A method for increasing floral yield of a flowering plant includes positioning the plant between side lights at the onset of a flowering stage of the plant, such that the plant is flanked by the side lights. The method also includes irradiating lateral sides of the flowering plant along the total height via the side lights with light in a predetermined red spectrum range for a duration of the flowering stage, such that at least 80 percent of the light has a wavelength of between 580 nm and 780 nm. The plant may be positioned between first and second sets of equally-spaced elongated side lights on respective first and second lateral sides of the plant. Supplemental lighting devices may be attached to the plant, with an interior of the plant irradiated with the red spectrum light for the duration of the flowering stage using the lighting devices.

An extract of plants from the Tagetes genus enriched with leontopodic acid B, a method for preparing the extract, a cosmetic composition, a nutraceutical composition, and a pharmaceutical composition, where the compositions includes, as the active agent, at least one extract of plants from the Tagetes genus. A method of using the extract as a drug for preventing and/or treating a neurodegenerative disease, including Alzheimer's disease. A cosmetic composition including the extract.

An extract of plants from the Tagetes genus enriched with leontopodic acid B, a method for preparing the extract, a cosmetic composition, a nutraceutical composition, and a pharmaceutical composition, where the compositions includes, as the active agent, at least one extract of plants from the Tagetes genus. A method of using the extract as a drug for preventing and/or treating a neurodegenerative disease, including Alzheimer's disease. A cosmetic composition including the extract.

A method for producing a plant seedling is provided, which is based on microwave radiation in order to efficiently facilitate the plant growth. In the method, microwave radiation is started at any timing during a period ranging from appearance of a first true leaf to a timing provided before appearance of a second true leaf in a growth process of a plant. The radiation time of the microwave may be within 1 hour, and the output of the microwave may be 2 to 25 W per 1 to 20 seedling or seedlings.

A method for producing a plant seedling is provided, which is based on microwave radiation in order to efficiently facilitate the plant growth. In the method, microwave radiation is started at any timing during a period ranging from appearance of a first true leaf to a timing provided before appearance of a second true leaf in a growth process of a plant. The radiation time of the microwave may be within 1 hour, and the output of the microwave may be 2 to 25 W per 1 to 20 seedling or seedlings.

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.

A method of cultivating plant in transparent sealed container and base used therefor, wherein the base is mainly obtained by solidifying a mixture formed by adding gellan gum to transparent nutritional liquid; the gellan gum being added to the nutritional liquid is in an amount of 2-10 g/L; the base has a PH value of 3.5-10.0. The use of gellan gum as the sole transparent solidifying agent ensures the gellan gum, the base of the present invention is capable of adhering securely in the transparent sealed container. As shown by experiments, the base of the present invention will not slide or disperse in the transparent sealed container under normal shaking state, and can remain adhered to the transparent sealed container for 3-10 minutes when the transparent sealed container is turned upside down.

A method of cultivating plant in transparent sealed container and base used therefor, wherein the base is mainly obtained by solidifying a mixture formed by adding gellan gum to transparent nutritional liquid; the gellan gum being added to the nutritional liquid is in an amount of 2-10 g/L; the base has a PH value of 3.5-10.0. The use of gellan gum as the sole transparent solidifying agent ensures the gellan gum, the base of the present invention is capable of adhering securely in the transparent sealed container. As shown by experiments, the base of the present invention will not slide or disperse in the transparent sealed container under normal shaking state, and can remain adhered to the transparent sealed container for 3-10 minutes when the transparent sealed container is turned upside down.

A facility for treating and recycling animal waste (2), including a unit (6) for methanizing the waste including treatment of the obtained biogases, a cogeneration unit (8) delivering electricity and heat (32) from the biogases, and a unit for hydroponically cultivating microalgae (14) in photo-bioreactors supplied by the liquid phase (12) of the organic residues from the methanization. The facility further includes a unit for cultivating macrophytes (22) supplied with water (20) leaving the unit for cultivating microalgae, and a vermiculture unit (24) fed by harvesting the macrophytes (22) and by the sludge (36) coming from the raw digestate from the methanization.