A system and method for treating a plant structure (bulbs, corms, tubers, rhizomes, buds, cuttings and whole plants) with low-temperature plasma to increase one or more growth and development characteristic of the plant and reduce microbial attacks. The plasma device is a portable or mobile plasma device powered by a DC or high-frequency power source. The plant structure is inserted into an enclosure containing the plasma. Alternatively, the plasma device is moved to treat the whole plant structure.

The present invention relates to a plant regeneration medium composition and a plant regeneration method using same. More specifically, the present invention relates to a plant regeneration medium composition using a medium composition containing Shungite as an active ingredient to increase the rates of shoot organogenesis and root organogenesis, thereby shortening the time required for organogenesis using a plant explant and improving the efficiency of ontogeny, and to a plant regeneration method using same.

The present invention provides a method for cultivating plants of the Asteraceae family, which promotes flower bud formation in the reproductive phase. The present invention relates to a method for cultivating plants of the Asteraceae family, wherein the cultivation temperature in the reproductive phase is set lower by at least 5° C. than the cultivation temperature in the vegetative phase to promote flower bud formation in the reproductive phase.

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 foliage shredder that can shred inputted foliage matter into uniform sized particles without pulverizing the inputted foliage matter includes a housing, a shredding axle, a motor, a stand, a digital timer, a power cord, and a lid. The shredding axle is concentrically positioned within a cylindrical compartment of the housing and rotatably coupled to a rotor of the motor. A stator of the motor is externally connected to the housing and electrically connected to the power cord through the digital timer. The lid is terminally attached to the housing thus closing the cylindrical compartment. The cylindrical compartment functions as a container unit for the inputted foliage as the electrically powered shredding axle shreds the inputted foliage into uniform sized particles.

Embodiments of the invention are biodegradable pods containing materials to repair damaged turf (lawns, fields). Each pod is sized and configured to repair an area ranging in size from about 9 square inches to about 36 square inches (60 cm.sup.2 to 230 cm.sup.2). The pods contain granulated ingredients including fertilizer, grass seed, gypsum, humic acid and calcium, in a material that expands when moistened. The pods are covered with a water-disruptable covering such as a polyvinyl alcohol film or a biodegradable paper.

Embodiments of the invention are biodegradable pods containing materials to repair damaged turf (lawns, fields). Each pod is sized and configured to repair an area ranging in size from about 9 square inches to about 36 square inches (60 cm.sup.2 to 230 cm.sup.2). The pods contain granulated ingredients including fertilizer, grass seed, gypsum, humic acid and calcium, in a material that expands when moistened. The pods are covered with a water-disruptable covering such as a polyvinyl alcohol film or a biodegradable paper.

Methods and systems for enhancing the biosynthesis of plant-derived compounds, including medicinal compounds, activate plant defense mechanisms by a combination of growth in red and blue light, mechanical injury of leaves or other plant structures, and/or administration of plant defense hormones to the plants. For compounds derivable from biochemical reactions between precursors stored in different parts of a plant or plant tissue, yield and ease of production are further enhanced through in situ activation of enzyme reactions in harvested plant tissues, thereby avoiding the need to purify and react the isolated precursors. The production methods increase yield, reduce the number of production steps required, and improve the safety of the production process. The methods are suitable for use in greenhouse or modular farm environments.

Methods and systems for enhancing the biosynthesis of plant-derived compounds, including medicinal compounds, activate plant defense mechanisms by a combination of growth in red and blue light, mechanical injury of leaves or other plant structures, and/or administration of plant defense hormones to the plants. For compounds derivable from biochemical reactions between precursors stored in different parts of a plant or plant tissue, yield and ease of production are further enhanced through in situ activation of enzyme reactions in harvested plant tissues, thereby avoiding the need to purify and react the isolated precursors. The production methods increase yield, reduce the number of production steps required, and improve the safety of the production process. The methods are suitable for use in greenhouse or modular farm environments.

A system and method for treating a plant structure (bulbs, corms, tubers, rhizomes, buds, cuttings and whole plants) with low-temperature plasma to increase one or more growth and development characteristic of the plant and reduce microbial attacks. The plasma device is a portable or mobile plasma device powered by a DC or high-frequency power source. The plant structure is inserted into an enclosure containing the plasma. Alternatively, the plasma device is moved to treat the whole plant structure.