Abstract: The invention relates to growing medium structures comprising Sphagnum moss, to a foam-laid method for their manufacture and to the use thereof in horticulture, landscaping and forestry applications.

Abstract: The automated trimming of an untrimmed plant stem comprises a device for transporting an untrimmed plant stem to an imaging stage, using a camera to capture at least one image of the plant stem, sending the at least one image to a central processor which creates a trim map which constructs a pattern for moving a cutting armature along the plant stem, and trimming the plant stem by cutting structure of the cutting armature to change the untrimmed plant stem to a trimmed plant stem.

Abstract: A separately attachable poultry perching system and device, specifically to be utilized with long poultry feed troughs hung from barn rafters. The device comprising separately attachable and detachable components for assembly onto an already assembled and in place poultry feed trough device and system.

Abstract: A system for growing a plant (1) in an at least partly conditioned environment includes a cultivation base (11) for receiving a culture substrate (3) with a root system (4) of the plant therein. Root temperature control elements (12) are provided which are able and adapted to impose a predetermined root temperature on the root system, and lighting elements (20,21,22) which are able and adapted to expose leaves of the plant to actinic artificial light. Leaf heating elements are also provided, which are able and adapted to impose on the leaf of the plant a leaf temperature varying from an ambient temperature. In a method for growing the plant a carbon dioxide assimilation management of a leaf system of the plant is thus influenced, and a supply of actinic light, the root temperature and the carbon dioxide assimilation management are adapted to each other.

Abstract: An improved Coanda effect fish pump that allows for improved pump performance with enhanced and unsymmetrical-irregularities features in circumferential flow gaps and orifice flutes that improve water flow distribution and pump performance. Design features improve fish quality during pumping and can be designed to remove sea lice from salmon. The features reduce spinning in the pump, correct for unsymmetrical input water pressure distribution, and reshape water velocities to more effectively remove sea lice.

Abstract: A method of improving the growth of plants belonging to the family Cannabaceae sensu stricto by providing a plant nutrient solution about the plant roots and a gas mixture circulating about the plant shoot; by selecting the gas mixture and plant nutrient solution temperature independently of the other; and providing a plant nutrient solution to gas mixture temperature differential of approximately 0° F. or of at least approximately 15° F. during different phases of plant development, in order to change the plant development to improve a desired plant organ for industrial, scientific, and medical purposes. Infection of plants by Pythium, Fusarium, Verticillium, and Rizoctonia are treated or prevented by selecting a gas mixture temperature that is approximately 65 to 85° F. and a plant nutrient solution temperature that is approximately 35 to 65° F.

Abstract: An apparatus and system is disclosed for facilitating an angler in placing fish into a weigh-in bag from a boat's live well. The apparatus includes a post for inserting into a seat post receiver of a boat, and has a hook on its top for receiving handles of a weigh-in bag. The apparatus also preferably includes a fill tube connected to the pumping system of a boat's live well plumbing system. The apparatus holds and fills the bag in a position and location convenient to allow an angler to use both hands to retrieve a fish from a live well and then insert the fish into the bag.

Abstract: A seedling-cutting apparatus includes a pair of arms that is to nip a portion of a stem of a seedling for grafting and that can be opened and closed and a blade that is provided so as to be capable of reciprocating relative to the portion of the stem. At least one of the pair of arms includes a through hole or a cutout that penetrates a portion of the arms along a direction in which the blade reciprocates. At least a portion of the through hole or the cutout faces the portion of the stem and at least a portion of the blade moves through the through hole or the cutout.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for utilizing fine-particle peat, in particular to a method for improving the stability of planting substrates.

Abstract: A raised-bed planter structure includes a plurality of elongated, horizontally extending bed panels secured to elongated, vertically extending joint members to form a close sided structure open at a top and bottom. Each bed panel includes elongated planar edge flanges joined by a longitudinally extending arched center section. The bed panels are constructed from a fiber reinforced resin and formed using a pultrusion process. The bed panels are secured to the joint members by fasteners which extend through ends of the edge flanges. The assembled planter bed structure is positioned at a desired location in a landscape and filled with soil to receive and support plant life.

Abstract: A steel structure cage for marine crustacean aquaculture and integration thereof into a vertical fish-crustacean aquaculture system are disclosed. The steel structure cage includes a steel frame, top, side and bottom net systems, a ballast tank system, and steel grooves. The steel frame includes internal and external steel frames. The steel grooves are fixed on upper and lower ends of the internal steel frame. Edges of the top and bottom net systems are respectively fixed into the corresponding steel grooves. The side net is welded on the internal steel frame. The ballast tank system is arranged between the internal and external steel frames. A HDPE cage is moored to the steel structure cage to form a vertical aquaculture system. Whereby, an ideal culturing environment for marine crustaceans is given and the objective of vertical aquaculture “culturing fish at top water layers and culturing prawns (crabs or cowries) at bottom water layers” can be fulfilled.

