Abstract: A hydroponic substrate includes a three-dimensional self-supporting, vertically stable fibrous body having an inner portion including a first fiber density and an outer crust portion including densified fiber having a second fiber density, the second fiber density being different than the first fiber density, the inner portion and the outer crust portion forming horizontal and vertical liquid pathways structured to distribute liquid throughout the body.

Abstract: A control release fertilizer (CRF) includes a plurality of prills having a nutrient core including one or more type of nutrients, an external wax coating, and a plurality of internal inter-crosslinked coating layers including a blend of a biodegradable seed-oil-based polyurethane and a wax, the external coating and the plurality of internal inter-crosslinked coating layers forming a semi-permeable membrane for the one or more types of nutrients.

Abstract: A method for making a dyed mulch composition or a dyed growing medium, the method comprising combining tree bark including one or more pigments and/or pigment precursors and wood components together to form an initial composition; heating the initial composition at a temperature greater than about 149° C. under steam in a pressurized vessel; processing the initial composition through a refiner with a plurality of opposing disks, the refiner separating the tree bark and wood components into fibers and separating the fibers from each other; and dyeing the wood components by the one or more pigments and/or pigment precursors while the tree bark and the wood components are being separated into fibers in the refiner to obtain dyed fibers.

Abstract: A plant growing medium comprising a self-supporting, semi-rigid body including at least two discreet parts, each part having a set of dimensions including a first thickness and a recess in an inner portion of the part, the at least two discreet parts being structured to cooperatively form the body, the body structured to provide support to plant roots.

Abstract: A mulch composition includes a blend of about 50-85 wt. % fibrous straw, based on the total weight of the composition; about 10-30 wt. % refined pulp fibers, based on the total weight of the composition; and about 10-40 wt. % fibrous wood components, based on the total weight of the composition, the blend having about 10-15 wt. % of particles having particle size of 2360 pm or greater.

Abstract: A propagation plug includes an irradiated, hydrophilic substrate body comprising a growing medium having bound organic fibers, the substrate body being rewettable and having a moisture content of less than about 20 wt. %, based on the total weight of the body, as measured according to ASTM test method no. D2216 and being sterile as evidenced by having an aerobic bacterial count of <10 cfu/g as measured by ISO test method no. 4833-1.

Abstract: A mulch composition includes a blend of about 50-85 wt. % fibrous straw, based on the total weight of the composition; about 10-30 wt. % refined pulp fibers, based on the total weight of the composition; and about 10-40 wt. % fibrous wood components, based on the total weight of the composition, the blend having about 10-15 wt. % of particles having particle size of 2360 ?m or greater.

Abstract: A fibrous propagation medium includes a volume of refined, acidic wood and/or bark fiber having about 2.3-5.0 vol. % of a particle size of 2.36-4.74 mm (sieve #8), based on the total volume of the wood fiber, moisture content of about 16-28 wt. %, and water holding capacity of about 50-95%, according to the NCSU Promoter Analysis.

Abstract: The invention is directed to coated fertilizer granules and methods for manufacturing granules and using organically enhanced inorganic fertilizer granules, which incorporate a coating of one or more concentric layers over a core such that the coating contains a bioactive agent such as a herbicide, pesticide, plant growth regulator, microorganism, or beneficial element. Application of the coating to the fertilizer granule preferably involves binding of the bioactive agent to the surface of granule or to the organic components within the granule. The release of the bioactive agent from the coating and or the surface of the granule preferably results in a two-phased release, a first fast release and a second extended or slow-release of the bioactive agent into the soil metering the bioavailability of the bioactive agent for crop growth or protection, and/or for controlling unwanted vegetation or pests.

Abstract: A controlled release fertilizer includes a core including plant nutrient particles and a biodegradable coating composition forming at least one layer surrounding the core, the composition comprising cellulose, the at least one layer being structured as a semi-permeable surface membrane configured to release the plant nutrients from the core in a linear manner.

