This disclosure provides systems, methods, and devices related to the study of ecological processes. In one aspect, a device includes a base, a substrate, and an enclosure. The substrate is in contact with a first surface of the base. The substrate and the base define a root chamber. The enclosure is in contact with a second surface of the base. The base and the enclosure define a growth chamber. The base defines a stem port connecting the root chamber and the growth chamber. The base further defines a first port in fluid communication with the root chamber and a second port in fluid communication with the root chamber. The device is operable to contain a plant, roots of the plant being in the root chamber, a stem of the plant passing through the stem port, and leaves of the plant being in the growth chamber.

This disclosure provides systems, methods, and devices related to the study of ecological processes. In one aspect, a device includes a base, a substrate, and an enclosure. The substrate is in contact with a first surface of the base. The substrate and the base define a root chamber. The enclosure is in contact with a second surface of the base. The base and the enclosure define a growth chamber. The base defines a stem port connecting the root chamber and the growth chamber. The base further defines a first port in fluid communication with the root chamber and a second port in fluid communication with the root chamber. The device is operable to contain a plant, roots of the plant being in the root chamber, a stem of the plant passing through the stem port, and leaves of the plant being in the growth chamber.

A vertical farming system is disclosed herein. The vertical farming system can comprise a frame configured to fit into an enclosed growing environment. The vertical farming system can further comprise a track supported by the frame, where the track is configured to provide side access. The vertical farming system also includes an irrigation conduit coupled to the frame adjacent to the track. The vertical farming system includes a growth media field where the growth media field includes brackets coupled to a top portion of the growth media field. The growth media field can be made of porous material configured to form a root zone environment support and provide fluid distribution to root systems. The brackets can be configured to slidably couple to one or more tracks such that the growth media field is suspended from the one or more tracks.

Disclosed herein are a plant cultivation light source and a plant cultivation apparatus. The plant cultivation light source includes a main light source and an auxiliary light source. The main light source emits light having at least two peak wavelengths. The at least two peak wavelengths fall within a wavelength region absorbed by chlorophyll.

Disclosed herein are a plant cultivation light source and a plant cultivation apparatus. The plant cultivation light source includes a main light source and an auxiliary light source. The main light source emits light having at least two peak wavelengths. The at least two peak wavelengths fall within a wavelength region absorbed by chlorophyll.

A method for obtaining a betalain pigment composition from red beet plants comprising pre-harvest foliar spraying of an ethylene-generating compound and the use of the obtained betalain pigment composition for coloring of an edible product.

A method for obtaining a betalain pigment composition from red beet plants comprising pre-harvest foliar spraying of an ethylene-generating compound and the use of the obtained betalain pigment composition for coloring of an edible product.

An object of the present invention is to provide a method for producing a plant in order to obtain a plant having a high content of a caffeoylquinic acid compound. Another object of the present invention is to provide a method for producing a processed plant product. The method for producing a plant according to the present invention includes a step of growing at least one plant selected from the group consisting of a tuber other than a sweet potato, a plant belonging to the family Convolvulaceae, and a plant belonging to the family Asteraceae; and a step of subjecting the grown plant to nutriculture using a culture solution which is substantially free of a nitrate ion and a phosphate ion.

An object of the present invention is to provide a method for producing a plant in order to obtain a plant having a high content of a caffeoylquinic acid compound. Another object of the present invention is to provide a method for producing a processed plant product. The method for producing a plant according to the present invention includes a step of growing at least one plant selected from the group consisting of a tuber other than a sweet potato, a plant belonging to the family Convolvulaceae, and a plant belonging to the family Asteraceae; and a step of subjecting the grown plant to nutriculture using a culture solution which is substantially free of a nitrate ion and a phosphate ion.

Growing systems may include a number of modular growing chambers with integrated support columns that eliminate the need for an external support frame and which provide a simple way to remove chambers from a stack for harvesting. Pins provided on the support columns ensure alignment and provide for easy removal of a lower chamber by first supporting the stack and slightly lowering it relative to the stack. The chambers may be provided with one or more removable access panels that provide access to the interior of the chambers for harvesting from the plant section inside. The chamber structure supports harvesting processes that permit harvesting of chambers in sequence by sequentially accessing the interior of successive chambers and harvesting a production portion from the plant section inside. Plant production can be made continuous and perpetual by sequentially harvesting from successive chambers and repeating the process after a plant section in a first chamber has regenerated another production portion. The chambers may include one or more plant guides for guiding growth of the plant sections within each chamber.