Methylobacterium strains that enhance early growth of plants, improve propagation/transplant vigor, increase nutrient uptake, improve stand establishment, improve stress tolerance, and/or increase a plant's ability to utilize nutrients are provided herein. Also provided are methods to identify Methylobacterium strains that improve nitrogen use efficiency in various crop plants.

Provided is a light emitting device that includes a light emitting element having a light emission peak wavelength ranging from 380 nm to 490 nm, and a fluorescent material excited by light from the light emitting element and emitting light having at a light emission peak wavelength ranging from 580 nm or more to less than 680 nm. The light emitting device emits light having a ratio R/B of a photon flux density R to a photon flux density B ranging from 2.0 to 4.0 and a ratio R/FR of the photon flux density R to a photon flux density FR ranging from 0.7 to 13.0, the photon flux density R being in a wavelength range of 620 nm or more and less than 700 nm, the photon flux density B being in a wavelength range of 380 nm or more and 490 nm or less, and the photon flux density FR being in a wavelength range of 700 nm or more and 780 nm or less.

A method for cultivating Monarda fistulosa for production of thymoquinone includes planting seeds at rates between about 2.5 and about 5 pounds per acre, preferably about 4 pounds per acre. The heavy rate of planting produces plants bearing oil without weed contamination and reduces herbicide use due to production of natural herbicides by the monarda plants. Seeding and mowing the first season, and harvesting in seasons thereafter reduce costs. The method results in increased production of essential oils including thymoquinone and thymohydroquinone at levels up to about 40% or more of recovered oils, and which may be distilled from the plant.

The present disclosure is related to terrein functioning as a biopesticide formulation in drought resistance and growth promotion of crops. The formulation containing terrein can be treated by soaking or spraying on the crops. It is especially suitable for drought and water shortage conditions, promoting growth of plant root length, seedling height, fresh weight, and dry weight, greatly increasing crop yield, and significantly improving drought resistance of crop plants. Under the condition of seed soaking treatment with 10 g/mL terrein, promotion rates of root length, seedling height, fresh weight, and dry weight of pakchoi are 99.19%, 15.66%, 40.34%, and 49.12%, respectively. The source of terrein is easy to obtain and the cost is low. It has a simple structure and is easily soluble in water. In the actual application process, it only needs to simply prepare an aqueous solution or mix with other pesticide formulations for seed soaking or spraying treatment.

The present disclosure is related to terrein functioning as a biopesticide formulation in drought resistance and growth promotion of crops. The formulation containing terrein can be treated by soaking or spraying on the crops. It is especially suitable for drought and water shortage conditions, promoting growth of plant root length, seedling height, fresh weight, and dry weight, greatly increasing crop yield, and significantly improving drought resistance of crop plants. Under the condition of seed soaking treatment with 10 g/mL terrein, promotion rates of root length, seedling height, fresh weight, and dry weight of pakchoi are 99.19%, 15.66%, 40.34%, and 49.12%, respectively. The source of terrein is easy to obtain and the cost is low. It has a simple structure and is easily soluble in water. In the actual application process, it only needs to simply prepare an aqueous solution or mix with other pesticide formulations for seed soaking or spraying treatment.

Provided herein are methodology and composition for use of any nut (such as almond, walnut, or pistachio) or legume (peanut) shell and/or husk material in a growing substrate, with or without other components such as peat, perlite, or coir; for plant growth, whether it be used in its whole form or some reduced form such as, having been chipped or ground, and whether composted or not.

Provided herein are methodology and composition for use of any nut (such as almond, walnut, or pistachio) or legume (peanut) shell and/or husk material in a growing substrate, with or without other components such as peat, perlite, or coir; for plant growth, whether it be used in its whole form or some reduced form such as, having been chipped or ground, and whether composted or not.

A handheld plant compression tool for performing high-stress training. The tool includes an upper shaft having a plurality of upper shaft notches disposed along an edge of the upper shaft. The plurality of upper shaft notches have rounded shapes that vary in size. The tool includes a lower shaft having a plurality of lower shaft notches disposed along an edge of the lower shaft. The plurality of lower shaft notches have rounded shapes that vary in size. The tool includes a handle attached to or integrated with one or both of the upper shaft and the lower shaft. The upper shaft and the lower shaft are coupled to each other at a pivot point. A plurality of apertures are formed by the plurality of upper shaft notches and the plurality of lower shaft notches when the tool is in use.

A light source for plant cultivation includes at least two light emitting devices supplying light to a plant. Each of the light emitting devices includes a first semiconductor layer doped with a first conductivity type dopant, a second semiconductor layer disposed on the first semiconductor layer and doped with a second conductivity type dopant different from the first conductivity type dopant, and an active layer interposed between the first semiconductor layer and the second semiconductor layer. The light emitting devices emit light towards the plant under a different condition in terms of at least one of wavelength, radiation intensity, and emission timing to control the type and content of phytochemicals in the plant.

A light source for plant cultivation includes at least two light emitting devices supplying light to a plant. Each of the light emitting devices includes a first semiconductor layer doped with a first conductivity type dopant, a second semiconductor layer disposed on the first semiconductor layer and doped with a second conductivity type dopant different from the first conductivity type dopant, and an active layer interposed between the first semiconductor layer and the second semiconductor layer. The light emitting devices emit light towards the plant under a different condition in terms of at least one of wavelength, radiation intensity, and emission timing to control the type and content of phytochemicals in the plant.