Letter of March 27, 2001 received from Arise Research & Discovery, Inc.

Subject: Sulfate vs. Oxysulfate Solubility

Pursuant to our phone conversation this A.M., I will explain the solubility issue further.

The oxysulfate materials presently generated by Cameron Chemicals meet all of the demands regarding solubility and more.

The issue of solubility dates back to the 1960’s research when Oxysulfates were not actively marketed. New research is scientifically proving a strong growth influence with the Oxysulfates.

Oxysulfates have two distinct functions in fertility. These are: 1.) The immediate solubility for plant root interception and 2.)Slow release during the growing season. Copper oxysulfate is extremely beneficial to Cereal Grains because of this. Copper aids with chlorophyll production in short daylight photo-periods. Sulfates leave the exchange complexes in shorter amounts of time thus limiting availability during the growing season.

Arise Research & Discovery, Inc. has been testing sulfate and oxysulfate formulations with Zinc, Manganese, Crop Mixes and Copper the past six years. Data indicates whether the element moves by root interception, diffusion or gravitation, availability is sufficient, then slow soluability feeds roots during the growing season. The element’s availability during plant growth is critical to the flowering of the plant.

Present rate structures by your company fulfill solubility issues of universities and add seasonal availability plus soil buildup.

Solubility is only part of the issue in understanding fertility. As new genetics advance and root masses become smaller in volume, Oxysulfates provide an excellent source as carriers for season long fertility.

Data over six years at this station indicates the use of Oxysulfates over sulfates is
producing better plant health, more yield and test weight and more podding. This advantage, when converted to dollars, has been showing an excellent return on investments.

John, many dealers get caught up in the Westphal Study out of Colorado State University. This study was conducted in a greenhouse using eight pounds of soil in a pot and replicated. The soil was a sand base. The treatments were based on volume weight and not area. To me, this greatly distorted the study, because it certainly is not the way we do it in the field. If his treatment were taken to the field, the amounts per acre would be extremely high. Furthermore, the test was short in length and the corn plants, in many cases, were still utilizing seed energy. I would expect plants to look the way they did in the photographs, but they would not look like that in 60 days. His test was only 42 days.

In 1998, we duplicated his test in our greenhouse using a silt loam and silty clay loam. We saw no difference in emergence, color, or height. We did this again in 1999, and found the same responses.

If you have any further questions, please feel free to contact me.

Sincerely,
Dr. Roy M. Stephen
President & CEO
Arise Research & Discovery, Inc.