The patent discloses a method for efficiently collecting and purifying Orobanche cumana (O. cumana) germination stimulants using aeroponic system and solid-phase extraction (SPE), including the following steps: (1) sunflower seeds germination, then planting sunflower seedlings in aeroponic device, and cultivating the sunflower seedlings in the aeroponic system; at the aeroponic stage, phosphorus-containing aeroponic nutrient solution is first used to cultivate the sunflower seedlings for 20 to 25 days, and phosphorus-free aeroponic nutrient solution is then used instead to subject the sunflower seedlings to starvation cultivation for 5 to 7 days; and (2) passing all nutrient solutions in the aeroponic device through an SPE cartridge for SPE to extract O. cumana germination stimulants. The obtained O. cumana germination stimulants are diversified, and have high concentration and purity.

The patent discloses a method for efficiently collecting and purifying Orobanche cumana (O. cumana) germination stimulants using aeroponic system and solid-phase extraction (SPE), including the following steps: (1) sunflower seeds germination, then planting sunflower seedlings in aeroponic device, and cultivating the sunflower seedlings in the aeroponic system; at the aeroponic stage, phosphorus-containing aeroponic nutrient solution is first used to cultivate the sunflower seedlings for 20 to 25 days, and phosphorus-free aeroponic nutrient solution is then used instead to subject the sunflower seedlings to starvation cultivation for 5 to 7 days; and (2) passing all nutrient solutions in the aeroponic device through an SPE cartridge for SPE to extract O. cumana germination stimulants. The obtained O. cumana germination stimulants are diversified, and have high concentration and purity.

The present disclosure provides for, and includes, environments for the production, transport and storage of agricultural products including, but not limited to, fruits, vegetables, grains, tubers, decorative plants, flowers and mushrooms. The present disclosure also relates to methods of preparing environments for the preservation and production of agricultural products Also provided are organic agricultural products having reduced levels of microorganisms and residual organic compounds.

The present disclosure provides for, and includes, environments for the production, transport and storage of agricultural products including, but not limited to, fruits, vegetables, grains, tubers, decorative plants, flowers and mushrooms. The present disclosure also relates to methods of preparing environments for the preservation and production of agricultural products Also provided are organic agricultural products having reduced levels of microorganisms and residual organic compounds.

Methods of propagating and growing poinsettias in pots have allowed poinsettias to become the highest selling potted flowering plant. The present application relates generally to the field of plant propagation. In particular, a method of producing a pre-pinched, callused poinsettia cutting is provided. Also provided is a method to produce a poinsettia with improved growth habit. The invention also provides a pre-pinched, callused poinsettia cutting.

Methods of propagating and growing poinsettias in pots have allowed poinsettias to become the highest selling potted flowering plant. The present application relates generally to the field of plant propagation. In particular, a method of producing a pre-pinched, callused poinsettia cutting is provided. Also provided is a method to produce a poinsettia with improved growth habit. The invention also provides a pre-pinched, callused poinsettia cutting.

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.

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 method is provided of producing a Lactuca plant seed including using a Megachile bee as pollination means, and providing the a Megachile bee a minor nectar plant to have preference in flower visiting, in addition to a pollen parent Lactuca plant and a seed parent Lactuca plant and to perform a crossing of a Lactuca plant using a plant species having the preference in flower visiting equivalent to or lower than that of the Lactuca plant. According to one embodiment, it is possible to produce a Lactuca hybrid plant seed more efficiently and economically than before while using a Megachile bee as pollination means.

A method is provided of producing a Lactuca plant seed including using a Megachile bee as pollination means, and providing the a Megachile bee a minor nectar plant to have preference in flower visiting, in addition to a pollen parent Lactuca plant and a seed parent Lactuca plant and to perform a crossing of a Lactuca plant using a plant species having the preference in flower visiting equivalent to or lower than that of the Lactuca plant. According to one embodiment, it is possible to produce a Lactuca hybrid plant seed more efficiently and economically than before while using a Megachile bee as pollination means.