Infrastructure and methods to implement a platform for a horticultural operation are disclosed. Sensor data is received from one or more sensors configured to capture data for plants within a plant growth operation. Accumulated data associated with other plants in other plant growth operations is access. The data is analyzed to determine conditions of the plants within the plant growth operation. Plant grower actions to improve plant growth are determined. Instructions are transmitted to a controller device associated with the plant growth operation. Agricultural products or services associated with the plant grower actions are determined. An agricultural exchange service processes electronic commerce information from servicers of the products or services. Bids from the servicers are received, and selection and fulfillment of the bids are facilitated.

Infrastructure and methods to implement a platform for a horticultural operation are disclosed. Sensor data is received from one or more sensors configured to capture data for plants within a plant growth operation. Accumulated data associated with other plants in other plant growth operations is access. The data is analyzed to determine conditions of the plants within the plant growth operation. Plant grower actions to improve plant growth are determined. Instructions are transmitted to a controller device associated with the plant growth operation. Agricultural products or services associated with the plant grower actions are determined. An agricultural exchange service processes electronic commerce information from servicers of the products or services. Bids from the servicers are received, and selection and fulfillment of the bids are facilitated.

A hydroponic plant production apparatus comprising: a hollow grow tube with a slot formed in the front face of the grow tube, and a matrix media insert composed of two halves, where the media is insertable into the grow tube, allowing plants to be inserted and grown between the two halves of the matrix media insert in the grow tube is provided. Methods for use of a hollow grow tube with a slot formed in the front face of the grow tube, and a matrix media insert composed of two halves, where the media is insertable into the grow tube, allowing plants to be inserted and grown between the two halves of the matrix media insert in the grow tube are also provided.

One embodiment provides a modular green roof tray, house plant growth media and horticulture growth media, and a tree protection mat for weed and moisture control made from recycled disposable diapers. The growth medium and tree protection mat contain superabsorbent materials from diaper that can absorb waters and greatly reduce irrigation so to provide a drought resistant feature. One embodiment also provides a manufacturing process to perform 100% recycling of disposed diapers.

A modular hydroponic tower array fixture system for the growth of organisms such as plants and fungi on arrays of hydroponic towers, allowing for the insertion and removal of individual towers from the array, is provided. Methods for the production of organisms such as plants and fungi using a modular hydroponic tower array fixture system are also provided herein.

In a method of coating a particulate material, a particulate material is fed into a mixing chamber. The particulate material is agitated within the mixing chamber and conveyed to a mixing chamber outlet. A coating is directed into the mixing chamber and the flow of the coating is controlled based on the volumetric flow rate of the particulate material into the mixing chamber. The coating includes at least one compound selected from herbicides, insecticides, nutrients, wetting agents, surfactants, fungicides, biologicals, inoculants, and mixtures thereof.

This invention is related to a new substrate (6) for soilless cultivation consisting of a three-dimensional reticular structure which is elastically compressible, with empty cells bounded by threads made of polymer or any other material which are chemically inert, hydro-phobic or weakly hydrophilic. For example, the substrate which consists of a lattice made of threads in polyethylene (6) compressed into a container (4) equipped with an irrigation system (3) and with a support (2) where the plants have been inserted (5). The system is a closed cycle wherein the stored solution (1) is recirculated.

A plant-soil battery includes a plant body, a soil layer in which the plant body is planted, an anode electrode disposed in the soil layer and including microorganisms that degrade glucose discharged from the plant body to generate electrons, and a cathode electrode disposed in the soil layer to receive the electrons. The plant-soil battery is capable of supplying energy for 24 hours a day, is harmless to the environment, can be easily moved and installed, and has an adjustable generating capacity.

A plant-soil battery includes a plant body, a soil layer in which the plant body is planted, an anode electrode disposed in the soil layer and including microorganisms that degrade glucose discharged from the plant body to generate electrons, and a cathode electrode disposed in the soil layer to receive the electrons. The plant-soil battery is capable of supplying energy for 24 hours a day, is harmless to the environment, can be easily moved and installed, and has an adjustable generating capacity.

Certain exemplary embodiments can provide a system comprising a plurality of trays, at least one retention layer configured to absorb at least a portion of water that falls upon the plurality of trays, and/or a drainage layer configured to allow the water to drain out of the at least one retention layer.