An iron-ion supply material capable of efficiently supplying iron ions to plants is provided. An iron-ion supply material that acts as an iron-ion supply source for supplying iron ions contributing to plant growth comprises an iron powder having an iron content of 80% by mass or more, wherein 50% by mass or more of the whole iron powder has a particle size of 100 m or more and 10 mm or less.

An iron-ion supply material capable of efficiently supplying iron ions to plants is provided. An iron-ion supply material that acts as an iron-ion supply source for supplying iron ions contributing to plant growth comprises an iron powder having an iron content of 80% by mass or more, wherein 50% by mass or more of the whole iron powder has a particle size of 100 m or more and 10 mm or less.

Provided herein are methodology and composition for use of any nut (such as almond, walnut, or pistachio) or legume (peanut) shell and/or husk material in a growing substrate, with or without other components such as peat, perlite, or coir; for plant growth, whether it be used in its whole form or some reduced form such as, having been chipped or ground, and whether composted or not.

Provided herein are methodology and composition for use of any nut (such as almond, walnut, or pistachio) or legume (peanut) shell and/or husk material in a growing substrate, with or without other components such as peat, perlite, or coir; for plant growth, whether it be used in its whole form or some reduced form such as, having been chipped or ground, and whether composted or not.

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.

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.

Disclosed are a plant propagation pod, and an associated support structure, for growing a plant in the sea. The present invention also relates to associated assemblies and methods.

Disclosed are a plant propagation pod, and an associated support structure, for growing a plant in the sea. The present invention also relates to associated assemblies and methods.

Transformed plants are disclosed with enhanced resistance to abiotic stresses, such as salt stress, water stress, or temperature stress. Also disclosed are vectors useful for making such transformed plants, and methods of transforming plants to enhance resistance to abiotic stresses, such as salt stress, water stress, or temperature stress. For example, the Spartina alterniflora ADF gene SaADF2 enhances resistance when transformed into rice Oryza sativa. Transgenic rice plants that expressed higher levels of Spartina ADF were more resistant to salt, drought, and cold. There was improved growth, higher photosynthesis, and increased grain yield as compared to wild-type (WT) rice.

The present invention relates to the field of environmental protection, and in particular to a leaf surface barrier for accurately controlling cadmium absorption and transport related gene expression in rice, and an application thereof. The present invention comprises: reducing a raw material, i.e., selenious acid or selenite, by using ascorbic acid to generate a nanogel, and then emulsifying the nanogel for peptization to obtain a leaf surface barrier for accurately controlling cadmium absorption and transport related gene expression in rice; and then mixing the leaf surface barrier with a silica sol to obtain a composite selenium and silica sol leaf surface barrier. The present invention also provides a leaf surface barricading method for accurately controlling cadmium absorption and transport related gene expression in rice. By applying the leaf surface barrier, the silica sol or the composite selenium and silica sol leaf surface barrier having a particular atomization degree and a particular concentration by means of foliar spray during a particular growth period of rice and within a particular time, the cadmium accumulation in rice can be effectively reduced. Applying the present invention to a moderately or lightly polluted field can enable cadmium content in rice to satisfy the food hygiene standards, and therefore is significant for achieving the safe use of the large area of field polluted by heavy metal cadmium in China.