An apparatus for cultivating plants may include a cabinet forming a space in which plants are cultivated; a door connected to the cabinet to open and close the space; at least one bed disposed in the space and configured to support at least one seed package accommodating a medium including seeds; and at least one light assembly that radiates light to the at least one seed package on the at least one bed. The light assembly may include at least one LED module including a plurality of LED groups; a light case that covers an upper portion of the at least one LED module; and a light cover coupled to the light cover and supporting a lower portion of the at least one LED module.

A method of increasing interspace among plant containers. The method comprises: providing a set of plant containers, the set comprising first and second plant containers; arranging the first plant containers in a first structured grid formation along a horizontal plane; and arranging the second plant containers in a second structured grid formation along said horizontal plane, whereby when viewed from above the first and second plant containers are alternatingly arranged in a joint structured grid formation in a first area. The method comprises, for increasing the interspace among the plant containers, mutually simultaneously moving the second plant containers in their second grid formation away from the first plant containers in a vertical direction and subsequently placing the second plant containers in a second area.

A photobioreactor apparatus is described. The photobioreactor provides a system for growth of biological organisms such as algae. The photobioreactor system includes a plurality of transparent conduits coupled between two manifolds. Fluid and feedstock are flowed through the conduits and light is provided at a growth wavelength for growth of biological organisms in the conduits. The manifolds may include passages that allow the fluid and feedstock to flow linearly through the conduits (e.g., from one conduit to the next). The linear or series flow of the fluid and feedstock through the plurality of conduits provides an efficient and cost-effective approach for growth of biological organisms.

A photobioreactor apparatus is described. The photobioreactor provides a system for growth of biological organisms such as algae. The photobioreactor system includes a plurality of transparent conduits coupled between two manifolds. Fluid and feedstock are flowed through the conduits and light is provided at a growth wavelength for growth of biological organisms in the conduits. The manifolds may include passages that allow the fluid and feedstock to flow linearly through the conduits (e.g., from one conduit to the next). The linear or series flow of the fluid and feedstock through the plurality of conduits provides an efficient and cost-effective approach for growth of biological organisms.

Systems and methods of use of chlorine dioxide in controlled environmental agriculture settings and postharvest applications are provided. A method can comprise application of gaseous chlorine dioxide at a level effective to prevent microbial proliferation in a setting containing growing plants. A system can comprise a chemical microorganism control agent dispersal system, an airborne microorganism detection system, and a cultivation environment monitor system.

Systems and methods of use of chlorine dioxide in controlled environmental agriculture settings and postharvest applications are provided. A method can comprise application of gaseous chlorine dioxide at a level effective to prevent microbial proliferation in a setting containing growing plants. A system can comprise a chemical microorganism control agent dispersal system, an airborne microorganism detection system, and a cultivation environment monitor system.

A system for growing a plant (1) in an at least partly conditioned environment includes a cultivation base (11) for receiving a culture substrate (3) with a root system (4) of the plant therein. Root temperature control elements (12) are provided which are able and adapted to impose a predetermined root temperature on the root system, and lighting elements (20,21,22) which are able and adapted to expose leaves of the plant to actinic artificial light. Leaf heating elements are also provided, which are able and adapted to impose on the leaf of the plant a leaf temperature varying from an ambient temperature. In a method for growing the plant a carbon dioxide assimilation management of a leaf system of the plant is thus influenced, and a supply of actinic light, the root temperature and the carbon dioxide assimilation management are adapted to each other.

A system for growing a plant (1) in an at least partly conditioned environment includes a cultivation base (11) for receiving a culture substrate (3) with a root system (4) of the plant therein. Root temperature control elements (12) are provided which are able and adapted to impose a predetermined root temperature on the root system, and lighting elements (20,21,22) which are able and adapted to expose leaves of the plant to actinic artificial light. Leaf heating elements are also provided, which are able and adapted to impose on the leaf of the plant a leaf temperature varying from an ambient temperature. In a method for growing the plant a carbon dioxide assimilation management of a leaf system of the plant is thus influenced, and a supply of actinic light, the root temperature and the carbon dioxide assimilation management are adapted to each other.

Methods and systems for capture of CO.sub.2 from a hydrated gaseous stream are described. Systems can be utilized for direct air capture of CO.sub.2 and incorporate a low energy temperature-vacuum swing adsorption (TVSA) process. A TVSA process can include a multi-step CO.sub.2 capture bed regeneration process that includes depressurization of the bed, heating of the bed, venting and purging of the bed, and cooling of the bed. Multiple beds can be cycled between CO.sub.2 capture and regeneration, during which captured CO.sub.2 is recovered. Off-gas from a CO.sub.2 capture bed can be used in regenerating a parallel bed for increased efficiency.

Methods and systems for capture of CO.sub.2 from a hydrated gaseous stream are described. Systems can be utilized for direct air capture of CO.sub.2 and incorporate a low energy temperature-vacuum swing adsorption (TVSA) process. A TVSA process can include a multi-step CO.sub.2 capture bed regeneration process that includes depressurization of the bed, heating of the bed, venting and purging of the bed, and cooling of the bed. Multiple beds can be cycled between CO.sub.2 capture and regeneration, during which captured CO.sub.2 is recovered. Off-gas from a CO.sub.2 capture bed can be used in regenerating a parallel bed for increased efficiency.