Abstract: A method for making a growing medium includes a step of combining tree bark and/or wood components together to form an initial composition; heating the initial composition to a temperature greater than about 149° C. under steam in a pressurized vessel; processing the initial composition through a refiner with a plurality of opposing disks to obtain the fibrous growing medium, the refiner separating fibers from each other; wherein the growing medium has total porosity of 88 volume % or more.

Abstract: A method for making a growing medium includes a step of combining tree bark and/or wood components together to form an initial composition; heating the initial composition to a temperature greater than about 149° C. under steam in a pressurized vessel; processing the initial composition through a refiner with a plurality of opposing disks to obtain the fibrous growing medium, the refiner separating fibers from each other; wherein the growing medium has total porosity of 88 volume % or more.

Abstract: A controlled release fertilizer includes a core including plant nutrient particles and a biodegradable coating composition forming at least one layer surrounding the core, the composition comprising cellulose, the at least one layer being structured as a semi-permeable surface membrane configured to release the plant nutrients from the core in a linear manner.

Abstract: A composition includes a plurality of processed leguminous straw particles having about 18-21 wt. % of particles on sieve #25 or particles measuring 0.71-1.17 mm and about 18-20 wt. % of particles on sieve #50 or particles measuring 0.3-0.7 mm, based on total weight of the leguminous straw particles, the composition being a mulch composition.

Abstract: A mulch composition includes a blend of about 50-85 wt. % fibrous straw, based on the total weight of the composition; about 10-30 wt. % refined pulp fibers, based on the total weight of the composition; and about 10-40 wt. % fibrous wood components, based on the total weight of the composition, the blend having about 10-15 wt. % of particles having particle size of 2360 ?m or greater.

Abstract: A controlled release fertilizer includes a core including plant nutrient particles and a biodegradable coating composition forming at least one layer surrounding the core, the composition comprising cellulose, the at least one layer being structured as a semi-permeable surface membrane configured to release the plant nutrients from the core in a linear manner.

Abstract: This invention relates to the art of fertilizers and, more particularly, to a coated granular fertilizer in which the dissolution rates of water-soluble fertilizer components are controlled by coating or encapsulating a granular fertilizer. The coating for the timed-release fertilizer is derived from plant cellulose extracted from hemp cellulose, sugar cane cellulose, or other plant-based cellulose.

Abstract: An artificial turf field system is provided. The system may include a plurality of synthetic turf strands attached to a backing layer and an infill material positioned between the synthetic turf stands. The infill material may include a plurality of porous particles. A sub-layer may be included beneath the backing layer, and may be formed of a resilient material. A support layer may be included beneath the sub-layer, and may include materials configured for drainage. The porous particles of the infill material may include porous ceramic particles and the sub-layer may include rubber. The porous particles may be at least partially coated, for example, by a polymer coating. The infill material may be free of sand and/or crumb rubber.

Abstract: An artificial turf field system is provided. The system may include a plurality of synthetic turf strands attached to a backing layer and an infill material positioned between the synthetic turf stands. The infill material may include a plurality of porous particles. A sub-layer may be included beneath the backing layer, and may be formed of a resilient material. A support layer may be included beneath the sub-layer, and may include materials configured for drainage. The porous particles of the infill material may include porous ceramic particles and the sub-layer may include rubber. The porous particles may be at least partially coated, for example, by a polymer coating. The infill material may be free of sand and/or crumb rubber.

Abstract: Surface treatment compositions and their methods of preparation. Such surface treatment compositions can comprise a solid cross-linking agent and a water-soluble polymer. Such solid cross-linking agent can include a plurality of dialdehyde residues, and the water-soluble polymer can include a plurality of pendant groups capable of covalently bonding with the solid cross-linking agent. The surface treatment compositions can further comprise a fibrous material. Applications for such surface treatment compositions include soil erosion prevention, dust control, and landfill cover.