Some aspects of the disclosure relate to composite materials and cultivation systems with particular utility for use in aquaculture, for example cultivating various species of seaweed. The systems comprise at least one highly tortuous and often micro-fibrous material and at least one material having low tortuosity. These systems may be configured in a variety of shapes and associated with a number of different structures. Some of these composite materials and cultivation systems may be used in both direct and indirect seeding of macroalgae plants such as seaweed.

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.

Provided are: a gas barrier resin composition having sufficient long-run workability and superior gas barrier properties which compare favorably to those of fossil fuel-derived resins, while containing a biomass-derived raw material; a multilayer structure in which the gas barrier resin is used; and a method for producing such a gas barrier resin composition. The gas barrier resin composition contains at least one type of saponified ethylene-vinyl ester copolymer, wherein of ethylene and a vinyl ester, which are raw materials of the at least one type of saponified ethylene-vinyl ester copolymer, a part is derived from biomass, and a remainder is derived from a fossil fuel.

A biostimulant composition comprising an amino acid, a polysaccharide, a betaine, a polyol, an enzyme and a plant hormone is disclosed herein. The biostimulant compositions are useful for enhancing the biomass of a horticultural, arboricultural or an agricultural crop. The biostimulant compositions are also useful for enhancing at least one of enhancing protein content, sugar content, trace element content, resistance to bruising, or preservation capacity.

A biostimulant composition comprising an amino acid, a polysaccharide, a betaine, a polyol, an enzyme and a plant hormone is disclosed herein. The biostimulant compositions are useful for enhancing the biomass of a horticultural, arboricultural or an agricultural crop. The biostimulant compositions are also useful for enhancing at least one of enhancing protein content, sugar content, trace element content, resistance to bruising, or preservation capacity.

Embodiments of the disclosure relate to soilless growth media with light reflecting and light absorbing surfaces for indoor farming and methods of using the media to germinate seeds and develop plants. In some embodiments, the soilless growth media can be a fabric made from two webs that can be joined together with a tie-in yarn linking the light reflecting plant supporting surface web yarn and the light absorbing web base yarn together in the fabric. The soilless growth media in embodiments of the disclosure can be used to reduce evaporation from nutrient delivery systems and improve controlled environmental agriculture operating efficiency.

A substrate comprised of a gel on a wire or mesh scaffolding may be used for growth of plants. The gel may include two polysaccharide components, with a second of the two components providing increased rigidity and/or adherence to the scaffolding. Plants may be grown, including from seed, in the substrate. The substrate may be used as part of a grow wall in an aeroponics plant growth system.

A gel plug comprised of a gel may be used for growth of plants. The gel may include two polysaccharide components, with a second of the two components providing increased rigidity Plants may be grown, including from seed, in the gel plug.

Disclosed are a substrate a container and a method for producing consumer-ready vegetables, mushrooms or herbs, a method of producing the substrate, and use of the substrate for producing consumer-ready vegetables, mushrooms or herbs. The substrate comprises a polymer fiber based body having a porous structure, wherein the polymer fiber based body comprises a sowing material receiving surface for receiving sowing material of the vegetables, mushrooms or herbs, wherein the polymer fiber based body comprises polyethylene terephthalate, PET, fiber material.

Disclosed are a substrate a container and a method for producing consumer-ready vegetables, mushrooms or herbs, a method of producing the substrate, and use of the substrate for producing consumer-ready vegetables, mushrooms or herbs. The substrate comprises a polymer fiber based body having a porous structure, wherein the polymer fiber based body comprises a sowing material receiving surface for receiving sowing material of the vegetables, mushrooms or herbs, wherein the polymer fiber based body comprises polyethylene terephthalate, PET, fiber material.