The present invention provides a newly isolated bacterial strain of Paenibacillus, designated Paenibacillus alvei strain TS-15 for use as a biocontrol agent in the inhibition and/or elimination of a human foodborne pathogen, e.g., Salmonella, on a plant or plant organ, e.g., a tomato or tomato plant. Strain TS-15 or mutants thereof may also be used in the control of plant pathogens.

The present invention provides a newly isolated bacterial strain of Paenibacillus, designated Paenibacillus alvei strain TS-15 for use as a biocontrol agent in the inhibition and/or elimination of a human foodborne pathogen, e.g., Salmonella, on a plant or plant organ, e.g., a tomato or tomato plant. Strain TS-15 or mutants thereof may also be used in the control of plant pathogens.

Provided is an expandable, modular tower planter having an internal vertical composting capability, and a method of assembling and using the same. Provided in various example embodiments is a modular composting garden container system comprising a base and a plurality of stackable rings forming a tower upon the base, including an optional base ring specially sized, shaped, and positioned to connect the tower to the base. A plurality of perforated, stackable tube sections are provided that are removably assembled into a compost tube assembly of selectable height and mounted within the interior of the tower and above the base. A plurality of holding struts are sized, shaped, and positioned to removably connect the compost tube assembly with the tower and to securely locate the compost tube assembly relative to the tower. Means are provided for recovering nutrient-rich drainage and selective recovery of compost material for reintroduction into the system.

Provided is an expandable, modular tower planter having an internal vertical composting capability, and a method of assembling and using the same. Provided in various example embodiments is a modular composting garden container system comprising a base and a plurality of stackable rings forming a tower upon the base, including an optional base ring specially sized, shaped, and positioned to connect the tower to the base. A plurality of perforated, stackable tube sections are provided that are removably assembled into a compost tube assembly of selectable height and mounted within the interior of the tower and above the base. A plurality of holding struts are sized, shaped, and positioned to removably connect the compost tube assembly with the tower and to securely locate the compost tube assembly relative to the tower. Means are provided for recovering nutrient-rich drainage and selective recovery of compost material for reintroduction into the system.

In some embodiments, methods and systems of pollinating crops include one or more unmanned vehicles including a pollen applicator configured to collect pollen from a flower of a first crop and to apply the pollen collected from the flower of the first crop onto a flower of a second crop and a sensor configured to detect presence of the pollen applied to the flower of the second crop by the pollen applicator to verify that the pollen collected from the flower of the first crop by the pollen applicator was successfully applied by the pollen applicator onto the flower of the second crop.

In an embodiment, a method comprises: receiving pre-planting data representing a lower bound date value and an upper bound date value of dates for a pre-planting application of fertilizer to an agricultural field; side-dressing data representing a lower bound date value and an upper bound date value of dates for a side-dressing application; fertilizer cost data representing a cost of a fertilizer application; labor cost data representing a cost of applying fertilizer to the field; and expected profit data. Based on the received data, one or more penalty constraints are determined. Based on the received data, a fertilizing schedule is generated. The schedule comprises the one or more valid calendar dates on which fertilizing the agricultural field is recommended and the one or more valid fertilizer amounts to be applied to the agricultural field on the one or more valid calendar dates to maximize a yield from the agricultural field.

Water-retaining gel compositions, methods of making water-retaining gel compositions, and the uses thereof for enhancing soils, preparing plant growth media and facilitating the growth of plants therein are disclosed.

Water-retaining gel compositions, methods of making water-retaining gel compositions, and the uses thereof for enhancing soils, preparing plant growth media and facilitating the growth of plants therein are disclosed.

A method of irrigating a saline aquaculture system to control pests is described herein. The method includes acquiring a second set of environmental condition data on a computing device using a sensor coupled to a platform, such that the platform is configured to grow a salt-tolerant plant therein; comparing the second set of environmental condition data to a first set of environmental condition data acquired at a previous time point; determining whether freshwater accumulation has increased or will increase at a future time point on a surface of the platform; when it is determined that the freshwater accumulation on the surface of the platform has increased or will increase relative to the previous time point, activating a saltwater distribution device coupled to the platform; and reducing an accumulation of one or more of: insects, caterpillars, fungi, and bacteria on the surface of the platform.

A method of irrigating a saline aquaculture system to control pests is described herein. The method includes acquiring a second set of environmental condition data on a computing device using a sensor coupled to a platform, such that the platform is configured to grow a salt-tolerant plant therein; comparing the second set of environmental condition data to a first set of environmental condition data acquired at a previous time point; determining whether freshwater accumulation has increased or will increase at a future time point on a surface of the platform; when it is determined that the freshwater accumulation on the surface of the platform has increased or will increase relative to the previous time point, activating a saltwater distribution device coupled to the platform; and reducing an accumulation of one or more of: insects, caterpillars, fungi, and bacteria on the surface of the platform.