Abstract: A method of managing timberland to optimize the combined revenue of a softwood tree crop and an energy crop generally includes planting a softwood tree crop in adjacent first and second rows, wherein the softwood tree crop has a tree spacing between adjacent trees and a row spacing in the range of about 15 to about 25 feet between the first and second rows, planting an energy crop in the row spacing, wherein the energy crop is a regenerating lignocellulosic energy crop, and periodically harvesting the energy crop. Methods of managing timberland to optimize the plot growth rate for a plot including a softwood tree crop and an energy crop, and to optimize the total plot volume of a softwood tree crop and an energy crop are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for cultivating sugar cane comprising cutting the stalk of an adult sugar cane plant into pieces, placing the stalk pieces containing at least one node in a humid medium, removing the shoots emerged from the nodes of the stalk or of the stalk pieces, optionally removing the newly emerged shoots, where this step can be repeated one or several times, removing the newly formed shoots when they are 10 to 60 cm long in such a way that they comprise meristematic tissue, planting these shoots in a growth medium, growing seedlings from the shoots at a temperature of at least 15° C., and 10 to 120 days after planting the shoots, planting the seedlings grown from the shoots to the field if the growth medium is not a field, or, in case the growth medium is a field, exposing the seedlings obtained from the shoots to ambient conditions.

Abstract: A maple syrup production spout assembly (10) with a backflow check valve (79) is disclosed. The spout assembly is designed for use with vacuum-based maple syrup productions systems (200) and is used to prevent the backflow of sap (270) into the maple tree (100) and thus prevent the drying out of the taphole (110) due to microbial contamination. Certain existing maple production spout assemblies can be retrofitted to form the backflow check valve spout assembly disclosed herein. Methods of using the spout assembly in maple syrup production are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of growing plants can comprise providing plants at a density at least 10% greater than generally recommended plant density, contacting the plants with a plant growth regulator when they have at least two true leaves, and contacting the plants with a crop-enhancing fungicide on the same day or up to 60 days later.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides methods of separating plant germinants from gelled germination medium.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a product intended to be added to crop or plantation irrigation water, comprising a composition containing one or more water-soluble polymers and an effervescent system, wherein the composition is in the form of a powder, and in particular a powder of individualized particles, said composition being confined in a water-soluble film.

Abstract: A method for growing plants is disclosed. The method includes the steps of mixing a gel precursor that is characterized by the ability to absorb water, form a viscous gel, provide water and nutrition to a plant, and remain capable of being reconstituted with a fresh supply of water, with a gel-forming nutrient composition in an amount sufficient to create a viscous gel, and adding a plant item selected from the group consisting of seeds and seedlings to the gel.

Abstract: This invention provides a plant health diagnostic method and a plant health diagnostic device for detecting initial disorder of a plant individual body carrying pests or the like in a large-scale plant cultivation field. The plant health diagnostic method is for diagnosing a health state of a plant in accordance with chlorophyll fluorescence emitted from chlorophyll of a plant body. The method includes: obtaining a first minimum point s after a maximum point p having largest chlorophyll fluorescence intensity and a first maximum point m after the minimum point s on a time course curve for the chlorophyll fluorescence intensity; defining chlorophyll fluorescence intensity values at the minimum point s and the first maximum point m after the minimum point s as S and M, respectively; and comparing the value S and the value M to evaluate the state of the plant.

Abstract: Methods and coatings for a sugarcane stem section are shown and described. In one example, the disclosure includes a stem section that has been coated with a fatty acid component. In another example, the disclosure includes a method of growing sugarcane comprising planting a stem section that has been coated with a fatty acid component.

Abstract: The present invention provides for novel biochar compositions and a method for producing a new substrate for growing plants using the biochar and a method for growing plants using the biochar composition substrate.

Abstract: Water vapor is extracted from air in a process in which water vapor from large volumes of air is concentrated by absorption into a small volume of hygroscopic liquid (14), from which it is recovered by passage through a selective layer (12).

