The described invention is directed to hydrogel-based transparent soils that can provide heterogeneous, aeration, and porous condition for plant growth. The hydrogel beads are highly tailorable in size and porosity providing an environment that is closer to natural soil. Index-matching allows the beads to appear transparent, facilitating the use of imaging and microscopy of the plant root system in vivo.

The described invention is directed to hydrogel-based transparent soils that can provide heterogeneous, aeration, and porous condition for plant growth. The hydrogel beads are highly tailorable in size and porosity providing an environment that is closer to natural soil. Index-matching allows the beads to appear transparent, facilitating the use of imaging and microscopy of the plant root system in vivo.

A method is provided for preparing a water-insoluble lignosulfonate polymer from a first solution containing lignosulfonate precursors, which involves a) separating the lignosulfonate precursors from the first solution and providing a second solution with at least 5 wt % of lignosulfonate precursors obtained from the first solution, wherein the separating comprises filtering out components with a predefined particle diameter and separating low-molecular weight components including salts and low-molecular organic compounds, b) adding a radical-forming enzyme and gas to the second solution, wherein the gas comprises oxygen, and c) polymerizing the lignosulfonate precursors of the resultant solution of b).

Other related aspects are described and claimed.

A method is provided for preparing a water-insoluble lignosulfonate polymer from a first solution containing lignosulfonate precursors, which involves a) separating the lignosulfonate precursors from the first solution and providing a second solution with at least 5 wt % of lignosulfonate precursors obtained from the first solution, wherein the separating comprises filtering out components with a predefined particle diameter and separating low-molecular weight components including salts and low-molecular organic compounds, b) adding a radical-forming enzyme and gas to the second solution, wherein the gas comprises oxygen, and c) polymerizing the lignosulfonate precursors of the resultant solution of b).

Other related aspects are described and claimed.

The medium for plant cultivation according to the present invention includes a bag body, and a crushed material obtained by crushing a foam body made of an aliphatic polyester-based resin and packed in the bag body in a compressed state, and in the medium a ratio of the bulk density of the crushed material after being packed in the bag body to the bulk density of the crushed material before being packed in the bag body is larger than 1 and 2 or less.

The medium for plant cultivation according to the present invention includes a bag body, and a crushed material obtained by crushing a foam body made of an aliphatic polyester-based resin and packed in the bag body in a compressed state, and in the medium a ratio of the bulk density of the crushed material after being packed in the bag body to the bulk density of the crushed material before being packed in the bag body is larger than 1 and 2 or less.

Various disclosed examples relate to a growth medium including expanded polymer particulates, as well as a growth environment including the growth medium, a container housing a nutrient solution and a plant such that roots of the plant are received in the growth medium. Associated methods of preparing the growth medium are also contemplated, including sterilization of the growth medium and preparation of the growth medium with a growth promoting agent.

Various disclosed examples relate to a growth medium including expanded polymer particulates, as well as a growth environment including the growth medium, a container housing a nutrient solution and a plant such that roots of the plant are received in the growth medium. Associated methods of preparing the growth medium are also contemplated, including sterilization of the growth medium and preparation of the growth medium with a growth promoting agent.

The invention relates to a coherent propagation growth substrate product (1) formed of man-made vitreous fibres (MMVF), the product (1) having two opposed top and bottom surfaces and at least one cavity (2) which is open at the top surface and which extends from the top surface towards the bottom surface, wherein a superabsorbent polymer (3) is provided in the cavity (2).

The invention relates to a coherent propagation growth substrate product (1) formed of man-made vitreous fibres (MMVF), the product (1) having two opposed top and bottom surfaces and at least one cavity (2) which is open at the top surface and which extends from the top surface towards the bottom surface, wherein a superabsorbent polymer (3) is provided in the cavity (2).