Messenger - Eden Bioscience Messenger® is a product that is so significant that it was called a “Major Scientific Breakthrough” by the USDA. It was discovered by Cornell University in upstate New York and was awarded the “Presidential Green Chemistry Award” by the EPA.
Messenger® is based on a new proprietary technology called Harp-N-Tek. This technology is based on a family of naturally occurring proteins called “harpins”. Messenger, Mighty Plant and Puffer seed treatment contain harpin. Harpin proteins stimulate natural reactions in plants that enhance disease resistance, growth, and flowering. That means healthier plants, more flowers, more fruit, and your best garden ever!
Messenger®, which is made by a company called Eden Bioscience, is classified as a plant health regulator. Messenger® offers gardeners a highly effective and environmentally safe tool to suppress diseases, enhance bloom, encourage growth, and regulate overall plant health. HarpinEA, the active ingredient in Messenger®, is one of a family of proteins produced in nature by bacterial plant pathogens. The discovery of harpin was published in Science in 1992, and formed the basis for the harpin protein technology platform developed by EDEN BIOSCIENCE.
Messenger® is harmless, but acts as a signaling molecule. It signals the plant that there is a pathogen present and that it should mount a defense, similar to a vaccination. The result is a healthier plant with far more flowers! Based on its beneficial properties and favorable safety profile, Messenger was granted the U.S. EPA Presidential Green Chemistry Award in 2001. The primary benefits to gardeners who use Messenger® include less diseases, more flowers, larger root systems, and enhanced overall growth. 
Broad Spectrum Plant Uses Messenger® has been extensively tested in many gardens, agricultural fields, and greenhouses in major growing areas throughout the world. The product has activity across a broad spectrum of crops, including:
In nearly all of our tests, Messenger® has been shown to suppress diseases, boost overall growth and flowering. It also improves the plant’s ability to grow and protect itself from stresses caused by adverse environmental conditions. No matter what you grow, your garden will have a better ability thrive despite the challenges Mother Nature can cause.
Growth Responses Derive from Improved Photosynthesis and Nutrient Uptake
In greenhouse experiments and field trials conducted by EDEN BIOSCIENCE®, Cornell University and other research organizations, Messenger® significantly increased photosynthesis and nutrient uptake in plants. These increases are indicative of increased production of energy and more available nutrients, which are important for plant growth, development and flowering. These are attributes that ultimately express value to gardeners by enhancing flowering and bloom quality. Responses to Diseases and Soil-Borne Pests
Messenger® treatments activate multiple stress tolerance and defense pathways within the plant thereby increasing the plant's natural ability to defend itself against certain viral, bacterial and fungal plant diseases, some of which have only poor chemical controls. Extended Shelf-life
Pre-harvest applications of Messenger® have demonstrated benefits that last well past the garden. Research on roses have shown that roses treated with Messenger® look beautiful longer in the vase. Extended post-harvest beauty is a result of the growth and stress-defense responses to Messenger®. Worker Safety
Messenger® is extremely safe to humans. It exhibits virtually no acute toxicity to mammals and is classified as a Toxicity Category IV product (EPA’s lowest hazard rating). Environmental Fate
Messenger® poses no threat of ground water or surface-water contamination. Messenger® is non-persistent and does not accumulate in the environment. After application, the material degrades rapidly by natural sunlight and by microorganisms in the soil and on plants. At normal use rates, harpin protein is not detectable on plants or in the soil. Environmental Safety
Messenger® is EPA-classified as practically nontoxic to all species tested: birds, honeybees, fish and aquatic invertebrates. No special precautions are necessary to protect non-target organisms and sensitive habitats Messenger® will not burn or otherwise damage the appearance of your plants. Summary
Messenger® holds tremendous promise for gardeners worldwide. It is a protein-based, biodegradable plant health regulator
that stimulates the plant’s innate ability to protect itself and regulate its own health, allowing for increased plant growth and flowering. Messenger® -treated plants are healthier, have increased stamina and are better able to defend against outside stresses. In addition, Messenger® activates certain growth mechanisms that increase plant vigor and contribute to overall
plant health. This reinforcing circle of plant health leads to less disease, improved plant growth, enhanced bloom, and extended vase life. |