Abstract: The invention herein relates to a procedure to assist in the germination, growth and development of seeds or plants, from a support of plant origin especially from macrophyte plants. A fundamental part of the procedure involves a support of plant origin which consists of a longitudinal segment of the leaf of a macrophyte plant that has been dried, the result being the appearance of a macaroon, having an outer plant coating and an inner circular portion filled with a porous tissue. This procedure described herein involves the use of the support of plant origin described above for the germination of seeds contributing to the growth and feeding of the seed until it becomes a plant, using the segment of macrophyte, said segment having particular characteristics as provider of oxygen and nutrition.

Abstract: The instant invention relates to a process for enhancing plant growth in greenhouses or plant tunnels or over mulches by incorporating one or more yellow pigments or dyes into a greenhouse, mulch film or glazing and exposing the plants through or over such film to solar radiation so that specific and defined ratios of the light transmitted, emitted or reflected between 410 to 450 nm, 380 to 410 nm and 450 to 500 nm are obtained. A further aspect of the invention is the use of one or more yellow pigments or dyes as plant growth enhancing additive in polymeric films for greenhouses, plant tunnels or mulches or a coating for greenhouse glazing so that specific and defined ratios of the light transmitted, emitted or reflected between 410 to 450 nm, 380 to 410 nm and 450 to 500 nm are obtained.

Abstract: A chemical reaction is presently taking place in the troposphere: carbon dioxide and water vapor interact at low temperature resulting in a very slow reaction rate. The purpose of this publication is to advance the acceleration of such and ultimately regulate the total carbon dioxide in the planet. Usual techniques in improving reaction kinetics are employed. A state formulation with redundant measurements, together with the identification of a reaction state transition matrix is presented. Measurement monitoring and the mathematics keep track of the concentrations of water vapor and carbon dioxide to guide aeration decisions in each state zone.

Abstract: There is provided a structure including water repellent sand obtained by applying water repellent coating to sand, a plant having roots that grow in the water repellent sand, and a plurality of water retaining layers scattered in the water repellent sand, such that each of the roots grows to reach at least one of the water retaining layers.

Abstract: A garden tile comprises a body including a top and a first edge. The body is constructed of a rigid material allowing a person to walk upon the body without substantially deforming the body and without substantially deforming the water channel. Further, the top of the body includes a water channel that is sloped toward the first edge of the body. When placed in a garden, the water channel directs water from the top of the tile to any plant roots near the first edge of the garden tile.

Abstract: A method for rapidly growing a tree includes obtaining a cultivating material by cutting a length of a trunk or a bough from a tree. Twigs are removed from the cultivating material. A wound healing agent is applied on a severed end and on wounds of the cultivating material. A periphery of the lower section of the cultivating material is cut to form a plurality of grooves. The severed end is cut to obtain an oblique face. A root-growing agent is applied on the periphery of the lower section and the oblique face. The lower section of the cultivating material is planted into earth. A shield is wrapped around an intermediate section of the cultivating material. The cultivating material is cultivated for a plurality of months for growing roots from the lower section of the cultivating material and growing branches and leaves from a top section of the cultivating material.

Abstract: A structure for reinforcing a greening member includes and a construction method thereof are provided. The structure for reinforcing a greening member comprises a greening member adapted for being placed on a surface of an area to be greened, a positioning cover (2), a positioning member (3) and a rope (4). The positioning member is adapted to be inserted into the ground of the area to be greened. A positioning member is provided with a pivot portion (31). One end of the rope is fixedly connected to the pivot portion, and the other end is exposed out of the ground of the area to be greened and passes through the greening member to reach the positioning cover. The other end of the rope is fixed by the positioning cover.

Abstract: A process for the germination and/or modulation of plant development by subjecting plants to simulated hypergravity conditions as a way of increasing efficiency and speed of plant development and/or germination.