Abstract: An apparatus and method deliver fluid treatments to a targeted plant. The apparatus comprises a two-piece protective shell joined on one side by a spring-hinge. When the two piece outer protective shell is open, a fluid treatment is applied to a liquid retaining material within the protective shell. A portion of a targeted plant is placed within the open outer protective shell. The two piece outer protective shell is then closed, creating a sealed containment environment that is immediately protected from environmental disturbance, prevents distribution of fluid treatment to non-treated plant materials, and will retain, store, and prevent leakage of the fluid treatment. The closed outer protective shell also clasps the plant portion, forcing contact of the target plant portion with fluid treatment residing on and within the liquid retaining material. The apparatus remains attached to the targeted plant while the fluid treatment is absorbed through systemic plant processes.

Abstract: A drinker system, comprising: a central pressure regulator configured regulate a fluid pressure to a regulated input pressure; and a plurality of pressure reducers each comprising: a high-pressure zone configured to receive the fluid from the regulator at the regulated input pressure, a low-pressure zone configured to provide the fluid to one of multiple drinker lines at a low output pressure maintained at a constant proportion to the regulated input pressure, and a moveable integral piece comprising a small diaphragm rigidly connected to a large diaphragm, wherein the small diaphragm is disposed in the high pressure zone and the large diaphragm is disposed in the low pressure zone, and wherein the constant proportion between the low output pressure and the regulated input pressure corresponds to the ratio between the surface area of the small diaphragm and the surface area of the large diaphragm.

Abstract: A method of providing packaged, live produce includes providing a plurality of seeds for different plant species, providing a foam growing media, inserting at least one of each type of seed for the different plant species into the foam growing media, growing the seeds inserted into the foam growing media to provide a young rooted plant having roots projecting from the foam growing media and having leaves from the different plant species, and transferring the young rooted plant including the foam growing media to a hydroponic system for producing a fully grown plant having the roots projecting from the foam growing media. While leaving the roots projecting from the foam growing media, the fully grown plant is removed from the hydroponic system and placed in a package having a fluid reservoir. When disposed inside the package, the roots of the fully grown plant are in communication with the fluid reservoir.

Abstract: A hydroponic plant grow cabinet including a housing. The housing has a main plant growing chamber and a pre-growing chamber for seeds/seedlings, main tank and auxiliary tanks for a nutrient solution and pH level regulating solutions, pumps and tubing, a light source, a ventilator, a controller, sensors, a display, a loudspeaker, a user input, a network communication device, a connection to an electric main, and connections to water mains and sewage.

Abstract: An apparatus for applying one or more substances to an area of interest, the apparatus having sensors detecting one or more conditions of a sample area proximate the sensor, wherein, the control system is configured to allow for an operator selection between distributing or not distributing a substance or substances via the independently operable outlet(s) controlled by the control system when the control system determines: the sample area proximate at least one sensor or group of sensors is having one or more conditions which meet at least one predetermined condition parameter for that or those condition(s); or the sample area proximate at least one sensor or group of sensors is having one or more conditions which do not meet at least one predetermined condition parameter for that or those condition(s).

Abstract: A pet chew toy allowing for the self-cleaning of teeth by domestic pets. The pet toy includes one or more cavities into which a pet's teeth may engage, and the inner and outer surfaces of the cavities may have scrubbing elements designed to enhance removal of plaque and other unhygienic products from a pet's teeth and gums. The chew toy may further include projections to enhance stabilization of the chew toy by the pet, and a reservoir and dispensing system for pet toothpaste or similar additive.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a support system for temporarily supporting a plant via a fixed structure of vertical poles which support at least one substantially horizontal support cord, the support system comprising: a substantially vertical alignment wire having a top end and a bottom end; a curve greater than 180° in the top end of the vertical alignment wire forming a hanging hook portion configured to be selectively supported by one of the support cords; at least one supporting bracket coupled to one of the substantially horizontal support cords and capturing the alignment wire and the plant; wherein the alignment wire maintains vertical orientation of the plant substantially above the point at which the plane protrudes from the ground.

Abstract: Implementations described and claimed herein provide systems and methods for attracting different types of wild birds, as chosen by a user. In one implementation, a top section is configured to engage a cap, and a bottom section positioned opposite the top section includes at least one feeding station. A supporting member extends vertically from the bottom section to the top section. The supporting member, the top section, and the bottom section forma frame. A reversible insert has an elongated body extending between a first edge and a second edge. The first edge has a plurality of ports, and the second edge one or more slots. The frame is adapted to receive the reversible insert in an orientation based on a size of the bird seed.

Abstract: A system comprising a teat preparation cup coupled to a vacuum pump. A first pressure sensor measures the vacuum level of the vacuum pump. A second pressure sensor measures vacuum level inside the preparation cup. The system further comprises a controller comprising an interface, a memory, and a processor. The processor determines if the vacuum pump has sufficient vacuum level and communicates instructions to induce a partial vacuum in the teat preparation cup. The processor determines if the teat preparation cup has a vacuum level greater than a vacuum threshold value and when this condition is achieved, communicates instructions to initiate a teat preparation cycle comprising allowing fluid flowing from a fluid source container through the teat preparation cup into a fluid disposal container.