A seed ball for use in reforestation and horticulture, the seed ball comprising a seed encapsulated within a seed encapsulant, comprising soil, clay and biochar. Apparatus for making the seed ball include a roller mill and a press mill.

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 plant growth media composition, articles made therefrom, and methods of making and using the same are described. The plant growth media composition includes a combination of one or more plant growth substrate materials and an additive such as cellulose fibers, clay, carrageenan, alginate, chitosan, or combinations thereof.

A method for reducing salinity stress symptoms in a seed plant, comprising the step of adding carbon-based nanomaterials into a salinity growth medium in which the seed plant is cultivated, the salinity growth medium is in a salinity condition which causes the seed plant cultivated in the growth medium demonstrates the salinity stress symptom.

A biological microbial drug for treating skin diseases as well as a preparation method and application thereof. The biological microbial drug includes Pleurotus ostreatus cultivated in a medium added with a Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) combination, and the TCM combination includes Sangusis draconis, Astragalus membranaceus, Schisandra chinensis, Herba epimedii, Eucommia ulmoides, Chinese wolfberry and Cortex dictamni. The dry biological microbial drug can be brewed like tea or boiled with water, and is non-bitter, non-toxic, tasteless, free of side effects, green, natural, and suitable for the treatment of psoriasis, eczema, urticaria and neurodermatitis.

This disclosure provides systems, methods, and devices related to the study of ecological processes. In one aspect, a device includes a base, a substrate, and an enclosure. The substrate is in contact with a first surface of the base. The substrate and the base define a root chamber. The enclosure is in contact with a second surface of the base. The base and the enclosure define a growth chamber. The base defines a stem port connecting the root chamber and the growth chamber. The base further defines a first port in fluid communication with the root chamber and a second port in fluid communication with the root chamber. The device is operable to contain a plant, roots of the plant being in the root chamber, a stem of the plant passing through the stem port, and leaves of the plant being in the growth chamber.

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.

Provided is a cultivating material composition including a cultivating substrate and a bio-cellulose film, wherein the bio-cellulose film is in contact with the cultivating substrate, such that highly increased yield and quality of crops, a shorter harvest period, less water and nutrient sources, and low cost can be achieved.