Abstract: A composition comprising peat moss and one or more alkoxylates selected from the group consisting of alcohol alkoxylates and alkylphenol alkoxylates and, optionally, one or more polysaccharides, for example guars and/or guar derivatives. A synergistic effect of a combination of the alkoxylates and the polysaccharides was discovered. A method of preparing the peat moss composition and a method of using it are also disclosed.

Abstract: Turf (1) for sports, recreational activities and/or for ornamental purposes comprising a mat of flexible material (10) equipped with a first face (11) and a second face (12) opposite to each other. To the mat (10) a plurality of fibers (20) are connected of an artificial material in such a way that it forms an artificial turf (50) that protrudes from the first face (11). The turf (1) comprises, furthermore, a measured amount of a loose infill material (50), for example of granular type, distributed on the face (11) of the mat (10). The turf (1) comprises, furthermore, natural vegetable material, i.e. plants, belonging to one, or more plant species (30) put in the loose infill material (50) by means of sowing, transplantation of portions of plants, or a combination of the two solutions. The fibers of artificial material (20) have a profiled shape comprising a main blade (21) and at least one side wing (22).

Abstract: An apparatus for controlling or eradicating nematodes or other soil-borne pests having a heated metal roller having surface-mounted blades to heat the soil to a desired temperature and depth sufficient to effect control of the relevant species in the soil under the roller. The roller is heated with one or more burners firing across the surface of the roller. The apparatus further includes a heat exchanger through which the combustion products generated by the burner or burners are exhausted and in which the combustion air is preheated. In accordance with one embodiment, the heat exchanger condenses water vapor in the combustion products which water vapor, together with any water that evaporates from the soil during heating, may be captured and returned to the soil.

Abstract: A vegetation and support layer comprising a mixture of natural soil materials and wicks. The wicks are made of a water-conducting and air-conducting material in the form of an elongate intertwined structure such that the wicks distribute water and air within the vegetation and support layer. The wicks in the vegetation and support layer according to the invention are randomly mixed with the soil material, are arranged similar to a net, or are introduced from above. The wicks are arranged at a distance from a lower receptacle that is filled with water or from a groundwater conductor such that the wicks do not reach lower layers of water.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and system for sterilizing the soil for growing Korean ginseng by using an electron beam, which eliminates fungi harmful to ginseng's growth and development, and also relates to a system including: a conveyor which transfers the soil for growing Korean ginseng; a soil supplier which loads a predetermined amount of soil onto the conveyor to a predetermined height; an electron beam irradiator which applies electron beam to the soil for growing Korean ginseng being transferred by the conveyor to eliminate fungi contained in the soil for growing Korean ginseng; and an antagonistic rhizobacteria supplier which adds antagonistic rhizobacteria to the sterilized soil.

Abstract: A liftable support structure for a turf system, the support structure comprising a skeletal framework having an open based structure with upstanding sides and at least two parallel spaced cross beams, the framework defining open subsections, each subsection having a base defining a ledge structure, each subsection supporting a latticework panel that sits on the ledge structure, the framework having a plurality of spaced lifting points and the cross beams defining access to forklift tines. Also, a pallet for natural or artificial turf comprising a structure moulded in foamed plastics to have a closed planar top surface supported by a lattice work of mutually perpendicular walls defining a flexible open base, the structure defining a pair of elongate spaced parallel channels extending across each side to facilitate forklift tine entry.

Abstract: A method for cultivating a plant, wherein a substrate is formed, in which substrate a seed or a root of the plant is placed, which substrate containing the seed or the plant is placed in a holder for the plant to grow, characterised in that at least two substrate parts are formed, with the seed or a root of the plant being placed between said at least two substrate parts before the substrate containing the seed or the plant is placed in the holder.

Abstract: A greening structure comprising a plant-cultivatable planting portion on a water-reserving portion and laid on a pavement for forming a greening area. The greening structure further comprises post-shaped members provided substantially consecutively from a portion where an external force loaded on the planting portion is directly received, to the bottom of the water-reserving portion or to the pavement, so that the external force loaded on the planting portion is received on the pavement through the post-shaped members. The greening structure is excellent in the supporting strength and the stability to provide a satisfactory treading feel. The substantially consecutive post-shaped members include: first post-shaped members disposed upward from the bottom of the planting portion; and second post-shaped members disposed downward from the bottom of the planting portion.

Abstract: The present inventions generally relate to compositions and methods for providing agricultural chemicals comprising active ingredients (A.I.s) combined with a top dressing for application to cultivated areas of turfgrass. Specifically, the compositions are in the form of moist formulations for providing top dressings comprising active ingredients. Further, the inventions relate to compositions and methods for delivering active ingredients simultaneously with a top dressing composition to golf course turf.

Abstract: It is intended to establish a technology of controlling Gramineous plant seed-borne disease that avoids the danger of development of resistant pathogeus, being highly safe to environment andstable. There is provided a fungus having activity of controlling fungal disease and bacterial disease occurring during the raising of rice plant seedling, and are further provided, using the fungus as an active ingredient, a controlling agent, method of controlling and biological material.

Abstract: Turf (1) for playing sport, for recreation and/or for ornamental purpose comprising a flexible not biodegradable support (5) having a plurality of holes (6) for allowing the drainage of water through the support (5) same. To the flexible support (5) fibres (20) are connected of artificial material in order to form a turf of artificial blades extending from the upper side of the support (5). The fibres (20) are then kept substantially vertical by granular filling material (25), can be made of rubber granules (26). The turf (1) is therefore completed by living vegetable material put into the granular material by means of sowing, transplantation of portions of plants (15) or a combination thereof. Finally, the living vegetable material in the form of seeds (27), or of portions of plants (15), is watered and dressed as known in the art. The turf can be easily carried, rolled up, turned over without spreading the granular material, and laid in a desired moment on a desired support surface for immediate use.

