The present disclosure relates to a gas explosion type intelligent variable-rate fertilization scarifier for a tea garden. The gas explosion type intelligent variable-rate fertilization scarifier includes a walking mechanism, a fertilization-scarifying mechanism, a gas explosion mechanism, a solid fertilizer supply mechanism, and a water fertilizer supply mechanism. The fertilization-scarifying mechanism includes a transmission assembly, a detection assembly, and a fertilization-scarifying assembly. A first fertilizer conveying pipeline is fixedly connected between the solid fertilizer supply mechanism and the fertilization-scarifying assembly, and a second fertilizer conveying pipeline is fixedly connected between the water fertilizer supply mechanism and the fertilization-scarifying assembly. Each of the first fertilizer conveying pipeline and the second fertilizer conveying pipeline is provided with a solenoid valve. The walking mechanism, the gas explosion mechanism, the solid fertilizer supply mechanism, the water fertilizer supply mechanism, the fertilization-scarifying mechanism and the solenoid valves are all electrically connected to a same controller.

The present disclosure relates to horticultural hydrogels for growing plants and/or fungi, and more particularly to hydrogel-based substrates for the germination, growth, and/or sporulation of those plants and/or fungi.

A light source for plant cultivation includes a first light source emitting a first type of light for photosynthesis of a plant and a second light source emitting a second type of light for adjustment of phytochemicals in the plant. The first type of light has at least one peak in the visible spectrum, and the second type of light has a peak in a different wavelength band from the first light source. The second type of light has a peak in the wavelength band of about 360 nm to about 420 nm.

Described is a hydroponic system wherein a feed formulation comprising a plant's nutritionally required mineral nutrients is applied to the foliage of the plant and the roots of the plant are in contact with an incomplete water solution that may comprise only hydrogen and oxygen. The feed formulation, methods of feeding a plant or plant seed, and plants produced thereby are also described.

Described is a hydroponic system wherein a feed formulation comprising a plant's nutritionally required mineral nutrients is applied to the foliage of the plant and the roots of the plant are in contact with an incomplete water solution that may comprise only hydrogen and oxygen. The feed formulation, methods of feeding a plant or plant seed, and plants produced thereby are also described.

A light source for plant cultivation and a plant cultivation method are provided. The plant cultivation method includes planting germinated seeds of a plant; and growing the plant by applying light treatment to the plant. In growing the plant, main light treatment of supplying main light to the plant and dark treatment of cutting off supply of the main light to the plant are alternated. The main light has at least two peak wavelengths in the visible light spectrum. In addition, the main light has a PPFD of greater than 92 mol/m.sub.2/s to less than 198 mol/m.sup.2/s.

A light source for plant cultivation and a plant cultivation method are provided. The plant cultivation method includes planting germinated seeds of a plant; and growing the plant by applying light treatment to the plant. In growing the plant, main light treatment of supplying main light to the plant and dark treatment of cutting off supply of the main light to the plant are alternated. The main light has at least two peak wavelengths in the visible light spectrum. In addition, the main light has a PPFD of greater than 92 mol/m.sub.2/s to less than 198 mol/m.sup.2/s.

A method for cultivating functional crops using nano organic germanium and nano organic selenium, includes performing irrigation or foliar fertilization on plants of the crops with nanoscaled organic germanium and nanoscaled organic selenium, which are prepared in nanoscale sizes by performing one or two or more selected from a method of applying physical energy (heat or pressure) to organic germanium and organic selenium, a method of applying electrical explosive energy, and a chemical bonding process, at least twice at the time when the plants of the crops are most vigorously grown and developed and at the time of maturation to bear fruit, wherein the prepared nanoscaled organic germanium and nanoscaled organic selenium are one-component materials which are dispersed in water as a solvent in a nanoscale state.

A method for cultivating functional crops using nano organic germanium and nano organic selenium, includes performing irrigation or foliar fertilization on plants of the crops with nanoscaled organic germanium and nanoscaled organic selenium, which are prepared in nanoscale sizes by performing one or two or more selected from a method of applying physical energy (heat or pressure) to organic germanium and organic selenium, a method of applying electrical explosive energy, and a chemical bonding process, at least twice at the time when the plants of the crops are most vigorously grown and developed and at the time of maturation to bear fruit, wherein the prepared nanoscaled organic germanium and nanoscaled organic selenium are one-component materials which are dispersed in water as a solvent in a nanoscale state.

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.