At the IRDA, Quebec, different plant growth studies carried out between May 2008 and June 2009, on New Guinea Impatiens, zinnia, tomato, lettuce and watercress. These studies showed that the FIBA-ZORB PLUS wetting agent did not cause any phytotoxicity when blended in peat-based growing media at a recommended concentration (275 ml/m3) or when directly applied on seeds at a 120 ppm concentration. For example, the substrate treated with FIBA-ZORB PLUS at 275 ml/m3 showed the highest root and shoot dry weights of New Guniea Impatiens after 8 weeks of growth, superior to the substrate treated with another commercial wetting agent. Seeds treated with FIBA-ZORB PLUS at 120 ppm showed the highest stem and root length of lettuce 7 days after sowing, superior from all other treatments, including seed treated with another commercial wetting agent and the control treatment (seed with water). Similar trends were obtained with all the other crops that were on trial.
 

These benefits in crop production have very significant commercial benefits to the professional grower, and the cost of the FIBA-ZORB PLUS treatment is insignificant compared to the commercial benefits for the producer.