Abstract: In various embodiments, a method for removing selected ellepots from a plurality of germination ellepot trays and remapping the selected ellepots to a planting ellepot tray is provided. The method can include placing one of a plurality of germination ellepot trays onto an ellepot ejection dock of an ellepot workstation. Each germination ellepot tray comprises an array of ellepot receptacles having an ellepot disposed in each receptacle, wherein each ellepot is populated with a plant germinating therein. The method can additionally include, acquiring tray information identifying the respective germination ellepot tray, and automatically dislodging one or more selected populated ellepots from the respective germination ellepot tray utilizing the acquired germination ellepot tray information. Subsequently, each dislodged populated ellepot is sequentially transferred from the respective germination ellepot tray to one of a plurality of receptacles of a planting ellepot tray.

Abstract: A plant conditioner composition, a method of manufacture for the composition, and a method of use for the composition to be applied to a plant is disclosed, with the composition including a distilled water and at least two carbohydrates that are preferably found from the grouping of molasses, honey, and dextrose. Further included in the plant conditioner composition is a vitamin B component, an orange oil component, a lemon oil component, a tea tree oil component, a hydrogen peroxide component, and an organic detergent component. A derivative plant conditioner composition that additionally includes a sea salt, a sodium bicarbonate, a potassium bicarbonate, and a canola oil forms a plant mold reduction composition and a further derivative plant conditioner composition that has an increased concentration of hydrogen peroxide to act as a pre harvest composition for inducing plant shutdown for a selected time period.

Abstract: A method of cutting crops is suitable for the production of biofuel. The crops are of the kind that first grows a stem bearing seeds and subsequently grows branches bearing seeds. The crops are irrigated and grown until a majority of them have grown seeds and then are cut by a motor vehicle before a majority of them have grown branches bearing seeds.

Abstract: The present invention relates to Cry1Ab coding sequences and to polynucleotides that comprise promoter sequences operably-linked to Cry1Ab coding sequences useful for expression in transgenic plants to control target insect pests that feed on leaves while allowing non-target insects to feed on pollen of the transgenic plant. The invention further relates to transgenic plants comprising the polynucleotides and to methods of controlling target insect pests.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for cultivating sugar cane comprising planting sugar cane shoots in a growth medium, growing seedlings from the shoots at a temperature of at least 15° C. and 10-120 days after having planted the shoots planting the seedlings obtained therefrom into the field if the growth medium is not a field, or, in case the growth medium is a field, exposing the seedlings obtained from the shoots to ambient conditions, where the seedling, while growing, is treated with at least one strobilurin fungicide and/or at least one carboxamide fungicide and/or at least one GABA antagonist insecticide and/or at least one nicotinic receptor agonists/antagonist insecticide and/or at least one chloride channel activator insecticide.

Abstract: Methods of preparing plant-derived proteins or suprastructure proteins, are provided. The method may comprise obtaining a plant, or plant matter comprising apoplast-localized proteins, or suprastructure proteins, producing a protoplast/spheroplast fraction and apoplast fraction from the plant or plant matter, and recovering the apoplast fraction. The apoplast fraction comprises plant-derived proteins or suprastructure proteins. Alternatively, the proteins, or suprastructure proteins, may be obtained from plant or plant matter comprising plant-derived proteins or suprastructure proteins, by digesting the plant matter using a cell wall degrading enzyme composition to produced a digested fraction. The digested fraction is filtered to produced a filtered fraction, and the plant-derived proteins or suprastructure proteins, are recovered from the filtered fraction.

Abstract: A system for evaluating the phytotoxicity and/or injury of plants is described. Plants are planted in row sections and a cart is used to pass a radiometric sensor over the row sections. The cart has a radiometric sensor assembly positioned above the row section. Each sensor assembly generates a data signal and a computer receives and stores the data signals. The field cart is positioned above the row sections and measures the existence of plants in the row section and the quantity of vegetation in the row section.

