A method and apparatus for cultivating vegetation at an arid location includes rooting immature vegetation in a mat combined with a super absorbent polymer (SAP) and, in embodiments, fertilizer, sand, and/or soil; placing the mat at the arid location; covering the mat with a perforated, transparent or semi-transparent cover; collecting urine in a water purification system; and providing purified water extracted from the urine to the mat. A water barrier can be placed below the mat. The cover can be placed on or suspended above the mat. SAP, seeds, and/or additional water barriers can be placed between mats in a stack. The opacity of the cover can be increased to emulate shade from natural vegetation. A water distribution system can be included for continued support of the vegetation, and can include a water reservoir and/or at least one solar still.

A method and apparatus for cultivating vegetation at an arid location includes rooting immature vegetation in a mat combined with a super absorbent polymer (SAP) and, in embodiments, fertilizer, sand, and/or soil; placing the mat at the arid location; covering the mat with a perforated, transparent or semi-transparent cover; collecting urine in a water purification system; and providing purified water extracted from the urine to the mat. A water barrier can be placed below the mat. The cover can be placed on or suspended above the mat. SAP, seeds, and/or additional water barriers can be placed between mats in a stack. The opacity of the cover can be increased to emulate shade from natural vegetation. A water distribution system can be included for continued support of the vegetation, and can include a water reservoir and/or at least one solar still.

A soil moisture sensor and a soil moisture sensing system are provided. The soil moisture sensor includes a double groove helical structure having grooves and formed from an insulator. The soil moisture sensor further includes at least a first electrode and a second electrode formed from one or more metals deposited at at least two different locations on the grooves. The soil moisture sensor also includes a processor for processing a soil moisture measurement signal based on a conductivity between the electrodes. The soil moisture sensor additionally includes a wireless transmitter for transmitting the soil moisture measurement signal to a remote location.

A coastal severe saline-alkali soil improvement and vegetation construction system consists of four parts of content, respectively a soil improvement part, a saline-alkaline tolerant plant resource utilization and planting technology part, an irrigation and drainage mating system part, and a part for managing saline-alkaline soil improvement and operation by adopting an automated information technology. A whole set of complete operation system is formed for performing improvement and vegetation construction on saline-alkaline soil from the four parts, thereby providing a feasible high-efficiency method for saline-alkaline soil improvement of a coastal region.

A soil testing device includes a housing and at least one sensor assembly rotatably connected to the housing. The the at least one sensor assembly is configured to insert into soil and to output an electrical signal corresponding to a soil parameter to be displayed on a display unit. The at least one sensor assembly includes a rotating portion and a detecting rod, the rotating portion is connected with the detecting rod, and the rotating portion is disposed in the housing, the detecting rod extends out of the housing from an interior of the housing.

A system for stabilization of a shoreline comprising a sheet having an unfolded state and a folded state, the sheet comprising a first edge and a second opposing edge connected by a first end and a second end, the sheet comprising a first layer formed from a first degradable fabric and a second layer formed from a second degradable fabric, the sheet further comprising channels formed at each of the first edge and the second edge, the channels formed from one or more of the first and the second fabrics, each of the channels comprising an anchor rope threaded therethrough, and each of the channels comprising a plurality of openings, wherein the anchor rope extends through the plurality of openings for securement to a shoreline surface by the anchor rope, and methods of using the same.

The present invention includes a landscaping apparatus for inhibiting plant growth on the ground, the apparatus containing a member including an elongated strip having a longitudinal axis and sides spaced apart from the longitudinal axis, wherein the longitudinal axis and the sides are substantially within a plane containing the member when the member is substantially flat. One or more projections extend from the member and are used to fix the member to the ground by inserting the projections into the ground. In one embodiment, the projections are integrally formed with the member and the member is made from a substantially flexible material.

The present invention includes a landscaping apparatus for inhibiting plant growth on the ground, the apparatus containing a member including an elongated strip having a longitudinal axis and sides spaced apart from the longitudinal axis, wherein the longitudinal axis and the sides are substantially within a plane containing the member when the member is substantially flat. One or more projections extend from the member and are used to fix the member to the ground by inserting the projections into the ground. In one embodiment, the projections are integrally formed with the member and the member is made from a substantially flexible material.

The present invention discloses a cultivation method for the rapid propagation of Davidia involucrata winter buds. The method includes the following steps: (1) collecting winter buds of Davidia involucrata as explants; (2) disinfecting and sterilizing; (3) primary culture of the winter buds; (4) propagation cultivating; (5) cultivating of the strong seedlings; (6) cultivating roots; (7) acclimatization and transplanting; (8) water and fertilizer management. The method of the present invention can effectively promote the artificial propagation of Davidia involucrata and improve the survival rate thereof.

The present invention discloses a cultivation method for the rapid propagation of Davidia involucrata winter buds. The method includes the following steps: (1) collecting winter buds of Davidia involucrata as explants; (2) disinfecting and sterilizing; (3) primary culture of the winter buds; (4) propagation cultivating; (5) cultivating of the strong seedlings; (6) cultivating roots; (7) acclimatization and transplanting; (8) water and fertilizer management. The method of the present invention can effectively promote the artificial propagation of Davidia involucrata and improve the survival rate thereof.