Variable-scale, modular, easily manufacturable, energy efficient, reliable, and computer operated aeroponic farming superstructure systems (AFSS) may be used to produce plants for human consumption with minimal water and environmental impact. An AFSS system may comprise modules including liquid distribution and plant growing. An AFSS may be configured to be constructed out of a plurality of containerized modules.

Variable-scale, modular, easily manufacturable, energy efficient, reliable, and computer operated aeroponic farming superstructure systems (AFSS) may be used to produce plants for human consumption with minimal water and environmental impact. An AFSS system may comprise modules including liquid distribution and plant growing. An AFSS may be configured to be constructed out of a plurality of containerized modules.

Methods for promoting plant growth based on novel photosafening treatment regimes with glycopyranosides including glycopyranosylglycopyranosides, and aryl--D-glycopyranosides, and more specifically, with one or more compounds comprising terminal mannosyl-triose, optionally in the presence of light enhanced by one or more light reflecting and/or refracting members such as silicon-based substrates. Furthermore, chemical synthesis processes for the above compounds are disclosed for general application to plants. Silicate microbeads of the like are distributed over the ground or substrate in which roots of a plant are supported and planted, beneath and around a plant in a manner that light is refracted or reflected toward the phylloplane.

There is provided a medium for plant cultivation comprising an ethylene-vinyl alcohol copolymer chip. An ethylene content of ethylene-vinyl alcohol copolymer included in the ethylene-vinyl alcohol copolymer chip is preferably 20 to 60 mol %. In addition, a water content in the ethylene-vinyl alcohol copolymer chip is preferably 20 to 300 parts by mass relative to 100 parts by mass of the ethylene-vinyl alcohol copolymer. As a result, it is possible to provide a medium for plant cultivation, which is capable of being used instead of the soil or rock wools, and with which it is possible to sufficiently grow crop plants, to have excellent recyclability, to facilitate a process for disposal the medium, and to have a small environmental burden.

Methods for promoting plant growth based on novel photosafening treatment regimes with glycopyranosides including glycopyranosylglycopyranosides, and aryl-a-D-glycopyranosides, and more specifically, with one or more compounds comprising terminal mannosyl-triose, optionally in the presence of light enhanced by one or more light reflecting and/or refracting members such as silicon-based substrates. Furthermore, chemical synthesis processes for the above compounds are disclosed for general application to plants. Silicate microbeads of the like are distributed over the ground or substrate in which roots of a plant are supported and planted, beneath and around a plant in a manner that light is refracted or reflected toward the phylloplane.

The present disclosure relates to a method of sequestering carbon dioxide which comprises the steps of capturing carbon dioxide from an industrial gaseous waste stream and/or the atmosphere, converting a CO.sub.2 from the CO.sub.2 gas stream into a (COOH).sub.2 and combining the (COOH).sub.2, a mono-alcohol (X-OH), preferably CH.sub.3CH.sub.2OH, and a first acid catalyst comprising a H.sub.2SO.sub.4 at a temperature ranging from about 80? C. to about 100? C. and under atmospheric pressure to produce an ester comprising a (COOX).sub.2 and preferably (COOEt).sub.2; and the ester obtained is reacted with a polyol, preferably glycerine to form a polyester, preferably the polyester is a hydrogel. The present disclosure further relates to the use of a hydrogel which is obtainable by said method.

The present disclosure relates to a method of sequestering carbon dioxide which comprises the steps of capturing carbon dioxide from an industrial gaseous waste stream and/or the atmosphere, converting a CO.sub.2 from the CO.sub.2 gas stream into a (COOH).sub.2 and combining the (COOH).sub.2, a mono-alcohol (X-OH), preferably CH.sub.3CH.sub.2OH, and a first acid catalyst comprising a H.sub.2SO.sub.4 at a temperature ranging from about 80? C. to about 100? C. and under atmospheric pressure to produce an ester comprising a (COOX).sub.2 and preferably (COOEt).sub.2; and the ester obtained is reacted with a polyol, preferably glycerine to form a polyester, preferably the polyester is a hydrogel. The present disclosure further relates to the use of a hydrogel which is obtainable by said method.

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.

Methods for promoting plant growth based on novel photosafening treatment regimes with glycopyranosides including glycopyranosylglycopyranosides, and aryl--D-glycopyranosides, and more specifically, with one or more compounds comprising terminal mannosyl-triose, optionally in the presence of light enhanced by one or more light reflecting and/or refracting members such as silicon-based substrates. Furthermore, chemical synthesis processes for the above compounds are disclosed for general application to plants. Silicate microbeads of the like are distributed over the ground or substrate in which roots of a plant are supported and planted, beneath and around a plant in a manner that light is refracted or reflected toward the phylloplane.

The present invention provides an anti-insect culture medium, comprising a shaped medium having a plurality of pores interconnected to each other, and an anti-insect agent evenly dispersed and fixed in the pores; wherein the shaped medium comprises at least one culture medium solid, the anti-insect agent comprises an anti-insect ingredient, and the anti-insect agent is a sustained-release formulation. The anti-insect culture medium of the present invention can provide a long-term and complete anti-insect efficacy to plant roots. The present invention further provides an anti-insect method, which reduces the amount of anti-insect agents and avoids the inconvenience of regular application.