An electrochemical cell has an active alloy anode including an active alloy and a passive alloy cathode including a passive alloy with the active alloy having a higher reduction potential than the passive alloy within growth media. The active alloy anode and the passive alloy cathode are positioned to drive a plurality of transport ions into a plant in some embodiments to enhance plant growth and to kill weeds in other embodiments.

A trellis and DOV grape growing system utilized for grape vines, featuring an overhead training wire system that allows for the positioning of canes in a multi-quadrant arrangement. The canes are supported by posts positioned along adjacent rows of vines. The system includes a network of training wires which allow the canes to be directed in multi-axial directions from each vine. The trellis system allows the grapes to desiccate under solar warmth while on the vine, thus forming raisins. The DOV grapes may then be efficiently harvested by a vehicle having a canopy-shaking apparatus passing under the trellis canopy.

A method and system for managing bearing plants so that their in-ground portions (e.g., root-zones) are clustered together to improve water-use effectiveness; and training their above-ground structures such that their above-ground structures have the wider spacing they require. It is applicable to plants (e.g., vine-like plants including wine grapes) whose trunks can be oriented at an angle other than vertical or which can be otherwise shaped so that their distal ends are not centered above their in-ground portions but rather are horizontally offset from the in-ground portions.

The present invention relates to the promotion of the growth of at least one plant by providing a fertilizer composition-comprising at least one zeolite, into the pores of which at least one basic L-amino acid has been adsorbed; adding the fertilizer composition to a medium for plant growth; and culturing a plant therein. The invention will provide the release of nitrogen from the fertilizer composition during culture of the plant at a rate which is advantageously used by the plant. The invention also relates to a fertilizer composition as such, optionally combined with a medium for plant growth to make up a growth-promoting material. The invention is advantageously used to reduce the resources required in the fertilization of slowly growing plants, where repeated supply of nutrients as well as leakage of nitrogen amounts to large costs to society.

The present invention relates to the promotion of the growth of at least one plant by providing a fertilizer composition-comprising at least one zeolite, into the pores of which at least one basic L-amino acid has been adsorbed; adding the fertilizer composition to a medium for plant growth; and culturing a plant therein. The invention will provide the release of nitrogen from the fertilizer composition during culture of the plant at a rate which is advantageously used by the plant. The invention also relates to a fertilizer composition as such, optionally combined with a medium for plant growth to make up a growth-promoting material. The invention is advantageously used to reduce the resources required in the fertilization of slowly growing plants, where repeated supply of nutrients as well as leakage of nitrogen amounts to large costs to society.

A device and method for introducing new vegetation into a forest floor includes seeds, seedlings, and/or saplings carried within a plurality of tapered shells having polygonal cross sections, possibly mixed with soil, sand, gravel, fertilizer, SAP granules, and/or water. The tapered shells are inserted into the ground through the hydrophobic layer by dropping or propelling them from an aircraft, or manually pressing on them. One or more holes proximate the bottoms of the tapered shells enable rain water and germinating roots to penetrate into soil beneath the hydrophobic layer. A perforated lid can prevent the seeds or seedlings from being ejected upon impact with the forest floor. A weighted tip can improve penetration of the tapered shells into the forest floor. A plurality of tapered shells can extend downward from a tray or frame. The tapered shell and/or perforated lid can be made from biodegradable materials.

A device and method for introducing new vegetation into a forest floor includes seeds, seedlings, and/or saplings carried within a plurality of tapered shells having polygonal cross sections, possibly mixed with soil, sand, gravel, fertilizer, SAP granules, and/or water. The tapered shells are inserted into the ground through the hydrophobic layer by dropping or propelling them from an aircraft, or manually pressing on them. One or more holes proximate the bottoms of the tapered shells enable rain water and germinating roots to penetrate into soil beneath the hydrophobic layer. A perforated lid can prevent the seeds or seedlings from being ejected upon impact with the forest floor. A weighted tip can improve penetration of the tapered shells into the forest floor. A plurality of tapered shells can extend downward from a tray or frame. The tapered shell and/or perforated lid can be made from biodegradable materials.

A free-space optical communication apparatus control apparatus includes: a detecting section for detecting an impediment to laser communication of a free-space optical communication apparatus; and a judging section for judging, in accordance with the state of the impediment to the laser communication, whether pruning of a tree is necessary.

The density of coconut palms in a grove, and the resulting coconut yield per acre, is increased up to a factor of four by varying the heights of the leaf balls of the palms, and arranging the palms close together so that the leaf balls overlap without mutual interference. Adjacent palms can be of different varieties having differing heights, for example by combining tall, dwarf, and hybrid palms, and/or the grades at which adjacent palms are planted can be excavated and/or built up. The palms can be configured in a checkerboard arrangement where leaf ball heights alternate in aligned rows and columns, or in a hexagonal arrangement where rows of palms of alternating leaf ball height are staggered. Palm rows of uniform or staggered height can be planted on north-south terraces at successively higher grade up to an apex terrace, from which the terraces descend again in grade height.

Movable apparatus (5) with automatic autonomous operation (AGV) slidable along pre-established paths (9) among rows of vineyard (10, 11), for the anti-bacterial, fungicide and anti-parasitic treatment in general of the same vineyards, and in particular of the leaves, the trees and the bunches of grapes, comprising a base structure (12) supported on to the ground by sliding by means of wheels (6) or tracks (7), comprising a plurality of ultraviolet lamps (53) with germicide function, which are supported by panels overlapped to each other (42-45), in a manner to direct the ultraviolet radiation against the component parts of the vineyards. There are described accurately all the component parts of the apparatus and the displacements of the apparatus and the different operative steps thereof, for performing the required anti-parasitic treatment in to all the vineyards, also in those in which the advancement paths of the apparatus are displaced and not communicating with other advancement paths for the same apparatus.