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.

Disclosed are methods of improving germination rates of plants/crops, as well as preventing or arresting water evaporation loss from targeted soil areas, which allows for improved water usage efficiency by crops, plants, grasses, vegetation, etc.

Cryo-sprouts are germinated, grown and shipped in the same covered container with reduced numbers of pathogenic organisms. Seeds are placed on a membrane in the container with sufficient water. The container with the seeds is incubated at a pathogen antagonistic temperature during the growth phase. The pathogen antagonistic temperature is preferably between about 35° F. and about 45° F. The cryo-sprouts grown according to these methods have reduced numbers of pathogenic organisms, are greener and have an extended shelf-life.

Cryo-sprouts are germinated, grown and shipped in the same covered container with reduced numbers of pathogenic organisms. Seeds are placed on a membrane in the container with sufficient water. The container with the seeds is incubated at a pathogen antagonistic temperature during the growth phase. The pathogen antagonistic temperature is preferably between about 35° F. and about 45° F. The cryo-sprouts grown according to these methods have reduced numbers of pathogenic organisms, are greener and have an extended shelf-life.

The invention relates to novel nitrification inhibitors of formula I, which are substituted thiazolidine compounds. Moreover, the invention relates to the use of compounds of formula (I) as nitrification inhibitors, i.e. for reducing nitrification, as well as agrochemical mixtures and compositions comprising the nitrification inhibitors of formula (I).

A method for promoting the accumulation of secondary metabolites of cannabis is disclosed. The method comprises the step of adding an irradiation of green-yellow light, which has a peak wavelength at 505-590 nm, into the indoor growing environment of cannabis to improve the level of cannabidiol (CBD), secondary metabolites in cannabis. While maintaining the light intensity and other growth conditions, the yield and/or level of CBD, secondary metabolites in cannabis, can be increased by up to 11.04%.

A method for promoting levels of medicinal ingredients in cannabis. The method comprises a step to administering an irradiation of a combined light source including red light, green light and blue light in an indoor growing environment of cannabis. A ratio of photon number between a sum of the red and green light to the blue light is regulated in a range from 4.5 to 9.6. While maintaining the light intensity and other growth conditions, the yields and levels of CBD, secondary metabolites in cannabis, can be increased by up to 20.84%.

The present invention includes broccoli plants with curds having detached florets and methods for obtaining such broccoli plants. The present invention also provides reagents that can be used in methods for obtaining such broccoli plants.

This invention relates to methods and materials for providing a benefit to a plant by associating the plant with a complex endophyte comprising a host fungus further comprising a component bacterium, including benefits to a plant derived from a seed or other plant element treated with a complex endophyte. For example, this invention provides purified complex endophytes, purified complex endophyte components such as bacteria or fungi, synthetic combinations comprising said complex endophytes and/or components, and methods of making and using the same.

A plant cultivation method for increasing the phytochemical content of a Labiatae plant is provided. The plant cultivation method includes cultivating the Labiatae plant in a visible light environment having a dark period and a light period during which the Labiatae plant is exposed to visible light in an alternate manner, and performing treatment with UVB radiation during the light period for at least one day before harvesting. A cumulative dose of the UVB radiation may range from 0.54 J/m.sup.2 to 4.32 kJ/m.sup.2.