Processes capable of producing bulk materials suitable for use by the horticulture industry, resulting bulk materials produced thereby, and applications for these processes and materials. Preferred bulk materials have physical properties similar to peat moss and comprise individual materials, each at least partially having a twisted, curled, clumped and rolled structure. The individual materials may further comprise small granular particles dispersed throughout the twisted, curled, clumped and rolled structure. The individual materials may be rolled fibers such that the bulk material has physical properties similar to sphagnum peat moss so as to be particularly suitable as, for example, a soil conditioner, an absorbent material, a chemical carrier, or a filtering material. Alternatively, the individual materials may be rolled particles such that the bulk material has physical properties similar to milled peat moss so as to be particularly suitable as propagation media.

A method of delivering at least one nucleic acid to a plant, comprising: applying a light energy to a surface of the plant to create a pore; and applying at least one nucleic acid to the pore, wherein the at least one nucleic acid comprises RNA, wherein the at least one nucleic acid comprises at least one of a RNA interference (RNAi), an antisense RNA (asRNA), a micro RNA (miRNA), a small interfering RNA (siRNA), a double-stranded RNA (dsRNA), a non-coding RNA (ncRNA), mitochondrial RNA (mtDNA), and combinations thereof.

A method of delivering at least one nucleic acid to a plant, comprising: applying a light energy to a surface of the plant to create a pore; and applying at least one nucleic acid to the pore, wherein the at least one nucleic acid comprises RNA, wherein the at least one nucleic acid comprises at least one of a RNA interference (RNAi), an antisense RNA (asRNA), a micro RNA (miRNA), a small interfering RNA (siRNA), a double-stranded RNA (dsRNA), a non-coding RNA (ncRNA), mitochondrial RNA (mtDNA), and combinations thereof.

A living hydrated mycelium composite containing at least one of a combination of mycelium and fibers, mycelium and particles, and mycelium, particles and fibers is processed with a nutrient material to promote mycelia tissue growth; thereafter dehydrated to a moisture content of less than 50% by weight to deactivate the further growth of mycelia tissue; and then stored. The stored dehydrated mycelium composite is further processed by rehydrating to reactivate the mycelium and to initiate growth of at least one fruiting body.

A living hydrated mycelium composite containing at least one of a combination of mycelium and fibers, mycelium and particles, and mycelium, particles and fibers is processed with a nutrient material to promote mycelia tissue growth; thereafter dehydrated to a moisture content of less than 50% by weight to deactivate the further growth of mycelia tissue; and then stored. The stored dehydrated mycelium composite is further processed by rehydrating to reactivate the mycelium and to initiate growth of at least one fruiting body.

A bark-based composition having at least 70% by volume of bark is defibrated in order to make cultivation media having water availability that is greater than or equal to 250 mL/L.

A bark-based composition having at least 70% by volume of bark is defibrated in order to make cultivation media having water availability that is greater than or equal to 250 mL/L.

A method for manufacturing a pelletised mineral product, the method comprising: in a first mixing step, forming a first mixture by mixing the evaporite mineral with non- gelatinised starch under conditions that are insufficient to substantially gelatinise the starch; in a second mixing step, forming a second mixture by mixing the first mixture under conditions that are sufficient to substantially gelatinise the starch comprised within the first mixture; and forming the second mixture into pellets.

A method for manufacturing a pelletised mineral product, the method comprising: in a first mixing step, forming a first mixture by mixing the evaporite mineral with non- gelatinised starch under conditions that are insufficient to substantially gelatinise the starch; in a second mixing step, forming a second mixture by mixing the first mixture under conditions that are sufficient to substantially gelatinise the starch comprised within the first mixture; and forming the second mixture into pellets.

A method for capturing material extracted from biochar, the method comprising the steps of: (i) providing a biochar; (ii) contacting the biochar with a treating liquid, where the treating liquid causes the removal of solids from the pores and surface of the biochar, thereby creating a resulting solution comprised of the treating liquid and removed solids; and (iii) collecting the resulting solution.