Described herein is a process for preparation of a superabsorbent polymer with high fluid absorptivity. Also described is a composition including the superabsorbent polymer.

A modular system includes a hub and a set of modules removably coupled to the hub. The modules are physically coupled to the frame relative to each other so that each module can operate with respect to a different row of a field. An individual module includes a sensor for capturing field measurement data of individual plants along a row as the modular system moves through the geographic region. An individual module further includes a treatment mechanism for applying a treatment to the individual plants of the row based on the field measurement data before the modular system passes by the individual plants. An individual module further includes a computing device that determines the treatment based on the field measurement data and communicates data to the hub. The hub is communicatively coupled to the modules, so that it may exchange data between the modules and with a remote computing system.

A method for generating productivity maps is provided. The method includes receiving a user input including boundaries of a geographical area and a date range; selecting, from databases of earth observation providers, based on a first criterion concerning a cloud amount, a first plurality of first images corresponding to the date range and covering at least partially the geographical area; selecting, from the first plurality of first images, based on a second criterion concerning the cloud amount, a second plurality of second images; determining, based on the second plurality of second images and a statistical criterion, a value of a vegetation index for a pixel in the geographical area to generate a plurality of values of the vegetation index; dividing, based on the plurality of values of the vegetation index, the geographical area into a set of clusters; and generating a map featuring the set of clusters.

An apparatus for growing plants comprises two towers located adjacent to each other and forming an outside perimeter surface, a tray located in the bottom of the outside perimeter surface; and a cable system configured to pull a plurality of pods along the outside perimeter, each pod having containers, the cable system configured to bring at least one pod in a contact with a liquid located in the tray. A plant growth monitoring system comprises a plurality of sensors, a plurality of distributors configured to distribute fertilizers in response to received commands, and a controller configured to receive a sensor data from the plurality of sensors, determine commands for a stage of growth of plants based on a sensor data received and transmit the commands to the distributors. A method of initiating a plant in preparation of its introduction into a vertical farm unit is also disclosed.

The present invention concerns a process for preparing a composite of porous material/compound/hybrid organic-inorganic material having a 2:1 lamellar structure, said hybrid material having the following general formula I:
Na.sub.x[(Mg.sub.3)(Al.sub.x(RSi).sub.4−x)O.sub.8+x(OH).sub.2]  (I)
wherein
x is a number such that 0≤x<1.2 and
R represents a C.sub.1-C.sub.30 alkyl group, an aryl group, a (C.sub.1-C.sub.30 alkyl)aryl group or an O—(C.sub.1-C.sub.30 alkyl) group, it being possible for the alkyl group to be substituted with a group chosen from a phenyl, vinyl, aminopropyl or mercaptopropyl group,
and said compound being chosen from the group constituted of at least one active substance and at least one microorganism and mixtures thereof the process comprising:
a) the step of sol-gel synthesis of the hybrid organic-inorganic material having a 2:1 lamellar structure in the presence of the compound and of the porous material saturated with the compound;
b) the recovery of the composite. It also concerns a composite obtainable by means of this process, a composition comprising it and its use in particular for the fertilization of plants.

The present invention concerns a process for preparing a composite of porous material/compound/hybrid organic-inorganic material having a 2:1 lamellar structure, said hybrid material having the following general formula I:
Na.sub.x[(Mg.sub.3)(Al.sub.x(RSi).sub.4−x)O.sub.8+x(OH).sub.2]  (I)
wherein
x is a number such that 0≤x<1.2 and
R represents a C.sub.1-C.sub.30 alkyl group, an aryl group, a (C.sub.1-C.sub.30 alkyl)aryl group or an O—(C.sub.1-C.sub.30 alkyl) group, it being possible for the alkyl group to be substituted with a group chosen from a phenyl, vinyl, aminopropyl or mercaptopropyl group,
and said compound being chosen from the group constituted of at least one active substance and at least one microorganism and mixtures thereof the process comprising:
a) the step of sol-gel synthesis of the hybrid organic-inorganic material having a 2:1 lamellar structure in the presence of the compound and of the porous material saturated with the compound;
b) the recovery of the composite. It also concerns a composite obtainable by means of this process, a composition comprising it and its use in particular for the fertilization of plants.

The present invention comprises an artificial seed device, a drilling process for the artificial seed device and a fabrication method for the artificial seed device.

The present invention comprises an artificial seed device, a drilling process for the artificial seed device and a fabrication method for the artificial seed device.

Vertical farming/gardening systems and methods of using. The systems include a track defining a path in which a change in elevation occurs, buckets pivotally secured to the track to travel along the path, and a moving mechanism for moving the buckets along the path. A first bucket has a cavity containing either a growing medium capable of supporting plants growing within the cavity or a solar collector for dehydrating plants within the cavity. One or more service stations located along the path of the track perform actions on the growing medium or the plants within the cavity of the first bucket as the first bucket travels along the path. One or more sensors analyze the growing medium or plants within the cavity of the first bucket. A master control unit controls the system including travel of the buckets along the path of the track.

A system and method for evaluating soil characteristics. The system and method includes providing one or more soil test kits to a user. The soil tests kits may include ion-exchange resins and may instruct the user to collect a soil sample from his/her growing area, to combine the soil sample with the ion-exchange resins, and to provide the combination to the system for analysis. Other test kits may not include ion-exchange resins and may instruct the user to provide a soil sample from his/her growing area to the system for analysis. The system evaluates the ion-exchange resins and/or the soil samples to identify nutrient levels, pH levels, and other characteristics of the soil. Using the evaluation results, the system provides feedback, recommendations and/or products to the user to improve the soil conditions and to ensure a successful crop, yield, quality, and nutrient density. The system and method also may include providing a second soil test kit to the user at a predetermined time after the first, to evaluate a second soil sample, and to compare the second evaluation results with the first to assess the improvement of the soil conditions.