A method for stimulating plant disease-suppressive activity, such as soiland seed-borne fungal diseasesand saprophytic molds-suppressive activity, in Sphagnum moss biomass is provided. In the method freshly harvested and/or air-dried Sphagnum biomass is heat treated, thereupon a flow of air heated to a temperature within a range of 50-80 C. is conveyed thereto during a predetermined period of time. Sphagnum biomass is preferably selected from naturally occurring Sphagnum species, in particular, Sphagnum fuscum. A plant disease-suppressive growing medium and uses thereof are further provided.

A method for making a growing medium includes a step of combining tree bark and/or wood components together to form an initial composition; heating the initial composition to a temperature greater than about 149 C. under steam in a pressurized vessel; processing the initial composition through a refiner with a plurality of opposing disks to obtain the fibrous growing medium, the refiner separating fibers from each other; wherein the growing medium has total porosity of 88 volume % or more.

The invention relates to a container carrying a rooted plant having a root structure. The container further contains an amount of hydrogel such that at least a portion of the root structure or at least a portion of a substrate penetrated by the root structure is submerged into the hydrogel. Preferably, a bottom of the substrate penetrated by the root structure is dipped into the amount of hydrogel.

The invention relates to a container carrying a rooted plant having a root structure. The container further contains an amount of hydrogel such that at least a portion of the root structure or at least a portion of a substrate penetrated by the root structure is submerged into the hydrogel. Preferably, a bottom of the substrate penetrated by the root structure is dipped into the amount of hydrogel.

The present invention is directed to a culture medium comprising a soilless substrate, microfibrillated cellulose and a hydrophilic or amphiphilic polymer. The present invention is particularly useful in soilless agriculture, such as for horticultural/agricultural use that is based on a soilless substrate such as mineral or glass wool. These types of culture media are often used in greenhouses but may also be used for outdoor horticulture or agriculture.

The present invention is directed to a culture medium comprising a soilless substrate, microfibrillated cellulose and a hydrophilic or amphiphilic polymer. The present invention is particularly useful in soilless agriculture, such as for horticultural/agricultural use that is based on a soilless substrate such as mineral or glass wool. These types of culture media are often used in greenhouses but may also be used for outdoor horticulture or agriculture.

Disclosed herein are processes for direct seeding of guayule seeds into a field and fields produced by the processes.

Disclosed herein are processes for direct seeding of guayule seeds into a field and fields produced by the processes.

A method for making a growing medium includes a step of combining tree bark and/or wood components together to form an initial composition; heating the initial composition to a temperature greater than about 149 C. under steam in a pressurized vessel; processing the initial composition through a refiner with a plurality of opposing disks to obtain the fibrous growing medium, the refiner separating fibers from each other; wherein the growing medium has total porosity of 88 volume % or more.

A growing medium comprising fibrous tree bark and fibrous wood components, wherein the fibers of the growing medium have an average length to width ratio, such that the growing medium has a dry bulk density of about 60 kg/m.sup.3 or lower and wet bulk density of about 120 kg/m.sup.3 or lower.