Abstract: The present invention provides a plant propagation medium, the improvement comprising a manure having a moisture content of 10 to 35 wt % with a salt level sufficient to achieve a conductivity of less than 0.35 dS/m. Also disclosed is a method of manufacturing a manure product and the manure product itself.

Abstract: A method for enhancing the growth of a horticultural plant comprising applying to the surface of the horticultural plant an effective amount of an ultrafine, dry ground calcite. The applied ultrafine, dry ground calcite transmits about 95% or greater, and reflects about 5% or less, of light in the PAR and UV wavelengths.

Abstract: The Reduction and Induction of Protein Folding is a process where isotopes of atoms that compose a protein are replaced by other isotopes that can either enhance proper or improper protein folding in a living organism. To enhance proper protein folding, atoms or molecules with isotopes with typically the same number of protons and neutrons can be applied to a living organism through a created environment. To enhance improper protein folding, atoms or molecules with isotopes with typically different number of protons and neutrons can be applied to a living organism through a created environment. The isotopes in an atom or molecule can be accumulated and created artificially, respectively, where the living organism consumes the accumulated atoms or created molecules where eventually the living organism will only contain the isotopes or molecules that contain the desired isotopes.

Abstract: This manual and localized weeding apparatus (1) comprises a heat generator (4) which is attached to a rod (2). The heat generator (4) comprises a fan and a heating resistor projecting a hot air jet (J1) into an inner volume (V5) of a bell (5) provided with a free edge (551) for supporting the apparatus (1) on the ground. According to the invention, the bell (5) is provided with at least one hole for discharging an air jet (J2) from the inner volume (V5) of the bell (5). The hole is separated from the free edge (551) by a distance of more than 2 cm.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for evaluating germination properties of plant seeds and/or of sprouts developed from the plant seeds, on the basis of anatomical characteristics (x, y) at a particular point in time, wherein determining the anatomical characteristics (x, y) at a particular point in time comprises analyzing the plant seeds and/or sprouts using at least one imaging method and obtaining three-dimensional analysis data (410) at a particular point in time, segmenting the analysis data (400) at a particular point in time and associating segments (516--519) thus obtained into anatomical units of the plant seeds and/or sprouts, and determining the anatomical characteristics (x, y) of the anatomical units of the plant seeds and/or sprouts at a particular point in time from the associated segments (516-519) at at least one point in time.

Abstract: A method is provided comprising (i) growing a plant in a substantially transparent container charged with a particulate, non-transparent growing medium; and (ii) evaluating plant roots through said transparent container by digital imaging. An apparatus for evaluating plant roots in a high throughput manner is also provided.

Abstract: An apparatus for applying one or more substances to an area of interest, the apparatus having sensors detecting one or more conditions of a sample area proximate the sensor, wherein, the control system is configured to allow for an operator selection between distributing or not distributing a substance or substances via the independently operable outlet(s) controlled by the control system when the control system determines: the sample area proximate at least one sensor or group of sensors is having one or more conditions which meet at least one predetermined condition parameter for that or those condition(s); or the sample area proximate at least one sensor or group of sensors is having one or more conditions which do not meet at least one predetermined condition parameter for that or those condition(s).

Abstract: The present invention provides for novel methods to facilitate germplasm improvement activities through the use of high throughput, nondestructive sampling of seeds. A method for analyzing a population of haploid seeds generally includes providing a population of seeds comprising haploid seeds, removing tissue samples from a plurality of the seeds in the population using an automated seed sampler system while preserving the germination viability of the sampled seeds, and analyzing the tissue samples for the presence or absence of one or more characteristics indicative of at least one genetic or chemical trait.

Abstract: Methods of transporting or causing transport of a plant or plant part between two locations are provided. For example, plants or plant parts are placed in a support substrate that is free of organic soil, peat, humus or bark at a first location and transported to a second location. Methods for growing plants are also provided comprising, for example, receiving a transported plant or plant part embedded in a support substrate that is essentially free of organic soil, peat or bark and growing a plant therefrom.

