A cellulose sponge was developed with sustainability, food safety, high porosity with large pores, high water retention, durability, low density, and malleability. The cellulose sponge is formed by one or more cellulose derivatives cross-linked with citric acid. The sponge may be highly porous such that the sponge is configured to be suitable for supporting plant growth. A method for forming this cellulose sponge may comprise providing one or more cellulose derivatives and citric acid, dissolving the citric acid in water to create a citric acid solution, adding the one or more cellulose derivatives into the citric acid solution while stirring such that no clumps are formed to create a cellulose-citric acid solution, removing the water from the cellulose-citric acid solution, and cross-linking the cellulose-citric acid solution to create the sponge.

The present disclosure provides novel methods and compositions for the maturation and regeneration of plantlets from microspore-derived embryos. The compositions provided 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 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 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 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 cultivation member including an insertion part that forms a storage structure including a flexible water-shielding film and is inserted into the inside of a planting furrow in a cultivating place. The insertion part of the cultivation member forms a storage structure, at least a part of the storage structure is surrounded by a wall and has a non-planar bottom region. By having a part of the wall of the storage structure in an open state, or by having a sliding mechanism on a part of the wall, it is possible to deform the shape of at least the upper part of the external shape defined by the storage structure. An array of a plurality of water penetration channels is in the bottom region of the storage structure. Cultivating soil is filled inside the insertion part, and a plant is planted in the cultivating soil.

A cultivation member including an insertion part that forms a storage structure including a flexible water-shielding film and is inserted into the inside of a planting furrow in a cultivating place. The insertion part of the cultivation member forms a storage structure, at least a part of the storage structure is surrounded by a wall and has a non-planar bottom region. By having a part of the wall of the storage structure in an open state, or by having a sliding mechanism on a part of the wall, it is possible to deform the shape of at least the upper part of the external shape defined by the storage structure. An array of a plurality of water penetration channels is in the bottom region of the storage structure. Cultivating soil is filled inside the insertion part, and a plant is planted in the cultivating soil.

Described herein are a protective plant barrier and soil enhancer, and methods for making same, that surrounds and protects seeds, seedlings, and growing/grown plants from insect pests while also providing enhancements to the soil to improve plant growth.

Described herein are a protective plant barrier and soil enhancer, and methods for making same, that surrounds and protects seeds, seedlings, and growing/grown plants from insect pests while also providing enhancements to the soil to improve plant growth.

The present application relates to a system for retaining water and providing nutrients to plantlets, comprising: (a) a first surface that is concaved, an opening, and an exterior wall extending between the first surface and the opening; (b) an interior cavity defined by an interior surface of the exterior wall, a second surface, and an opening that is opposite the second surface; and (c) a channel extending through the first surface and the second surface, the channel comprising a first end and a second end, the channel in fluid communication with the interior cavity, the first end being distal to the interior cavity and the second end being proximal to the interior cavity. The system can be constructed of a first organic material, a binding material and a buffering material. In some instances, the system further comprises one or more modules spatially disposed within the interior cavity.

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 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.