A key aspect of developing new products in production agriculture is evaluation by crop protection professionals in a commercial context.

ProAct^TM, a new plant health regulator from EDEN BIOSCIENCE, was registered by the Environmental Protection Agency on February 11, 2005. ProAct is based on Harp-N-Tek^TM, a proprietary harpin protein technology from EDEN BIOSCIENCE. Harpin proteins have been shown to activate internal defense and growth mechanisms in plants. In turn, these mechanisms improve cotton's overall plant health and yield potential by improving vigor, stamina, nutrient uptake, and reproductive growth and by initiating natural self-defense mechanisms. ProAct is a foliar-applied, second-generation harpin product that contains 1% harpin_αβ as the active ingredient.

Early-season applications of ProAct were evaluated in 2004 and 2005 field trials located in commercial fields. Plant growth, maturity measurements, and yield were recorded. These trials were conducted and evaluated by a licensed, independent crop consultant located in Mississippi. Findings are reported.