Abstract: A process for breeding plants which comprises growing plants of a species in an array of containers charged with growing medium of uniform characteristics in an environment of controlled climatic conditions with controlled supply of nutrients and feed water and changing the positions of the containers within the environment as required to ensure at least substantially uniform exposure of all plants in the containers to conditions in the environment. A process for the breeding of open pollinating plants in a greenhouse environment is also provided. A process for breeding plants which comprises identifying trait leads.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for preparing raw pollen which is suitable for being used for the preparation of allergen extracts. The method involves instantaneously freezing the pollen immediately after harvesting, optionally followed by drying the frozen pollen by sublimation.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method for airfield management comprising the use of fine fescue grasses at airfield installations that results in environmental benefits to airports, including protection of human life and wildlife; reduced gas emissions from decreased mowing, decreased storm water runoff due to deeper and larger root systems of vegetative cover, increased soil stabilization, moderation of airport temperatures and heat effects to the atmosphere, and tremendous financial savings to the aviation industry and consequently to the public.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for optimal CO2 enrichment for plant production by suspending CO2 tubing in a secured position between both the plant canopy and lighting system within an indoor garden. The method provides for CO2 tubing to be secured to the lighting system of an indoor garden, thus allowing for the CO2 to be evenly dispersed directly over the optimal upper third portion of the plant canopy. By securing the CO2 tubing in the optimal distribution point, the invention also provides a method for users of the CO2 tank “timed release” system of CO2 enrichment to maximize the amount of CO2 over the upper third portion of the plant canopy during the limited time it is released in the indoor garden during the “lights on” portion of the grow cycle. The invention also provides an apparatus for carrying out the method.

Abstract: A method for cultivating one or more plants in an apparatus which has at least one first chamber and at least one second chamber separated from one another by a first partition wall, wherein the first partition wall has one or more communication openings which connect the inner space of the first chamber to the inner space of the second chamber, wherein the plant and/or the first partition wall are displaced so that an area of the plant which was initially located in the second chamber is located in the first chamber after the displacement of the plant and/or of the first partition wall. The plant may be offset relative to the apparatus such that a region of the plant which was originally not located in the second chamber is located in the second chamber after displacement of the plant relative to the apparatus.

Abstract: A process for breeding plants which comprises growing plants of a species in an array of containers charged with growing medium of uniform characteristics in an environment of controlled climatic conditions with controlled supply of nutrients and feed water and changing the positions of the containers within the environment as required to ensure at least substantially uniform exposure of all plants in the containers to conditions in the environment. A process for the breeding of open pollinating plants in a greenhouse environment is also provided. A process for breeding plants which comprises identifying trait leads.

Abstract: A method for producing a plant with increased yield as compared to a corresponding wild type plant whereby the method comprises at least the following step: increasing or generating in a plant or a part thereof one or more activities of a polypeptide selected from the group consisting of 26S proteasome-subunit, 50S ribosomal protein L36, Autophagy-related protein, B0050-protein, Branched-chain amino acid permease, Calmodulin, carbon storage regulator, FK506-binding protein, gamma-glutamyl-gamma-aminobutyrate hydrolase, GM02LC38418-protein, Heat stress transcription factor, Mannan polymerase II complex subunit, mitochondrial precursor of Lon protease homolog, MutS protein homolog, phosphate transporter subunit, Protein EFR3, pyruvate kinase, tellurite resistance protein, Xanthine permease, and YAR047C-protein.

Abstract: The invention is generally related to Sugarcane mini-chromosomes and recombinant chromosomes containing Sugarcane centromere sequences. In addition, the invention provides for methods of generating Sugarcane plants transformed with these Sugarcane mini-chromosomes. Sugarcane mini-chromosomes with novel compositions and structures are used to transform Sugarcane cells which are in turn used to generate Sugarcane plants. Methods for generating Sugarcane plants include methods for delivering the Sugarcane mini-chromosomes into Sugarcane cell to transform the cell, methods for selecting the transformed cell, and methods for isolating Sugarcane plants transformed with the Sugarcane mini-chromosome or recombinant chromosome.

