A hydromulch composition compromising an oil-extruded cottonseed meal processed from a non-delinted cottonseed. The oil-extruded fuzzy cottonseed meal can optionally be combined with one or more super absorbent polymers, such as polyaspartate and polyacrylate polymers and other additives. The hydromulch composition can additionally include one or more microorganisms including but not limited to bacteria and mycorrhizae configured to provide symbiotic relationship with treated soil and plants to increase water and nutrient uptake in the treated plants or soil. The hydromulch composition can further be combined with a dispersant, such as water to make slurry for spray on application to a desired treatment surface.

Plants are grown in adjacent rows of trays that are rotated within a pool of a nutrient solution. The roots of the plants are at least partly immersed in the nutrient solution. Each row includes a gap wide enough to receive a single tray from an adjacent row. Using three rows, the plants are planted only in one of the rows, and later the rotation is used to space the planted trays one tray apart. Each tray is a parallelepipedal block with apertures for supporting respective plants. The long sides of the blocks have protrusions for preventing adhesion of the blocks. Airlift pumping circulates the nutrient solution past the roots and maintains at least 80% dissolved oxygen saturation in the nutrient solution. A screen of parallel inflatable tubes provides adjustable shade above the pool.

Plants are grown in adjacent rows of trays that are rotated within a pool of a nutrient solution. The roots of the plants are at least partly immersed in the nutrient solution. Each row includes a gap wide enough to receive a single tray from an adjacent row. Using three rows, the plants are planted only in one of the rows, and later the rotation is used to space the planted trays one tray apart. Each tray is a parallelepipedal block with apertures for supporting respective plants. The long sides of the blocks have protrusions for preventing adhesion of the blocks. Airlift pumping circulates the nutrient solution past the roots and maintains at least 80% dissolved oxygen saturation in the nutrient solution. A screen of parallel inflatable tubes provides adjustable shade above the pool.

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).

A textile barrier apparatus includes an inner layer comprising an aqueous super absorbent polymer composition (SAP) and first and second outer textile layers attached to opposite sides of the inner layer. A landfill version includes an odor neutralizer, a biocide and/or a nutrient to support vegetation. A fire barrier version has the first and second outer textile layers including water permeable membrane and a fire retardant treatment. A planting groundcover version includes a patterned thickness of SAP corresponding to a planting pattern and a nutrient to support vegetation.

In accordance with the present invention, the Alpha Planter provides total protection to new seedlings and small plants purchased for the purpose of growing and maturing for the early development of plants.

The invention is a completely biodegradable, bio-based plant and seedling mulching device that inhibits the growth of noxious weeds while allowing the flow of water to the root zone of the plant or seedling.

The device would be a spherical-shaped case made of lightweight, clear plastic. It would consist of two-pieces with hinges on the upper, middle and lower back area that would enable the user to easily clamp the device around each developing fruit or vegetable attached to a plant, while it is in the early stage of growth. The device would have a stem opening made of soft rubber split in 2 halves and a protective foam cushion, also split in 2 halves, on one end that would allow it to be attached safely and securely over the stem without crushing it. The plastic case would contain a plurality of ventilation apertures. The device could be injection molded from clear plastic, such as Polyvinyl chloride (PVC). The stem entry can be made of flexible weather resistant rubber and the foam insert could be molded from polyurethane foam or foam rubber.

A plant protection guarding system is described comprising an upper sleeve that is configured, in use, to be positioned around a plants stem and to extend upwards from ground level; and a lower portion comprising one or more anchor portions configured, in use, to extend around a root system of the plant to anchor the plant protection sleeve after planting. Further aspects are described to a prepared plant assembly; methods of forming a plant assembly; methods of planting a plant using a planting tool and a prepared plant assembly.

The present disclosure provides a simplified cotton cultivation method relying on setting bolls on VBs. Not only can the method form seed cotton yield and increase the yield by at least 10% compared with conventional manual pruning or no-prune technique, but also eliminate pruning and topping. The method is a new, simple and feasible simplified cotton cultivation method. The simplified cotton cultivation method relying on setting bolls on VBs includes the following steps: heading a cotton plant to retain only VBs when cotton grows to squaring stage, namely cutting off the first fruiting branch and an upper main stem thereof from the cotton plant after squaring, and only retaining the vegetative branches for growth and development, squaring, flowering, and setting bolls.