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.

A process of plant fertilization includes adsorbing phosphorus from an anthropogenic phosphorus source onto a plurality of particles of phosphorus adsorbent and then applying the plurality of particles of phosphorus adsorbent to a plant medium. A composition includes a soil amendment and a plant medium. The soil amendment includes a plurality of particles of phosphoms adsorbent and phosphorus from an anthropogenic phosphorus source adsorbed onto the particles. A process includes adsorbing a first amount of phosphorus from a phosphorus source onto a plurality of particles of phosphorus adsorbent to saturate the particles of phosphorus adsorbent with phosphoms. The process also includes processing the particles to maintain the first amount of phosphorus on the particles and permit additional adsorption of phosphorus onto the particles. The process further includes adsorbing an additional amount of phosphoms from the phosphoms source onto the particles to saturate the particles with phosphoms.

A process of plant fertilization includes adsorbing phosphorus from an anthropogenic phosphorus source onto a plurality of particles of phosphorus adsorbent and then applying the plurality of particles of phosphorus adsorbent to a plant medium. A composition includes a soil amendment and a plant medium. The soil amendment includes a plurality of particles of phosphoms adsorbent and phosphorus from an anthropogenic phosphorus source adsorbed onto the particles. A process includes adsorbing a first amount of phosphorus from a phosphorus source onto a plurality of particles of phosphorus adsorbent to saturate the particles of phosphorus adsorbent with phosphoms. The process also includes processing the particles to maintain the first amount of phosphorus on the particles and permit additional adsorption of phosphorus onto the particles. The process further includes adsorbing an additional amount of phosphoms from the phosphoms source onto the particles to saturate the particles with phosphoms.

A hydroponic tower including a cavity defining a front tower surface and a rear inside surface, and further including a plant plug holder inserted within a cut-out defined in the front tower surface. The plant plug holder includes an edge member that encircles the cut-out, and a base member that supports a plant plug and extends rearward from the edge member and into the cavity of the tower. The plug holder further includes a rear shroud top member and a pair of side members that maintain the position of the plant plug within the plug holder such that the plant plug contacts the rear inside surface of the cavity when inserted into the plug holder.

A hydroponic tower including a cavity defining a front tower surface and a rear inside surface, and further comprising a plant plug holder inserted within a cut-out defined in the front tower surface. The plant plug holder includes an edge member that encircles the holder's opening and which may be sealed to the front tower surface, and a base member configured to support a plant plug and which extends rearward from the edge member and into the cavity of the tower. The plug holder further includes a rear shroud top member and a pair of side members that maintain the position of the plant plug within the plug, holder such that the plant plug contacts the rear inside surface of the cavity when inserted into the plug holder.

Crops, for example microgreens, may be aeroponically grown from seed on substrates. The substrates may be seeded with the substrates in a horizontal position, and then arranged vertically for germination and further growth. A gelling material in solution, with the gelling material for example a gellum, may be applied to the substrates, while in the horizontal position, so that the seeds are retained on the substrates when the substrates are moved to a vertical position.

A nutrient medium for the cultivation of plants, containing (a) 3 g/l to 18 g/l agar and (b) 0.5 g/l to 3 g/l carrageenan, as well as plant plugs which contain such a nutrient medium, a method for the production of the plant plugs, and a method for the automated or semi-automated cultivation of plants using the plant plugs.

A nutrient medium for the cultivation of plants, containing (a) 3 g/l to 18 g/l agar and (b) 0.5 g/l to 3 g/l carrageenan, as well as plant plugs which contain such a nutrient medium, a method for the production of the plant plugs, and a method for the automated or semi-automated cultivation of plants using the plant plugs.

A coherent growth substrate product formed of man-made vitreous fibres (MMVF) bonded with a cured binder composition and a wetting agent is described, wherein the binder composition prior to curing comprises the following components: a component (i) in the form of one or more compounds selected from compounds of the formula (I), and any salts thereof: in which R1 corresponds to H, alkyl, monohydroxyalkyl, dihydroxyalkyl, polyhydroxyalkyl, alkylene, alkoxy, amine; compounds of the formula (II), and any salts thereof: in which R2 corresponds to H, alkyl, monohydroxyalkyl, dihydroxyalkyl, polyhydroxyalkyl, alkylene, alkoxy, amine; a component (ii) in the form of one or more compounds selected from the group of ammonia, amines or any salts thereof; a component (iii) in the form of one or more carbohydrates. Use of said coherent growth substrate product for growing plants and propagating seeds is also disclosed. In addition, a process for making said coherent growth substrate product is disclosed.

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A coherent growth substrate product formed of man-made vitreous fibres (MMVF) bonded with a cured binder composition and a wetting agent is described, wherein the binder composition prior to curing comprises the following components: a component (i) in the form of one or more compounds selected from compounds of the formula (I), and any salts thereof: in which R1 corresponds to H, alkyl, monohydroxyalkyl, dihydroxyalkyl, polyhydroxyalkyl, alkylene, alkoxy, amine; compounds of the formula (II), and any salts thereof: in which R2 corresponds to H, alkyl, monohydroxyalkyl, dihydroxyalkyl, polyhydroxyalkyl, alkylene, alkoxy, amine; a component (ii) in the form of one or more compounds selected from the group of ammonia, amines or any salts thereof; a component (iii) in the form of one or more carbohydrates. Use of said coherent growth substrate product for growing plants and propagating seeds is also disclosed. In addition, a process for making said coherent growth substrate product is disclosed.

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