[TECHNOLOGY OPPORTUNITY 1998-016]

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H2 Fertilization: Is this the Benefit of Crops in Rotation?

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Description:
The beneficial effect on crop growth from inter-cropping with legumes is recognized the world
over. The more efficient utilization of growth resources leads to yield advantages and increased
stability compared to sole cropping. Researchers at Queen's University believe they have
developed a technique that mimics the benefits of crop rotation: a "chemical-free" and effective
way to improve crop growth by 10-30% without rotating crops. The researchers enhanced the
soil’s activity by pre-treating or treating in-situ the soil with hydrogen.

Experimental results obtained to date indicate that plant growth significantly improved as indicated by
the plant’s ability to grow faster, larger and/or more vigorously relative to a plant in an untreated
environment. In wheat barley, head production was advanced by a few days. With spring wheat, growth
of both root and shoot were more than 30% greater (p>= 0.01) in treated soil than in untreated soil.
Similar growth results were obtained with barley, soybean and canola.

Fig. 1: Plant (left) grown in enhanced soil               Fig. 2: Wheat (far right) grown in enhanced soil

Hydrogen appears to have the effect of enhancing 30% more plant growth by promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR). One aspect of the technology is a process to identify and isolate these PGPRs.

Potential Areas of Application:

• “Super soil” or potting soil ideal for backyard gardener / community fields garden / municipal garden
• Crop Soil Additive or inoculants for large-scale application

Main Advantages:

• The growth of various plants in a crop trial is enhanced by 10-30% or more.
• Hydrogen is benign and non-toxic.
• The results appear to be independent of soil source. However, better quality soils showed greater improvement.

Stage of Development:
Data demonstrating growth enhancement is available upon request.

Status of Intellectual Property:
• US 6 848 212, “Methods For Enhancing Plant Growth Using Hydrogen Gas”, Layzell et al. Issued
February 1, 2005.
• US 7 162 834, “Methods For Enhancing Plant Growth Using Hydrogen Gas”, Layzell et al. Issued
January 16, 2007.

Status of Commercialization
PARTEQ Innovations is a non-profit organization that commercializes Queen’s University research. We
have an exclusive, worldwide, royalty-bearing license to make, use and sell intellectual property owned
by Queen’s University. U.S. patents have been issued and PARTEQ is now seeking licensees on a nonexclusive
or exclusive license agreement.

Contact:
Anne Vivian-Scott
Vice-President, Commercial Development
avivianscott@parteqinnovations.com
P: 613. 533. 2342
Ref: 1998-016