Abstract: An artificial surface for the growing of turf forming grasses and other plants, comprising a mixture of rubber, a polymer modified bitumen emulsion and slow release, plant nutrient containing particles, mixed in sufficient proportions and to a substantially even distribution of each of the rubber, emulsion and particles throughout the mixture so that, when laid and cured, the mixture uniformly produces a water permeable, heat conductive surface having air pockets through which a root system of the turf forming grasses and other plants can penetrate, the plant nutrient containing particles being trapped within the surface for slow release of plant nutrient to the root system.

Abstract: A hand-operable device of mounting an anchoring pin and inserting the pin into the ground includes a hand-graspable elongate handle having an upper under and a lower end and a magnetic puck assembly fixed to the handle lower end for picking up an anchoring pin and maintaining in an insertion position until the pin is inserted into the ground.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a film for carpet type lawn culture. The film of the present invention is made of a synthetic resin and is configured such that a plurality of drain holes are bored at a predetermined interval and have their total area corresponding to 2% to 20% of an area of the film. According to the present invention, washout of a compost layer can be greatly reduced since water is smoothly discharged through the relatively large drain holes, and the lawn can absorb nutrients from the soil of the ground and grow well since roots of the lawn are taken into the soil of the ground.

Abstract: A conditionable particulate substrate structure, and in particular a growing medium suitable for the growth of vegetable matter in a surface layer, is described. The structure has a particulate base of soil or the like, a generally planar electrokinetic geosynthetic upper electrode disposed generally horizontally in a surface layer of the particulate base; a lower electrode disposed within the base generally underneath and parallel to the upper electrode, and means to connect an electrical power source between the two electrodes to apply a potential difference thereacross to drive an electro-osmotic process and thus to alter the moisture level in the vicinity of the upper electrode and further to generate gas at the upper electrode. A method for conditioning a substrate, and a method for the creation of a conditioned substrate, are also described.

Abstract: A turfgrass or landscape planting moisture and air reservoir, base soil weed germination preventor, and insect soil movement preventor employing a substantially continous dimensional reticulated panel on the soil surface which turf grass or ornamental landscape plantings are placed or produced, the panel allowing the turf grass and ornamental landscape planting roots to go downward through it but not allowing the leaf or stem area of weeds sprouting from the base soil to move up through it and also not allowing insects to move up or down through it and holding air and water within its area for the turf grass or ornamental plant roots growing through the pane material.

Abstract: Organic media are derived from natural organic materials, which are coconut dust, simple coconut dust, or those containing coconut staple fibers, coconut pericarp chips, and are beaten bark, which is both broadleaf trees and needleleaf trees, and sawdust. These natural organic materials contain a lot of organic acids and salt (NaCl). The feature of the present invention is treatment using the modifying reagents to eliminate the organic acids and salt that adversely affect the cultivation of plants. The modifying reagents consist of at least one salt selected from among iron salts and aluminum salts, and the modified organic media obtained by modifying the natural organic materials with the modifying reagents. The natural organic materials are preferably coconut dusts, beaten bark, and sawdust. The modifying materials of 0.1 to 5 g is preferably applied to the natural organic materials of 100 g in dry weight.

Abstract: A synthetic grass surface includes widely spaced rows of ribbons projecting from a flexible backing sheet. Thermal regulating means are attached to the backing sheet in the spaces between the rows of the ribbons. A relatively thick infill layer is disposed on the top of the backing sheet, thereby burying the thermal regulating means and holding the ribbons upright. The infill layer may include a growing medium for plant growth. In one embodiment, electric cables are integrated into the synthetic grass surface in order to heat the surface for de-icing or to maintain plant root warmth. In another embodiment, perforated flexible pipes are integrated into the synthetic grass surface to moisten the surface, thereby cooling the surface when the moisture evaporates. The thermal regulating system of the invention is energy-efficient and economical to install and operate.

Abstract: A system for modifying the surface temperature and/or relative humidity of golf greens or other grass playing fields by applying temperature controlled air and/or a water mist through pop-up nozzles. The nozzles are controlled by a central control panel which activates the nozzles based on input from temperature sensitive probes in the greens.

Abstract: A modular synthetic grass turf assembly includes a plurality of synthetic grass units which are transportable, adapted to be laid flat on a field and fit side by side to provide a flat and continuous synthetic grass surface for activities. Each unit includes a deformable and resilient base sheet preferably with drainage grooves and bores if it is for outdoor use. A synthetic grass turf with an infill layer of particulate materials disposed interstitially between synthetic grass fibers is attached to the top of the base sheet to provide a grass surface with a required quality. A number of units may have irregular shapes or be painted in different colors to illustrate letters, marks or logos. The modular synthetic grass turf assembly is conveniently transported from a storage facility to a site and assembled for a synthetic grass activity surface, such as sports playing surface, roadside advertisements or other applications.

Abstract: Soil treatment and fertilizer compositions comprising: A) a calcined diatomaceous earth; B) an effective quantity of beneficial microorganisms that a) enhance plant growth and, where applicable, crop production, and/or b) control various types of pathogens in the soil, optionally in combination with nutrients selected to maintain the viability of the microorganisms and/or increase their population; and C) at least one nitrogen-containing compound compatible with soil and with plants and which can be utilized by the plants either directly or in the form of products obtained by the action of soil microbes.

Abstract: A composite membrane comprising a first layer of fine mesh secured at closely spaced intervals to a plastics sheet, the plastics sheet having an array of apertures, the area of the apertures being less to 15% of the area of the sheet.