According to the present invention a composite structure is provided comprising in intimate mixture essentially through the whole composite structure: peat fibers, peat particles, peat agglomerates or mixtures thereof, that have been obtained from horticultural peat by fractionation or by producing from peat fines; and polymer fibers, which composite structure has been heat-treated to bind the polymer fibers to each other and to stabilize the peat fibers, peat particles, peat agglomerates or mixtures thereof in place in the composite structure. In addition, a process is provided for the production of the composite structure.

According to the present invention a composite structure is provided comprising in intimate mixture essentially through the whole composite structure: peat fibers, peat particles, peat agglomerates or mixtures thereof, that have been obtained from horticultural peat by fractionation or by producing from peat fines; and polymer fibers, which composite structure has been heat-treated to bind the polymer fibers to each other and to stabilize the peat fibers, peat particles, peat agglomerates or mixtures thereof in place in the composite structure. In addition, a process is provided for the production of the composite structure.

Provided are methods of inserting seedlings into soil plugs. The method includes: a) automatically identifying a target seedling located in a pick-up area using seedling detection apparatus; b) pick-up up the target seedling with an automated seedling handling apparatus; c) transporting the target seedling to an insertion area; d) providing a first soil plug in the insertion area to receive the target seedling, the first soil plug having a first plug end, a second plug end longitudinally spaced apart from the first plug end and a longitudinal slit extending from the first plug end toward the second plug end; e) spreading the slit in the first soil plug; f) inserting a root portion of the seedling into the slit while a stem portion of the seedling is positioned outside the first soil plug; and g) stripping the target seedling from the handling apparatus whereby the seedling remains received within the slit in the first soil plug.

Also provided are apparatuses and systems for inserting seedlings into soil plugs.

Provided are methods of inserting seedlings into soil plugs. The method includes: a) automatically identifying a target seedling located in a pick-up area using seedling detection apparatus; b) pick-up up the target seedling with an automated seedling handling apparatus; c) transporting the target seedling to an insertion area; d) providing a first soil plug in the insertion area to receive the target seedling, the first soil plug having a first plug end, a second plug end longitudinally spaced apart from the first plug end and a longitudinal slit extending from the first plug end toward the second plug end; e) spreading the slit in the first soil plug; f) inserting a root portion of the seedling into the slit while a stem portion of the seedling is positioned outside the first soil plug; and g) stripping the target seedling from the handling apparatus whereby the seedling remains received within the slit in the first soil plug.

Also provided are apparatuses and systems for inserting seedlings into soil plugs.

The present invention relates to a method for treating a plastic and/or paper waste material having steps including collecting a plastic and/or paper waste material, preferably paper, and highly preferably a release coated cellulose or polymeric sheet material. The material already includes a selected new-use additive preferably selected from flame retardant, hydrophobic material, pesticide, herbicides, minerals, nutrients, and/or mixtures thereof. The method includes the step of preparing the collected material by mixing, separating foreign bodies like metals, etc., and feeding it to a grinding station. The method also includes the step of, in one or several grinding stations, shredding and grinding the materials into small pieces.

An automatic vertical farming system may include a frame defining at least one growth area and configured to support a plurality of vertical plant growth structures within the at least one growth area. The system may include at least one light, at least one liquid conduit, and at least one gas conduit. The system may include at least one robot disposed on a top side of the frame and movably supported by the frame. The at least one robot may include at least one tool configured to manipulate the plurality of vertical plant growth structures. The system may include a control system including at least one processor configured to automatically control illumination by the at least one light, liquid flow through the at least one liquid conduit, gas flow through the at least one gas conduit, and operation of the at least one robot.

An automatic vertical farming system may include a frame defining at least one growth area and configured to support a plurality of vertical plant growth structures within the at least one growth area. The system may include at least one light, at least one liquid conduit, and at least one gas conduit. The system may include at least one robot disposed on a top side of the frame and movably supported by the frame. The at least one robot may include at least one tool configured to manipulate the plurality of vertical plant growth structures. The system may include a control system including at least one processor configured to automatically control illumination by the at least one light, liquid flow through the at least one liquid conduit, gas flow through the at least one gas conduit, and operation of the at least one robot.

A hydroponic mat (1) according to the present invention includes: a resin foam (3) containing Zn, which is an essential micronutrient necessary for growth of plants, in the form of citric acid-soluble ZnO particles (2) (zinc oxide). The ZnO particles (2) have an average particle size within a range (not less than 0.02 m and not greater than 0.7 m) that causes scattering for the wavelength of light that chlorophyll of algae absorbs. The content of the ZnO particles (2) in the resin form (3) is not less than 4.5 mg/piece and not greater than 15.0 mg/piece.

This invention is related to a new substrate (6) for soilless cultivation consisting of a three-dimensional reticular structure which is elastically compressible, with empty cells bounded by threads made of polymer or any other material which are chemically inert, hydro-phobic or weakly hydrophilic. For example, the substrate which consists of a lattice made of threads in polyethylene (6) compressed into a container (4) equipped with an irrigation system (3) and with a support (2) where the plants have been inserted (5). The system is a closed cycle wherein the stored solution (1) is recirculated.

This invention is related to a new substrate (6) for soilless cultivation consisting of a three-dimensional reticular structure which is elastically compressible, with empty cells bounded by threads made of polymer or any other material which are chemically inert, hydro-phobic or weakly hydrophilic. For example, the substrate which consists of a lattice made of threads in polyethylene (6) compressed into a container (4) equipped with an irrigation system (3) and with a support (2) where the plants have been inserted (5). The system is a closed cycle wherein the stored solution (1) is recirculated.