Abstract: Provided is a support member attachable to a groove formed in an annular shape in a transport base, and the support member is to be attached to the groove for supporting an object to be transported. The support member includes: a held portion to be held in the groove; and a support portion formed in an annular shape for supporting the object to be transported at a position separated from the transport base with the held portion held in the groove. The held portion is pivotable in the groove to cause the support portion to incline with respect to the transport base.

Abstract: A method of enhancing the quality of fruits and vegetables grown on trees and/or on plants by covering a substantial portion of the soil surrounding the plant or tree with a spunbonded nonwoven film-fibril sheet material that has been produced by a flash-spinning process. Preferably, the sheet comprises a plexifilamentary film-fibril sheet fabricated from a polyolefin such as polyethylene or polypropylene. When the spunbonded nonwoven film-fibril sheet material is used in this manner, it unexpectedly enhances fruit quality by providing excellent water resistance, moisture vapor permeability and air permeability.