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.

A method is disclosed of in-situ retention and buffering of an amount of water in soil to support the growth of an agricultural crop. The method comprises the step of adding an effective amount of a hydrogel material as a water retention agent during planting of seed in the soil. The hydrogel material including an insoluble, cross-linked carboxymethyl cellulose. Once penetration of water into the soil is allowed after the planting of seed, a proportion of the water which penetrates the soil is absorbed by the hydrogel material and, over time, the absorbed water is released by diffusion into the soil to support the growth of the agricultural crop. Also disclosed is the hydrogel material which comprises said carboxymethyl cellulose which has been cross-linked with a cross-linking polymer from the group consisting of: an amine monomer; an amide monomer; and an amine-amide co-polymer.

A method is disclosed of in-situ retention and buffering of an amount of water in soil to support the growth of an agricultural crop. The method comprises the step of adding an effective amount of a hydrogel material as a water retention agent during planting of seed in the soil. The hydrogel material including an insoluble, cross-linked carboxymethyl cellulose. Once penetration of water into the soil is allowed after the planting of seed, a proportion of the water which penetrates the soil is absorbed by the hydrogel material and, over time, the absorbed water is released by diffusion into the soil to support the growth of the agricultural crop. Also disclosed is the hydrogel material which comprises said carboxymethyl cellulose which has been cross-linked with a cross-linking polymer from the group consisting of: an amine monomer; an amide monomer; and an amine-amide co-polymer.

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.

Dry compositions for conditioning soil are provided that enhance plant growth by creating beneficial soil environments. The dry compositions include a superabsorbent polymer and a cellulosic fiber that includes at least one of hydroxyethylcellulose and methyl cellulose. In addition, methods are provided for improving soil condition by applying the compositions to soil. The compositions have improved handling properties, including flowability in commercial applications, relative to superabsorbent polymers alone. Surprisingly, the compositions can improve soil moisture retention, increase the uptake of nutrients by plants, reduce leaching of nutrients, pesticides, and microbes, and improve seedling ability to break through soil crusts as well or better than superabsorbent polymers alone.

Dry compositions for conditioning soil are provided that enhance plant growth by creating beneficial soil environments. The dry compositions include a superabsorbent polymer and a cellulosic fiber that includes at least one of hydroxyethylcellulose and methyl cellulose. In addition, methods are provided for improving soil condition by applying the compositions to soil. The compositions have improved handling properties, including flowability in commercial applications, relative to superabsorbent polymers alone. Surprisingly, the compositions can improve soil moisture retention, increase the uptake of nutrients by plants, reduce leaching of nutrients, pesticides, and microbes, and improve seedling ability to break through soil crusts as well or better than superabsorbent polymers alone.

The invention provides a process for the preparation of a seed support that comprises a biodegradable polymer film having a plurality of seeds at least partially embedded therein, the process comprising the steps of (a) providing a hydrophobic release liner (18); (b) applying a coating of an aqueous dispersion or solution comprising a biodegradable polymer on the hydrophobic release liner (18), wherein the dispersion or solution has a viscosity of from 2000 to 16000 mPa.Math.s and a water content of from 58% to 90% by weight of the coating; (c) depositing a plurality of seeds onto the coating so that the seeds become at least partially embedded in the coating; (d) drying the coating to give a final water content of 1.5% to 15% by weight and thereby form the biodegradable polymer film; and (e) detaching the hydrophobic release liner from the biodegradable polymer film to give the seed support.

A hydroponic electroculture system is disclosed for use in a hydroponic growing environment. In at least one embodiment, an at least one electroculture unit is positioned in fluid communication with the hydroponic growing environment and provides a conductive core comprising an absorbing layer sandwiched between a pair of opposing first and second conductive layers; each of the first and second conductive layers being in electrical communication with an at least one electrical wire. With the absorbing layer saturated with the fluid of the hydroponic growing environment, an electrical current is selectively delivered to each of the first and second conductive layers which, in turn, forms a reaction within the absorbing layer that causes an off-gassing of oxygen and hydrogen in the form of bubbles to be delivered, along with the electrical current in the fluid, to the roots of an at least one plant in the hydroponic growing environment.

One embodiment provides a modular green roof tray, house plant growth media and horticulture growth media, and a tree protection mat for weed and moisture control made from recycled disposable diapers. The growth medium and tree protection mat contain superabsorbent materials from diaper that can absorb waters and greatly reduce irrigation so to provide a drought resistant feature. One embodiment also provides a manufacturing process to perform 100% recycling of disposed diapers.