A method for controlling the planting of olive trees for the continuous mechanical harvesting of the olives using harvesting machines, the method having the following steps: planting parallel rows of olive tree saplings with a spacing between the tree trunks and a spacing between the rows; placing trellising on each row; placing divergent supports for each tree; attaching two divergent branches of each tree, which are arranged in a single vertical plane and in the vertical plane of the row to which said tree belongs, onto a pair of supports; removing other branches of said tree; adapting the shape of the foliage of the trees so as to impart a configuration flattened in alignment with the rows thereto; maintaining said configuration by periodically pruning the trees until the latter reach maturity and bear fruit; and removing the supports and the trellising when the trees are fully grown.

A novel collapsible plant support includes a collapsible coil adapted to rest on a flat surface. In a particular embodiment, the collapsible plant support includes a plurality of vertical support structures coupled to the collapsible coil so as to provide additional support. In another particular embodiment, a collapsible plant support includes plant receptacle receiving element that supports both a collapsible coil and also a plant receptacle. In a more particular embodiment, the plant receptacle receiving element includes fluid ducts for connecting multiple plant receptacle receiving elements into a fluid network. In another embodiment, the coil is disposed within a helical sleeve coupled to a flexible, cylindrical mesh.

The present application relates to an amino acid that accelerates fruit ripening, and provides a use of the amino acid for accelerating fruit ripening. A composition containing the amino acid can achieve an excellent effect of promoting plant growth and/or fruit ripening.

The present invention relates to a method for improving the growth, development and productivity of non-leguminous plants using a composition comprising at least one mycorriza and at least one yeast extract, and optionally a substrate; the present invention also relates to such a composition and, when it comprises a substrate, to the process for the production thereof.

A method and a system for increasing the degree days in the immediate environment of fruit bearing vines for the cultivation of particular fruit bearing vines, such as non-rustic vinifera variety vines, in unfavourable climatic regions where the degree days is insufficient for the full maturity of the fruit, is described. Rows of the vines are protected in removable shelters which have a removable tarp cover disposed over a support frame structure to shield the rows of vines from the harsh, vine damaging, winter month temperatures while keeping the vines in a controlled temperature environment. Heated liquid circulation conduits are supported in the shelters at predetermined locations and provide controlled heat during the winter months to prevent the vines and the cordon bearing spuds of the vines from damaging cold temperatures. In the early spring the roots are activated early and the tarp is removed and a transparent film sheet covering is substituted to admit sunlight to help activate the vine early to gain degree days. The method and system is also applicable to semi-rustic or rustic wine producing grape vines grown in these climatic regions having degree days down to about 1200.

Coloring of fruits is promoted by applying a one or more the amino acids leucine, isoleucine, and/or phenylalanine, in combination with abscisic acid to a fruit plant, such as those of the genus Vitaceae or Rosaceae. The amino acid(s) and abscisic acid may be present in a solution(s) having concentrations of 0.2 mM to 100 mM and 0.1 M to 10 mM, respectively.

A device and method of thinning grape vine shoots comprises a Normalized Differential Vegetative Index (NDVI) sensor. Further, the device comprises a shoot removal whip assembly configured to remove at least one grape vine shoot per stroke. Further, the device comprises a programmable logic controller (PLC) to control the shoot removal whip assembly, the programmable logic controller comprising a memory unit and a processor. Further, the memory unit stores information regarding optimal shoot height and density parameters, and a set of program modules. The processor contained in the PLC takes readings of shoot height and density via the NDVI sensor, and sends an output to a proportional hydraulic valve. The PLC also takes an input from an adjustable gain potentiometer, which allows the user to increase or decrease the acceptable shoot parameters. Via the signal sent to the proportional hydraulic valve, the PLC controls the shoot removal whip assembly, in order to remove a variable number of shoots. This variable shoot removal can be any number from 0 to 25, in any given area along the grape vine. This variable control of the removal whip assembly results in a grape vine that has a balanced number and density of growth shoots.

A method of sowing watermelon seeds includes seeding triploid watermelon seeds and watermelon pollinizer seeds in separate cells within a seedling tray. The triploid watermelon seeds produce seedless watermelons and the pollinizer seeds produce seeded watermelons. The seeded watermelons are not inherently bred to have reduced competition to plants grown from the triploid watermelon seeds.

A modular tree protecting container ensemble consists of eight arcuate and straight connectable modular containers, which when set up and connected to each other around a tree at soil level, provides a protective barrier, forms a water and mulch basin, provides theft-resistance and allows for beautification. The ensemble includes three unique shapes, two of which are corner containers; all three shapes have drainage holes on the container floor, and have identical sidewalls and sidewall connector holes for perfect container-to-container alignment. The tree protecting container ensemble is made up of two corner containers with both arcuate walls, two corner containers with arcuate and right angle-cornered walls, and four straight-sided containers, which are all fastened to each other through their sidewall holes with spacers, rods and rod caps, providing container-to-container connection, ensemble stability and theft-resistance.

A modular tree protecting container ensemble consists of eight arcuate and straight connectable modular containers, which when set up and connected to each other around a tree at soil level, provides a protective barrier, forms a water and mulch basin, provides theft-resistance and allows for beautification. The ensemble includes three unique shapes, two of which are corner containers; all three shapes have drainage holes on the container floor, and have identical sidewalls and sidewall connector holes for perfect container-to-container alignment. The tree protecting container ensemble is made up of two corner containers with both arcuate walls, two corner containers with arcuate and right angle-cornered walls, and four straight-sided containers, which are all fastened to each other through their sidewall holes with spacers, rods and rod caps, providing container-to-container connection, ensemble stability and theft-resistance.