[Object] To provide a three-dimensional shape information generating system, a three-dimensional shape forming apparatus, a three-dimensional shape information generating method, and a program, each of which is capable of forming a three-dimensional-shaped object that has an arbitrary outer shape and is used to cultivate plants.

[Solution] The three-dimensional shape information generating system includes: a shape information generating unit configured to generate, on the basis of outer shape information indicating an outer shape of a three-dimensional-shaped object used to cultivate a plant, shape information indicating a shape of the three-dimensional-shaped object in which at least a part of a region has a three-dimensional mesh-like structure; and an output unit configured to output the shape information to cause a three-dimensional shape forming unit to form the three-dimensional-shaped object.

The invention relates to a coherent growth substrate product formed of man-made vitreous fibres bonded with a cured binder composition and a wetting agent, wherein the wetting agent is an alkyl ether sulphate. The invention further relates to methods of using or producing such a coherent growth substrate.

The invention relates to a coherent growth substrate product formed of man-made vitreous fibres bonded with a cured binder composition and a wetting agent, wherein the wetting agent is an alkyl ether sulphate. The invention further relates to methods of using or producing such a coherent growth substrate.

A dual-media horticultural plug comprising a base having a substantially continuous bottom surface and a top surface spaced from the bottom surface, a sidewall extending from the base and forming an elongated inner cavity, a growing substrate substantially filling the elongated inner cavity, and a water-impermeable outer cover substantially covering an open top end of the elongated inner cavity. The growing substrate comprises a first growing medium having a first water holding capacity, and at least one of the base and the sidewall comprise a second growing medium having a second water holding capacity. The first water holding capacity is greater than the second water holding capacity.

Disclosed is a fibrous solid substrate in pellet form suitable for use in agriculture. The fibrous solid substrate in pellet form is obtained from spent biomass material following an anaerobic fermentation and biogas production. Further disclosed is a method for cultivating fungal cells and/or spores using said fibrous solid substrate in pellet form. Also disclosed are methods for upgrading spent biomass material from a biogas production unit to fertilizer products, fibers and substrate for biogas.

A culture support substrate comprising: a first part, making up the backbone of the substrate and representing more than 70% of the total volume of the substrate, composed of particles P.sub.>100 m with particle size greater than 100 m, the particles as a whole consisting of hard particles P.sub.H>100 and/or of resilient particles P.sub.R>100, wherein the resilient particles make up a proportion by volume PV of between 0% and 100% by volume of this first part; a second part of corpuscular components P.sub.<100 with a particle size of less than 100 m, and making up from 0 to 450 g/l of the substrate; a third part, making up from 0 to 200 g/l of the substrate, composed of fine fibers between 3 mm and 100 mm in length and between 5 m and 35 m in diameter; and a fourth part, making up from 0 to 200 g/l of the substrate.

An agricultural water retention system including a subsurface water retention barrier positioned in soil below a root zone of one or more plants; wherein the subsurface water retention barrier consists of a plurality of hydrophobic beads layered in a loosely packed manner; and wherein the subsurface water retention barrier is air permeable. Optionally, there is also included a surface evaporation barrier positioned proximate a surface of the soil, such that the surface evaporation barrier includes at least one layer of hydrophobic beads.

A stackable plant holder for growing one or more plants is provided. The stackable plant holder includes: (i) a plant box, (ii) a vent, and (iii) an adjustable hanger. The plant box is filled with soil. The vent is adapted to drain an excess of water into a gutter. The vent is provided at the bottom of the plant box. The adjustable hanger is adapted to be coupled to backside of the plant box to hang the plant box.

A soil improver for increasing the liquid storage capacity of soils made of a plastic foam, the plastic foam having at least predominantly open cells, characterized in that the plastic foam has a raw density of 5 to 15 kg/m.sup.3. The invention also relates to a method for producing a plastic foam of such a soil improver.

A soil improver for increasing the liquid storage capacity of soils made of a plastic foam, the plastic foam having at least predominantly open cells, characterized in that the plastic foam has a raw density of 5 to 15 kg/m.sup.3. The invention also relates to a method for producing a plastic foam of such a soil improver.