOKING
STATEMENTS", WHICH INCLUDE BUT IS NOT LIMITED TO, STATEMENTS WITH RESPECT TO THE FUTURE FINANCIAL OR OPERATING PERFORMANCE OF THE COMPANY, ITS SUBSIDIARIES AND ITS PROJECTS, AND STATEMENTS REGARDING USE OF PROCEEDS.
FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS CAN GENERALLY BE IDENTIFIED BY THE USE OF WORDS SUCH AS "PLANS", "EXPECTS", OR "DOES NOT EXPECT" OR "IS EXPECTED", "ANTICIPATES" OR "DOES NOT ANTICIPATE", OR "BELIEVES", "INTENDS", "FORECASTS", "BUDGET",
"SCHEDULED", "ESTIMATES" OR VARIATIONS OF SUCH WORDS OR PHRASES OR STATE THAT CERTAIN ACTIONS, EVENT, OR RESULTS "MAY", "COULD", "WOULD", "MIGHT", OR "WILL BE TAKEN", "OCCUR" OR "BE ACHIEVED". FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS
INVOLVE KNOWN AND UNKNOWN RISKS, UNCERTAINTIES AND OTHER FACTORS WHICH MAY CAUSE THE ACTUAL RESULTS, PERFORMANCE OR ACHIEVEMENTS OF THE COMPANY TO BE MATERIALLY DIFFERENT
FROM ANY FUTURE RESULTS, PERFORMANCE OR ACHIEVEMENTS
EXPRESSED
OR IMPLIED BY SAID STATEMENTS. THERE CAN BE NO ASSURANCES THAT FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS WILL PROVE TO
BE ACCURATE, AS ACTUAL RESULTS AND FUTURE EVENTS COULD DIFFER MATERIALLY FROM THOSE
ANTICIPATED IN SAID STATEMENTS. ACCORDINGLY, READERS SHOULD NOT PLACE UNDUE RELIANCE
ON FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS.
Readers are cautioned not to rely solely on the summary of such information contained in this release and are directed to the complete set of drill results posted on Verde's website (http://www.verdepotash.com) and filed on SEDAR
(http://www.sedar.com) and any future amendments to such. Readers are also directed to the cautionary notices and disclaimers contained herein.
Cristiano Veloso, President &
Chief Executive Officer, Tel: +55(31)3245-0205, Fax:
+55(31)3245-0205, Email: cv@verdepotash.com,
http://www.verdepotash.com
Iwona Zakrzewski, VP Investor
Relations & Corporate Secretary, Tel: +1-416-844-7337 /
+1-416-866-2966, Email: iz@verdepotash.com
[1]
http://brasil.elpais.com/brasil/2015/04/29/politica/1430321822_851653.html