The present invention concerns an elongated sheet (1) for covering agricultural cultivated plants (2), with a basic film (3) of plastic, wherein a ventilation area (5) extending in the longitudinal sheet direction (L) and having a plurality of ventilation openings (6) is provided in the central area (4) of the basic film (3), wherein a cover film (9) of plastic extending in the longitudinal sheet direction (L) of the basic film (3) is applied to the ventilation area (5), forming free spaces (11) for air exchange, and is firmly welded to the basic film (3) over a plurality of connection areas (10) following one another in the longitudinal sheet direction (L), and wherein the connection area (10) is designed to be inclined, at least in some areas, with respect to a weld start point (12) and a weld end point (13) with respect to the cross direction (Q) extending orthogonally to the longitudinal sheet direction (L).

The present invention concerns an elongated sheet (1) for covering cultivated plants (2), with a basic film (3) of plastic,

wherein a ventilation area (5) extending in the longitudinal sheet direction (L) and having a plurality of ventilation openings (6) is provided in the central area (4) of the basic film (3),
wherein at least one ventilation opening (6) comprises two opposite corners (29, 20) of the ventilation opening (6) in a cross direction (Q) of the sheet (1) extending at least substantially orthogonally to the longitudinal sheet direction (L).

A method and apparatus for cultivating vegetation at an inhospitable location includes rooting immature vegetation in a mat combined with a super absorbent polymer (“SAP”) and, in embodiments, fertilizer, sand, and/or soil; providing a water reservoir below grade at the inhospitable location; placing the mat at the inhospitable location over the water reservoir; extending at least one wick from the mat to the water reservoir; and covering the mat with a perforated, transparent or semi-transparent cover. The wick can be infused with nutrients and/or fertilizer. Hollow tubes can extend downward from the mat to enable excess water to flow into the reservoir. The hollow tubes can surround the wicks. The transparent cover can be placed on or suspended above the mat. SAP, seeds, and/or fertilizer can be placed between mats in a stack. A water distribution system can be included for supplying additional water to the water reservoir.

A plant cage includes an annular base configured to surround a portion of a plant. The base includes a plurality of circumferentially spaced stake openings formed therethrough. Each of the stake openings is inclined relative to a central axis of the base. The base is formed from a first segment releasably coupled to a second segment. The plant cage further includes a plurality of stakes. Each of the stakes is configured to extend through one of the stake openings formed in the base. A first portion of each of the stakes is received in the ground and a second portion of each of the stakes extends away from the ground into a substantially conical shape.

A solar reactive mulch film comprising one or more layers of heat shrink material pre-strained at a predetermined temperature and tension. Immediately cooling the pre-strained layers retains molecular deformation stresses in the material which facilitate shrinkage but not expansion on exposure to solar radiation. The mulch film adapted to be laid over longitudinal growing beds and held tautly by burying its side edges in soil. Exposure of uncovered portions of film to solar radiation causes shrinkage in one or more directions whereby in combination with the weight of the soil holding it down, maintains tautness of the mulch over a growing period. Methods of manufacture and use of the same.

A plant cover apparatus includes a bag having an interior encompassed by a wall that extends from a top end of the bag and tapers inwardly to a bottom end of the bag. The bottom end includes a rim that laterally circumscribes a plant-receiving opening formed through the bag. The bag has a slot that extends vertically from the opening through the wall. The slot includes opposed margins having cooperatively interlocking parts that can temporarily be joined and separated to increase the size of the opening. The bag may be vertically suspended from a support member positioned next to the plant. An exterior perimeter of the bag may be rigid enough to help the bag maintain its shape when suspended.

A dynamic controllable system 10 for moderating energy absorption at the earth's surface includes a series of panel units 110, 610 mounted above the earth's surface over land and water masses. Each panel unit 110, 610 supports rotatable shafts 112, 612, with panels 100, 600 joined to or integrally formed with the shafts 112, 612. Each panel (forcing) 100, 600 has a radiation reflective surface 102, 602 and a radiation emissive surface 104, 604 opposite the radiation reflective surface 102, 602. The panels 100, 602 are selectively rotated into a predetermined one of a plurality of cardinal positions: reflective, emissive and neutral, or into an intermediate position between two of the cardinal positions. The programmable controller 130 receives various data including top of atmosphere satellite data, air temperature and relative humidity at panel units, weather data, time of day, position of panel units, radiation insolation, and combinations thereof. Responsive to real-time data, both local and regional, the programmable controller directs rotational orientation of panels within the panel units, causing a desired reflection of shortwave and longwave radiation away from the earth's surface.

An irrigation apparatus for dispersing liquid through a plant growing medium is disclosed. The apparatus includes a geometrically shaped container of variable size. The container has an outer wall with an inner surface, an open top, and a base portion configured to cover the plant growing medium. The base portion is configured with a plurality of holes for receiving liquid therethrough. The plurality of holes are configured as raised half-circles to block light and receive air, water, and nutrients. The container is configured with at least one center opening therethrough having an inner wall for receiving a plant. The center opening has at least one longitudinal opening extending therefrom to outer wall to allow placement of container on plant or to allow removal of container from plant. The container is configured with a plurality of geometrically shaped stakes of variable size extending therefrom the base portion for providing stability for apparatus to be secured in plant growing medium.

A system and method for in-situ amelioration of saline-alkali soil using microalgae. Sewage and microalgal seeds are pumped into an microalgae growth pond for growing microalgae, and online equipment is used for monitoring the level of nutrients in the pond. When the microalgae reach the stationary phase of their growth, the screen mesh is lifted to separate microalgae from liquid, so that they are conveniently harvested by scraping. The harvested microalgae are returned to the soil as a soil ameliorant.

A controlled environment agriculture system is disclosed, in which the system includes a reflective curtain (100, 600) having a porous membrane with a reflectance value of at least 90%.