Embodiments of the present disclosure generally relate to compositions and methods for enhancing or accelerating plant growth and/or plant productivity. In certain embodiments, compositions and methods disclosed herein concern enhancing growth of terrestrial crops using compositions containing liquid media or growth substrate conditioned by a submersible plant. Other embodiments relate to formulations combining PGPB and various agents that activate and/or promote adhesion of the PGPB to subject plants to improve growth. Still other embodiments relate to improved methods for applying the compositions and formulations disclosed herein to various terrestrial plants.

A method is provided for applying porous carbonaceous particles to soil for purpose of cultivating plants having roots, where at least 95% of the porous carbonaceous particles have a particle size less than or equal to 10 mm. The method incorporates the porous carbonaceous particles into the soil surrounding the plant roots at a depth of between 0-24 inches from the soil surface, where the porous carbonaceous particles are positioned in the area surrounding the roots of the plants at a ratio of between 1:999 to 1:1 porous carbonaceous particles to soil.

A method for capturing material extracted from biochar is provided comprising the steps of: (i) providing a biochar; (ii) contacting the biochar with an extraction media, where the extraction media causes the removal of residual compounds from the pores and surface of the biochar, creating a resulting extract comprised of the extraction media and removed compounds; and (iii) collecting the resulting extract. The method also can include other steps of extraction and purification. The method further comprises the step of applying the resulting extract to seeds, plants, soil, other agricultural products, or for use in other applications. A biochar having high levels of soluble signaling compounds is also provided, where the biochar is derived from a biomass source that together with predefined pyrolysis parameters produces resulting biochar having increased levels of soluble signaling compounds that are known to increase seed germination rates and early plant growth. Such soluble signaling compounds can then be collected in a biochar extract by contacting the biochar with an extraction media.

A method to reduce the amount of irrigation water wherein the device is made of combusted product in cylinder shape (the device) made of biomass at 4 cm./6 cm./8 cm. diameter to be inserted in various depths, sizes/length under the source of water irrigation in proximity to tree or plant and in different numbers according to the season. The device has ability to absorb and store irrigation water in high capacity up to 300% in higher quantity than soil ground making it as sustainable source to supply the roots of a tree or plant by water in areas which suffer from shortfall of rain, with poor type of soil and depletion of underground water reservoir. The device will absorb water and make the surrounding soil constantly moisture and wet by allowing diffusion of water from device.

A slow release carbohydrate/bicarbonate/nitrogen fertilizer which includes: a nitrogen component selected from the group consisting of a urea compound, ammonium bicarbonate, ammonium sulfate and ammonium nitrate; a bicarbonate component selected from the group consisting of ammonium bicarbonate, potassium bicarbonate and sodium bicarbonate; and a soluble carbohydrate component selected from the group consisting of a starch and a sugar, wherein the fertilizer is applied to increase crop yield and increase protein levels in plant products by placing the aforesaid fertilizer beneath the surface of soil on which is growing cultivated plants.

Biochars and methods for producing biochar aggregate particles where the method for producing the aggregate particles comprise the steps of (i) producing or collecting biochar fines; (ii) adding a binding agent to the biochar fines; and (iii) forming the biochar fines and binding agent into solid aggregate particles.

Biochar is provided that is treated to have certain chemical and physical properties found to have the highest impact on plant growth and/or soil health. In particular, the following physical and/or chemical properties, among others, of a biochar have been identified as critical properties to control for in the selection of biomass feedstock, pyrolysis conditions, and/or enhancing treatment to increase biochar performance: (i) bulk density (ii) impregnation capacity; (iii) particle size distribution; (iv) solid particle density; (v) surface area; (vi) porosity; (vii) total porosity; (viii) ratio of macroporosity to total porosity (ix) content of residual organic compounds; (x) content of volatile organic compounds; (xii) ash content; (xiii) water holding capacity; (xiv) water retention capabilities; (xv) levels of dioxins and other potentially hazardous byproducts of pyrolysis; and (xvi) pH. Treatment can modify and preferably increase hydrophilicity/decrease hydrophobicity, remove dioxins from the raw biochar, modify electrical conductivity and/or surface charge, modify cation exchange capacity and modify anion exchange capacity, among other things.

A method for the production of an agent for enhancing soil growth is described, comprising: grinding a biomass feedstock to produce ground biomass particles; subjecting the ground biomass particles to a biofractioning process including an auger reactor; selectively collecting at least one volatile component as it is released from the ground biomass particles; collecting a last remaining nonvolatile component comprising BMF char; rendering a surface of the BMF char hydrophilic; exposing the BMF char to microorganisms; and adding the BMF char to soil.

A method for capturing material extracted from biochar, the method comprising the steps of: (i) providing a biochar; (ii) contacting the biochar with a treating liquid, where the treating liquid causes the removal of solids from the pores and surface of the biochar, thereby creating a resulting solution or extract comprised of the treating liquid and removed solids; and (iii) collecting the resulting solution or extract. The method further comprises the step of apply the resulting solution or extract to soil or for use in other applications.

A growing medium comprising fibrous tree bark and fibrous wood components, wherein the fibers of the growing medium have an average length to width ratio, such that the growing medium has a dry bulk density of about 60 kg/m.sup.3 or lower and wet bulk density of about 120 kg/m.sup.3 or lower.