A hybrid grass support structure (100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600, 710) comprising a growth medium layer (102), a stone wool layer (104) positioned below the growth medium layer, and a plurality of synthetic grass fibers (106). The growth medium layer comprises a growth medium. The synthetic grass fibers are incorporated at least into the growth medium layer.

A hybrid grass support structure (100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600, 710) comprising a growth medium layer (102), a stone wool layer (104) positioned below the growth medium layer, and a plurality of synthetic grass fibers (106). The growth medium layer comprises a growth medium. The synthetic grass fibers are incorporated at least into the growth medium layer.

A scalable precision distribution aeroponic system, including a modular frame mount constructed of a lightweight, rigid material, the frame mount including a pair of generally vertically oriented support members and at least one generally horizontally oriented crossmember positioned between the vertically oriented support members, the pair of generally vertically oriented support members operably coupled to the generally horizontally oriented crossmember via couplings, the couplings including a generally horizontally oriented support configured to extend substantially orthogonal to the horizontally oriented crossmember, and an interchangeable growth media operably coupled to the modular frame mount, the interchangeable growth media comprising a nourishment layer and a surface film, the nourishment layer defining one or more channels into which the generally horizontally oriented supports of the couplings are positioned for support of the interchangeable growth media.

A vertical farming system is disclosed herein. The vertical farming system can comprise a frame configured to fit into an enclosed growing environment. The vertical farming system can further comprise a track supported by the frame, where the track is configured to provide side access. The vertical farming system also includes an irrigation conduit coupled to the frame adjacent to the track. The vertical farming system includes a growth media field where the growth media field includes brackets coupled to a top portion of the growth media field. The growth media field can be made of porous material configured to form a root zone environment support and provide fluid distribution to root systems. The brackets can be configured to slidably couple to one or more tracks such that the growth media field is suspended from the one or more tracks.

The multi-layered sand assembly comprising neat sand, super-hydrophilic and super-hydrophobic sands for feasible and sustainable desert agriculture is described. The ingredients such as PAM used in the super-hydrophilic sand layer and the PS-PMMA/DVB polymer for the super-hydrophobic layer are relatively less expensive and thus the overall development of the coated sand is economical and cost effective for the mass production of modified sand layers. The tandem action of high water absorption and retention over time by super-hydrophilic sand layer and high water repulsion to avoid water loss by super-hydrophobic sand of the proposed assembly would make the achievable agriculture in desert lands.

A method and apparatus for cultivating vegetation at an arid location includes rooting immature vegetation in a mat combined with a super absorbent polymer (SAP) and, in embodiments, fertilizer, sand, and/or soil; placing the mat at the arid location; covering the mat with a perforated, transparent or semi-transparent cover; collecting urine in a water purification system; and providing purified water extracted from the urine to the mat. A water barrier can be placed below the mat. The cover can be placed on or suspended above the mat. SAP, seeds, and/or additional water barriers can be placed between mats in a stack. The opacity of the cover can be increased to emulate shade from natural vegetation. A water distribution system can be included for continued support of the vegetation, and can include a water reservoir and/or at least one solar still.

A method and apparatus for cultivating vegetation at an arid location includes rooting immature vegetation in a mat combined with a super absorbent polymer (SAP) and, in embodiments, fertilizer, sand, and/or soil; placing the mat at the arid location; covering the mat with a perforated, transparent or semi-transparent cover; collecting urine in a water purification system; and providing purified water extracted from the urine to the mat. A water barrier can be placed below the mat. The cover can be placed on or suspended above the mat. SAP, seeds, and/or additional water barriers can be placed between mats in a stack. The opacity of the cover can be increased to emulate shade from natural vegetation. A water distribution system can be included for continued support of the vegetation, and can include a water reservoir and/or at least one solar still.

There is provided a solid shape information generation system to form a solid shape object suitable to cultivate a plant. The solid shape information generation system includes a forming information generator that generates forming information to form a solid shape object used to cultivate a plant using a first material and a second material based on information representing the solid shape object and form an area where at least the plant is sown using the first material whose tensile strength is lower than that of the second material; and an output unit that outputs the forming information for a solid shape forming unit to form the solid shape object.

A fixed irrigation landscape growing system comprises: a supporting substrate; a water absorbent blanket arranged above the substrate; and a growing medium, notably a soil layer, arranged above the water absorbent blanket. Irrigation is provided by irrigation pipes or by sprinklers.

The invention provides a process for the preparation of a seed support that comprises a biodegradable polymer film having a plurality of seeds at least partially embedded therein, the process comprising the steps of (a) providing a hydrophobic release liner (18); (b) applying a coating of an aqueous dispersion or solution comprising a biodegradable polymer on the hydrophobic release liner (18), wherein the dispersion or solution has a viscosity of from 2000 to 16000 mPa.Math.s and a water content of from 58% to 90% by weight of the coating; (c) depositing a plurality of seeds onto the coating so that the seeds become at least partially embedded in the coating; (d) drying the coating to give a final water content of 1.5% to 15% by weight and thereby form the biodegradable polymer film; and (e) detaching the hydrophobic release liner from the biodegradable polymer film to give the seed support.