A composition and method for making microalgae pre-charged biochar for use in soil is disclosed. The composition comprises raw biochar and a liquid microalgae composition, wherein the liquid microalgae composition comprises dead pasteurized Chlorella microalgae cells and nutrients that are beneficial to the soil; such as nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, sulfur, and sodium. The raw biochar and liquid microalgae composition are combined to create a pre-charging mixture, which is then incubated for between 12-24 hours, and dried. The pre-charged biochar is then buried within the vicinity of a fruiting plant, seedling, or seed; between approximately 2-6 deep within the soil.

The invention provides preparation of a selenium-water-soluble high-molecular polysaccharide hydrogel and use thereof. The preparation method includes: (1) water solution of polysaccharide and seleno-compound was prepared by heating the mixture with stirring; and (2) the solution was cooled with standing within shaped container to obtain the selenium-polysaccharide composite hydrogel. Plant seeds are sown on the surface of the composite hydrogel and cultivated to obtain selenium-rich plants. Shape-controllable hydrogel could be prepared by recycled hydrogel through high-temperature dissolution followed with cooling to realize the effective utilization of selenium in the hydrogel. Compared with the traditional selenium enrichment method, current method showed advances in prevent of selenium pollution, which normally caused by the application of selenium fertilizers.

The invention provides preparation of a selenium-water-soluble high-molecular polysaccharide hydrogel and use thereof. The preparation method includes: (1) water solution of polysaccharide and seleno-compound was prepared by heating the mixture with stirring; and (2) the solution was cooled with standing within shaped container to obtain the selenium-polysaccharide composite hydrogel. Plant seeds are sown on the surface of the composite hydrogel and cultivated to obtain selenium-rich plants. Shape-controllable hydrogel could be prepared by recycled hydrogel through high-temperature dissolution followed with cooling to realize the effective utilization of selenium in the hydrogel. Compared with the traditional selenium enrichment method, current method showed advances in prevent of selenium pollution, which normally caused by the application of selenium fertilizers.

The invention provides a callus induction medium for blueberry tissue culture, taking woody plant medium (WPM) as a basic medium, and including: 0.5-5.0 mg/L forchlorfenuron (CPPU) and 0.1-0.4 mg/L 2-isopentenyladenine (2-ip). The present invention also provides a callus culture method for blueberry, including inoculating the blueberry explant into the above callus induction medium to conduct induction culture in order to form blueberry callus. The present invention also discloses the medium combination and culture method to culture the above blueberry callus to blueberry tissue culture plant. For the above medium and culture method, the differentiation effect is good, efficiency is high, one can conduct continuous differentiation, and the effect is better on multiple varieties.

The invention provides a callus induction medium for blueberry tissue culture, taking woody plant medium (WPM) as a basic medium, and including: 0.5-5.0 mg/L forchlorfenuron (CPPU) and 0.1-0.4 mg/L 2-isopentenyladenine (2-ip). The present invention also provides a callus culture method for blueberry, including inoculating the blueberry explant into the above callus induction medium to conduct induction culture in order to form blueberry callus. The present invention also discloses the medium combination and culture method to culture the above blueberry callus to blueberry tissue culture plant. For the above medium and culture method, the differentiation effect is good, efficiency is high, one can conduct continuous differentiation, and the effect is better on multiple varieties.

The present disclosure provides novel methods and compositions for the maturation and regeneration of plantlets from microspore-derived embryos. The compositions provided herein include a liquid maturation composition comprising a first plant hormone and about 430 mM to about 880 mM of a monosaccharide solute, a disaccharide solute, or a polysaccharide solute. The methods provided herein include the steps of contacting a microspore-derived embryo with a liquid maturation medium for a time period sufficient to produce a matured microspore-derived embryo, transferring the matured microspore-derived embryo to a substrate, and regenerating the plantlet from the matured microspore-derived embryo.

The present disclosure provides novel methods and compositions for the maturation and regeneration of plantlets from microspore-derived embryos. The compositions provided herein include a liquid maturation composition comprising a first plant hormone and about 430 mM to about 880 mM of a monosaccharide solute, a disaccharide solute, or a polysaccharide solute. The methods provided herein include the steps of contacting a microspore-derived embryo with a liquid maturation medium for a time period sufficient to produce a matured microspore-derived embryo, transferring the matured microspore-derived embryo to a substrate, and regenerating the plantlet from the matured microspore-derived embryo.

A mechanically resilient variety of Rushia lineolata is presented, particularly in combination with a conditioned growth medium. In preferred aspects, the variety is clonally selected for a small growth profile and mechanical resiliency to resist damage from foot traffic, and the growth medium includes a porous low-density glass component, an acidic organic absorbent component, and a microbial organic component to enhance the desired properties.

Some variations provide a biomedia composition comprising: from 50 wt % to 75 wt % total carbon, on a dry basis, according to ASTM D5373, wherein the total carbon is renewable according to ASTM D6866 (.sup.14C/.sup.12C isotopic ratio); from 20 wt % to 40 wt % oxygen, on a dry basis, according ASTM D5373; from 3 wt % to 10 wt % hydrogen, on a dry basis, according to ASTM D5373; and from 0.1 wt % to 2 wt % nitrogen, on a dry basis, according to ASTM D5373, wherein the biomedia composition is characterized by volatile-matter content from 50 wt % to 75 wt %, according to ASTM D3175; wherein the biomedia composition is characterized by ash content from 1 wt % to 25 wt %, according to ASTM D3174; and wherein the biomedia composition is characterized by moisture content from 0 to 75 wt %, according to ASTM D3173. Processes are also described to make and use the biomedia compositions.

Some variations provide a biomedia composition comprising: from 50 wt % to 75 wt % total carbon, on a dry basis, according to ASTM D5373, wherein the total carbon is renewable according to ASTM D6866 (.sup.14C/.sup.12C isotopic ratio); from 20 wt % to 40 wt % oxygen, on a dry basis, according ASTM D5373; from 3 wt % to 10 wt % hydrogen, on a dry basis, according to ASTM D5373; and from 0.1 wt % to 2 wt % nitrogen, on a dry basis, according to ASTM D5373, wherein the biomedia composition is characterized by volatile-matter content from 50 wt % to 75 wt %, according to ASTM D3175; wherein the biomedia composition is characterized by ash content from 1 wt % to 25 wt %, according to ASTM D3174; and wherein the biomedia composition is characterized by moisture content from 0 to 75 wt %, according to ASTM D3173. Processes are also described to make and use the biomedia compositions.