The invention relates to growing media, methods of manufacture thereof and their use in agriculture.

A plant growth media composition, articles made therefrom, and methods of making and using the same are described. The plant growth media composition includes a combination of one or more plant growth substrate materials and an additive such as cellulose fibers, clay, carrageenan, alginate, chitosan, or combinations thereof.

A synthetic soil substrate system has a plurality of synthetic soil substrate layers that are individually designed to promote plant growth as the roots grow into the layer and as a function of the growth stage. The synthetic soil substrate layers may be planar or may be concentrically arranged with a first synthetic soil substrate ring layer being configured inside of a second synthetic soil substrate ring layer. A synthetic soil substrate has pores that are configured for plant growth and retention and/or deliver of water and growth additives. The average pore size of a first synthetic soil substrate layer may be substantially different from the average pore size of an adjacent synthetic soil substrate layer. Also, the pore structure or shape of the pores may be different between synthetic soil substrate layers, The synthetic soil substrate may have an integral growth additive retained in the pores.

A synthetic soil substrate system has a plurality of synthetic soil substrate layers that are individually designed to promote plant growth as the roots grow into the layer and as a function of the growth stage. The synthetic soil substrate layers may be planar or may be concentrically arranged with a first synthetic soil substrate ring layer being configured inside of a second synthetic soil substrate ring layer. A synthetic soil substrate has pores that are configured for plant growth and retention and/or deliver of water and growth additives. The average pore size of a first synthetic soil substrate layer may be substantially different from the average pore size of an adjacent synthetic soil substrate layer. Also, the pore structure or shape of the pores may be different between synthetic soil substrate layers, The synthetic soil substrate may have an integral growth additive retained in the pores.

Carbon black can be used for soil conditioning, e.g. to promote growth of plants, to promote soil drainage, and to prevent erosion, evaporation, and silting up. The carbon back is worked into the topsoil.

A synthetic soil substrate system has a plurality of synthetic soil substrate layers that are individually designed to promote plant growth as the roots grow into the layer and as a function of the growth stage. The synthetic soil substrate layers may be planar or may be concentrically arranged with a first synthetic soil substrate ring layer being configured inside of a second synthetic soil substrate ring layer. A synthetic soil substrate has pores that are configured for plant growth and retention and/or deliver of water and growth additives. The average pore size of a first synthetic soil substrate layer may be substantially different from the average pore size of an adjacent synthetic soil substrate layer. Also, the pore structure or shape of the pores may be different between synthetic soil substrate layers, The synthetic soil substrate may have an integral growth additive retained in the pores.

A synthetic soil substrate system has a plurality of synthetic soil substrate layers that are individually designed to promote plant growth as the roots grow into the layer and as a function of the growth stage. The synthetic soil substrate layers may be planar or may be concentrically arranged with a first synthetic soil substrate ring layer being configured inside of a second synthetic soil substrate ring layer. A synthetic soil substrate has pores that are configured for plant growth and retention and/or deliver of water and growth additives. The average pore size of a first synthetic soil substrate layer may be substantially different from the average pore size of an adjacent synthetic soil substrate layer. Also, the pore structure or shape of the pores may be different between synthetic soil substrate layers, The synthetic soil substrate may have an integral growth additive retained in the pores.