Abstract: A method for modulating plant growth is provided whereby seedlings that are grown in containers such as blocks are fertilized at lift. Prior to fertilization, the block, which has numerous plug cavities, is restrained. The seedlings, which are grown in plugs formed in plug cavities, are supported and a bore is drilled into the bottom of the plug. The bore extends to the top of the plug to produce a small port, which serves as a port for expulsion of air during the injection operation. The fertilizer is measured in a metering roller and is then pneumatically injected into the bore in the plug. Upon completion of the injection, the bore is closed to reduce the loss of fertilizer from the plug. The various operations may be automated or performed manually.

Abstract: The present invention is directed, in certain embodiments, to improved, small scale systems and methods able to selectively treat parts of a single cell, including, in certain embodiments, portions of a main body portion of a single cell, and able, in certain embodiments, to establish long-term gradients of active substances within subcellular regions of a single cell. The present invention provides, in some embodiments, techniques for selectively contacting a portion of the surface of a biological cell with a fluid or fluid component carrying a particular potential for a biophysical or biochemical interaction with the cell, and simultaneously contacting a different portion of the surface of the cell with another fluid or fluid component having a different potential for the biophysical or biochemical interaction with the cell.

Abstract: The present invention is directed, in certain embodiments, to improved, small scale systems and methods able to selectively treat parts of a single cell, including, in certain embodiments, portions of a main body portion of a single cell, and able, in certain embodiments, to establish long-term gradients of active substances within subcellular regions of a single cell. The present invention provides, in some embodiments, techniques for selectively contacting a portion of the surface of a biological cell with a fluid or fluid component carrying a particular potential for a biophysical or biochemical interaction with the cell, and simultaneously contacting a different portion of the surface of the cell with another fluid or fluid component having a different potential for the biophysical or biochemical interaction with the cell.

Abstract: An apparatus is used for distributing a slurry flow to plural feed conduits. It has particular application in the injection of swine manure into the soil as fertilizer. The apparatus includes a circular manifold with a central inlet for delivering slurry to the manifold and outlet ports spaced around the outer wall of the manifold for connection to the respective feed conduits. An impeller in the manifold has back swept impeller blades mounted for rotation so that the impeller blades sweep in sequence past the outlet ports. The impeller blades produce pressurized zones in front of them as they sweep in sequence past the outlet ports. This produces a pulsating flow in the feed conduits, ameliorating blockage problems with the conduits. The impeller also includes knives that rotate around the inside of the outer wall and anvils mounted on the outer wall so the knives will act with the anvils to sever trash in the slurry flow. The knives and the anvils are oppositely inclined to produce a shearing action.