A method of growing plants in a coherent growth substrate product is provided and includes: providing at least one coherent growth substrate product comprising man-made vitreous fibres (MMVF) bonded with a cured aqueous binder composition; positioning one or more seeds, seedlings, cuttings or plants in contact with the growth substrate product; and irrigating the growth substrate product. The aqueous binder composition prior to curing includes a component (i) in the form of one or more oxidized lignins, a component (ii) in the form of one or more cross-linkers, and a component (iii) in the form of one or more plasticizers.

A synthetic growing media, such as for a hydroponic growing system, includes a plastic body having multiple legs pointing in different directions. One or more of the legs has a bulbous tip. A synthetic growing medium comprising an aggregate of synthetic growing media and hydroponic system for plant cultivation are also disclosed.

A straw-based pot body blanket seedling growth substrate using straw fibres as a framework, utilising an enhancer, a retention aid and a wet strength agent as additives, and being prepared from composite decomposed livestock manure, perlite and vermiculite, the addition amount of the straw fibres being 60-70 v/v %, the addition amount of the decomposed livestock manure being 5-10 v/v %, the addition amount of the perlite being 5-10 v/v %, the addition amount of the vermiculite being 5-10 v/v %. The pot body blanket seedling growth substrate is suitable for cutting and easily implementing fully automated transplantation, is beneficial for root growth, shortens seeding growth periods, and increases seedling growth bed emergence rates. The pot body blanket seedling growth substrate may be applied to solanaceae seedling growth, and can also provide a block-shaped substrate for landscape flowers and plants in a three-dimensional arrangements.

A straw-based pot body blanket seedling growth substrate using straw fibres as a framework, utilising an enhancer, a retention aid and a wet strength agent as additives, and being prepared from composite decomposed livestock manure, perlite and vermiculite, the addition amount of the straw fibres being 60-70 v/v %, the addition amount of the decomposed livestock manure being 5-10 v/v %, the addition amount of the perlite being 5-10 v/v %, the addition amount of the vermiculite being 5-10 v/v %. The pot body blanket seedling growth substrate is suitable for cutting and easily implementing fully automated transplantation, is beneficial for root growth, shortens seeding growth periods, and increases seedling growth bed emergence rates. The pot body blanket seedling growth substrate may be applied to solanaceae seedling growth, and can also provide a block-shaped substrate for landscape flowers and plants in a three-dimensional arrangements.

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.

A hydroponic plant production apparatus comprising: a hollow grow tube with a slot formed in the front face of the grow tube, and a matrix media insert composed of two halves, where the media is insertable into the grow tube, allowing plants to be inserted and grown between the two halves of the matrix media insert in the grow tube is provided. Methods for use of a hollow grow tube with a slot formed in the front face of the grow tube, and a matrix media insert composed of two halves, where the media is insertable into the grow tube, allowing plants to be inserted and grown between the two halves of the matrix media insert in the grow tube are also provided.

A modular hydroponic tower array fixture system for the growth of organisms such as plants and fungi on arrays of hydroponic towers, allowing for the insertion and removal of individual towers from the array, is provided. Methods for the production of organisms such as plants and fungi using a modular hydroponic tower array fixture system are also provided herein.

The present invention provides a biodegradable substrate for supporting growth of seeds or clones. The substrate comprises: about 70% to about 95% hemp fibre and about 5% to about 30% of a biodegradable thermoplastic polymer. The present invention also provides a process for preparing a biodegradable substrate for supporting growth of seeds or clones from a hemp fibre-based mat.

The present invention provides a biodegradable substrate for supporting growth of seeds or clones. The substrate comprises: about 70% to about 95% hemp fibre and about 5% to about 30% of a biodegradable thermoplastic polymer. The present invention also provides a process for preparing a biodegradable substrate for supporting growth of seeds or clones from a hemp fibre-based mat.

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.