Abstract: The present invention provides transgenic cover crop plants which after harvest degrade the hemicellulose and cellulose therein to fermentable sugars which can further be fermented to ethanol or other products. In particular, the transgenic plants comprise cellulase, hemicellulase and optionally ligninase genes from microbes operably linked to a DNA encoding a signal peptide which targets the fusion polypeptide produced therefrom to an organelle of the plant, in particular, the chloroplasts. When the transgenic plants are harvested, the plants are ground to release the hemicellulase and cellulase which then degrade the hemicellulose and cellulose of the transgenic plants to produce the fermentable sugars.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of evaluating multiple plant individuals or plant lines for deep rooting property under the same culture medium moisture conditions. A method of the present invention is a method of evaluating multiple plant individuals for deep rooting property under the same culture medium moisture conditions, by planting multiple plant individuals together in a sufficiently deep culture vessel and lowering the culture medium moisture content gradually. The present invention also provides a method for evaluating plants for deep rooting property, wherein a culture vessel is installed in a water tank so that the culture medium moisture content can be readily adjusted, and thus management of cultivation conditions is facile and efficient. It is possible to select a plant which can grow in dry and low-groundwater level environment efficiently, by using the method of the present invention.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes methods and compositions for reducing turf thatch and/or preventing turf thatch buildup.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of tandem cropping for increased production of up to 40% in wheat and mustard crops using varieties with phenological plasticity and temperature tolerance traits. The cereal bread wheat and oil seed mustard are traditional winter season (Rabi) crops in north India/Indo-Gangetic plains. This area experiences receding levels of warm weather and long days in September, October and November, progressive increase and then decrease of cold conditions and short days between November and March and onset of warm weather turning into summer and relatively longer days in March and April. Conventionally a seasonal crop of wheat or mustard or wheat followed by mustard or vice versa could be taken in the winter Rabi season of Indo-Gangetic plains to increase the production of these commodities.

Abstract: A mechanical device including two concentric space frame structures is used to enhance plant growth. Essentially identical in shape but with the inner space frame smaller than the outer by a 4:5 relationship the space frame structures independently rotate about a common axes line. Each space frame consists of a right square pyramid of rods with its apex pointing upward and a second similar pyramid directly below it by a distance approximately two and one half times the length of each rod comprising the pyramid. The second, lower pyramid however has its apex pointing downward and is turned 45-degrees about a line connecting the two apex points. Eight additional rods complete each space frame. They each, respectively connect a corner of the upper pyramid base to a corner of the lower pyramid base in a manner that is symmetric.

Abstract: An improvement in a method of propagating, and an article useful in association with, or produced by, the method of propagating. Plants are produced in mats by steps including: providing a bottom net made of a material that is pervious to moisture, positioning a sheet of a fabric, depositing a layer of planting medium on said fabric, spreading viable wildflower seed over said medium, moistening said medium and said seeds, germinating seeds in the medium, such that roots of seedlings from said seeds intermesh with the fabric forming a sod mat; wherein the bottom net is sufficiently pervious to permit essentially unimpeded root contact with earth below the bottom net.

Abstract: Methods for predicting unobserved phenotypes are provided. In some embodiments, the methods include (a) determining marker effects for a plurality of markers in a genotyped and phenotyped reference population with respect to a phenotype, wherein the reference population includes an F2 generation, an F3 generation, or a subsequent generation; (b) genotyping one or more plants of a predicted population with respect to the plurality of markers, wherein each of the one or more plants of the predicted population is a descendant of two parents and each parent has at least 80% genetic identity to at least one of the two parental plants employed to generate the reference population; (c) summing the marker effects determined in step (a) for each of the one or more plants of the predicted population based on the genotyping of step (b); and (d) predicting a phenotype of the one or more plants of the predicted population based on the sum of the marker effects from step (c).