The present invention relates to a plant biotic agent phenotyping platform comprising a container hermetically sealed with a lid delimiting an internal space divided into two spaces: -a lower internal space which comprises at least one temperature control means immersed in a temperature transfer liquid; and -an upper internal space, the surface of the temperature transfer liquid being the border between the lower internal space and the upper internal space; the lid comprising at least one orifice which is adapted to fit a pot and at least one pot whose bottom part is contained in the upper internal space and which is adapted to receive plant seeds and soil parasite and to enable development of such soil parasites and plants. The invention also related to the use of this platform for screening plant resistance or tolerance to soil parasite.

A greenhouse, for cold weather climates, is configured with a gable that is offset toward the north wall and therefore the south extension of the roof, from the gable to the south wall is longer than the north extension. A greater amount of light can enter through this south extension and the inside surface of the north wall is configured with a reflective surface to allow light to be more uniformly distributed around the plants. The north wall may have no widows and may be thermally insulated to prevent the greenhouse from getting too cold during the night. A ground to air heat transfer (GAHT) system may be configured to produce a flow of greenhouse air under the greenhouse for heat transfer, to moderate the temperature of the greenhouse. A thermal medium may flow to a thermal reservoir for heat exchange with the conduits of the GAHT system.

A device for promoting root function of a plant may include a first container configured to retain a root growing medium; a second container below the first container, wherein the second container is configured to store a liquid; an insulated enclosure surrounding the first container and the second container and including an opening above the first container that is sized so that the plant may grow through the opening; a pump configured to transport the liquid from the second container to the first container; a heater within the insulated enclosure; and a flow path from the first container to the second container that allows the liquid to flow from the first container to the second container after the liquid is transported to the first container.

A building includes at least one structural member. The structural member includes a light-receiving surface that is formed by extrusion or casting of a metal and is irradiated with sunlight, a structural member main body in which a hollow portion extending from a first end portion toward a second end portion is formed, a pair of lid portions that are respectively disposed at the first end portion and the second end portion, and close the hollow portion, an inlet that is provided in any one of the pair of lid portions and through which a heating medium flows into the hollow portion, and an outlet that is provided in any one of the pair of lid portions and through which the heating medium flows out from the hollow portion.

The present invention relates to a solar system (1) comprising: a solar shade (3) configured to be arranged in a crop area (5), said solar shade (3) comprising at least one solar panel (7) designed to generate energy, a storage unit (9a, 9b) for the energy generated by the solar panel (7).

A greenhouse, for cold weather climates, is configured with a gable that is offset toward the north wall and therefore the south extension of the roof, from the gable to the south wall is longer than the north extension. A greater amount of light can enter through this south extension and the inside surface of the north wall is configured with a reflective surface to allow light to be more uniformly distributed around the plants. The north wall may have no widows and may be thermally insulated to prevent the greenhouse from getting too cold during the night. A ground to air heat transfer (GAHT) system may be configured to produce a flow of greenhouse air under the greenhouse for heat transfer, to moderate the temperature of the greenhouse. A thermal medium may flow to a thermal reservoir for heat exchange with the conduits of the GAHT system.

Facades, roofs, and greenhouses that may capable of self-cooling are provided. For example, a fa?ade for a greenhouse may include an internal glass wall and an external glass wall in a parallel plane to the internal glass wall and separated from the internal glass wall by a first distance. The distance may be configured to permit passage of a heat transfer liquid. The internal glass wall can include a first face, facing the external glass wall. The first face of the internal glass wall can include a reflective surface configured to reflect solar radiation into the heat transfer liquid when in operation.

A multi-source ground-to-air heat transfer system is configured to store thermal energy during a cooling/dehumidifcation mode of operation for future use during a heating mode of operation. The multi-source ground-to-air heat transfer system utilizes a ground loop that is configured under an enclosure, such as a greenhouse, and is in thermal communication with a thermal reservoir medium to conduct and store heat. A thermal exchange fluid is pumped through the ground loop and ground heat exchanger and may receive heat from a condenser during a cooling/dehumidification mode of operation and may liberate heat to the evaporator during a heating mode. The enclosure air may receive heat from the heat pump during a heating mode and may liberate heat to the evaporator during a cooling/dehumidification mode. The heat exchange system may employ a heat pump having a reversing valve to change the mode of operation.

A method for utilizing heat in a plant or animal growing device includes circulating a heat transfer fluid through a circuit forming a closed fluid loop, heating the heat transfer fluid by a heat source, supplying heat from the heat transfer fluid to a first heat user which may be a thermal desalination unit, and returning at least part of the heat transfer fluid that has been cooled down. The heat transfer fluid supplies heat to at least one additional heat user serially arranged before or after the thermal desalination unit. The temperature ranges of the heat transfer fluid are within the optimal operating temperature ranges of the respective heat users in the fluid circuit. A corresponding system and greenhouse by which the method of the invention may be implemented is also described.

A method for utilizing heat in a plant or animal growing device includes circulating a heat transfer fluid through a circuit forming a closed fluid loop, heating, via a heat source, the heat transfer fluid in the fluid circuit to a temperature within an efficient operating range of a first heat unit, supplying heat from the heat transfer fluid to a first heat unit, the first heat unit cooling down at least part of the heat transfer fluid to a temperature within an efficient operating range of at least one additional heat unit connected in serial arrangement with the heat source and the first heat unit, supplying heat from the heat transfer fluid from the first heat unit to the additional heat unit, the additional heat unit cooling down at least part of the heat transfer fluid, and returning the cooled down part of the heat transfer fluid from the additional heat unit to the heat source in the fluid circuit.