Abstract: A method for providing nutrients to a plant can include providing a nutrient composition and administering the nutrient composition to the plant or to soil or water having the plant so as to provide the plant nutrient to the plant. The nutrient composition can include: at least one biosurfactant penetrant selected from the group consisting of glycolipids, lipopeptides, flavolipids, lipoproteins, and combinations thereof; and a plant nutrient chelated or complexed with the at least one biosurfactant, the plant nutrient being selected from the group consisting of elicitors, plant-growth regulators, fertilizers, minerals, plant-stress reducing agents, and combinations thereof, wherein the nutrient composition is configured to penetrate into the plant. A method for retaining moisture in a cultivated plant is also disclosed. A method for treating a seed is also disclosed.

Abstract: A lytic virus specific for a target strain of a microorganism and substantially free of undesirable genes may be utilized in processes including control of populations of microorganisms. The virus may include a host-range mutant, or “h-mutant.” A method for generating virus includes growing virus-resistant variants of a target strain of a microorganism in the presence of viruses that are specific for the target strain. Only h-mutant viruses will proliferate. Wild-type virus-resistant and virus-resistant variants of a microorganism are also disclosed, as are methods generating such variants. Methods for controlling target strain microorganisms include introducing virus into a treatment site where control of a population of a target strain microorganism is desired or introducing virus-resistant variants of a microorganism into treatment sites where the presence of the microorganism is desired.

Abstract: Biosurfactants produced by microbes are used to control pests. The biosurfactants can be produced by cultivating a biosurfactant-producing microbe, producing a fermentation broth, and obtaining the biosurfactant from the fermentation broth. Alternately, the biosurfactants can be produced in situ in the environment of the pests by applying a carbon substrate to the pests' environment, which permits naturally-occurring biosurfactant-producing microbes to grow and to generate the biosurfactants. The biosurfactants have pesticidal qualities, and can be used to control a variety of pests, while being biodegradable and otherwise avoiding adverse environmental effects that have often been associated with conventional synthetic pesticides.

Abstract: Biosurfactants produced by microbes are used to control pests. The biosurfactants can be produced by cultivating a biosurfactant-producing microbe, producing a fermentation broth, and obtaining the biosurfactant from the fermentation broth. Alternately, the biosurfactants can be produced in situ in the environment of the pests by applying a carbon substrate to the pests' environment, which permits naturally-occurring biosurfactant-producing microbes to grow and to generate the biosurfactants. The biosurfactants have pesticidal qualities, and can be used to control a variety of pests, while being biodegradable and otherwise avoiding adverse environmental effects that have often been associated with conventional synthetic pesticides.

Abstract: A penetrating composition can include an active agent that has an activity that is either beneficial for plants or controls pests. The composition can also include a penetrant that is present in an effective amount for carrying the at least one active agent into or through a medium, the medium being at least one of a plant, soil, or pest. Also, penetrating composition can be used for increasing the permeation of an active agent in an animal. The composition includes an active agent having an activity that is beneficial for an animal. Also, the composition includes a penetrant selected from the group consisting of biosurfactants, glycolipids, lipopeptides, favolipids, lipoproteins, phospholipids, lipopolysaccharide-protein complexes, polysaccharide-protein-fatty acid complexes, and combinations thereof. A biosurfactant composition can include an effective amount of a biosurfactant for controlling a pest, preserving a plant cutting, or reducing effects of environmental stress on a plant.

Abstract: Biosurfactants produced by microbes are used to control pests. The biosurfactants can be produced by cultivating a biosurfactant-producing microbe, producing a fermentation broth, and obtaining the biosurfactant from the fermentation broth. Alternately, the biosurfactants can be produced in situ in the environment of the pests by applying a carbon substrate to the pests' environment, which permits naturally-occurring biosurfactant-producing microbes to grow and to generate the biosurfactants. The biosurfactants have pesticidal qualities, and can be used to control a variety of pests, while being biodegradable and otherwise avoiding adverse environmental effects that have often been associated with conventional synthetic pesticides.

Abstract: Methods for increasing methane emitted from organic waste and for collecting methane and other gaseous bi-products. A gas collection unit collects gas in a first separation tank, wherein the gas is separated into methane and other components. The methane is collected, and other components are diverted. A second separation tank receives diverted components combined with an acidic solution and further separates the components into carbon dioxide and other compounds. The carbon dioxide is collected for reuse in a variety of applications.

Abstract: A gas collection receptacle includes a segmented top portion and one or more side portions creating a volume for collecting gases. The gas collection receptacle, configured to float on a pond, lagoon, or other area, also includes interlocking side and end portions enabling multiple receptacles to connect, thus forming a substantially continuous covering.

Abstract: A flotation object floats on the surface of outdoor ponds and other bodies of water. The flotation object includes a circular middle portion and first and second hexagonal end portions. When the flotation objects are placed in a pond the objects contact each other in such a way that the flotation objects substantially interlock.

Abstract: A lytic virus specific for a target strain of a microorganism and substantially free of undesirable genes may be utilized in processes including control of populations of microorganisms. The virus may include a host-range mutant, or “h-mutant.” A method for generating virus includes growing virus-resistant variants of a target strain of a microorganism in the presence of viruses that are specific for the target strain. Only h-mutant viruses will proliferate. Wild-type virus-resistant and virus-resistant variants of a microorganism are also disclosed, as are methods generating such variants. Methods for controlling target strain microorganisms include introducing virus into a treatment site where control of a population of a target strain microorganism is desired or introducing virus-resistant variants of a microorganism into treatment sites where the presence of the microorganism is desired.

Abstract: A method for aseptically collecting blood from an animal carcass, preferably, a fetus. The method includes pooling blood from the placenta and umbilical cord into the cardiovascular system of the fetus and thereafter draining the blood from the fetus. The heart is exposed and the fetus is suspended with the exposed heart at a low point of the fetus torso. The heart is aseptically cannulated and the blood drained into an aseptic collection bag. Manipulation of the suspended fetus carcass stimulates the flow of blood.