Cultivation systems including a cultivation substrate configured to retain and viably maintain spores and germinated spores are disclosed. The cultivation systems may include one or more of a nutrient phase, an adhesive, a bioactive agent, a liquid containing phase. The cultivation substrates may be patterned. The cultivation systems may specifically retain and viably retain specific spore types.

Cultivation systems including a cultivation substrate configured to retain and viably maintain spores and germinated spores are disclosed. The cultivation systems may include one or more of a nutrient phase, an adhesive, a bioactive agent, a liquid containing phase. The cultivation substrates may be patterned. The cultivation systems may specifically retain and viably retain specific spore types.

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).

A method and apparatus for cultivating vegetation at an arid location includes rooting immature vegetation in a mat combined with a super absorbent polymer (“SAP”) and, in embodiments, fertilizer, sand, and/or soil; placing the mat at the arid location; and covering the mat with a perforated, transparent or semi-transparent cover. Most or all of the apparatus can be biodegradable or removable, and the sand or soil can be similar to indigenous sand or soil. A water barrier can be placed below the mat. The cover can be placed on or suspended above the mat. SAP, seeds, and/or additional water barriers can be placed between mats in a stack. The opacity of the cover can be increased to emulate shade from natural vegetation. A water distribution system can be included for continued support of the vegetation, and can include a water reservoir and/or at least one solar still.

A polyvinyl alcohol-based crosslinked copolymer may include an unsaturated monocarboxylic acid-based structural unit, wherein an amount of carboxylate-forming structural units in the crosslinked copolymer is 1% by mole or more and 35% by mole or less with respect to all structural units constituting the crosslinked copolymer, and a solubility of the crosslinked copolymer in water is 90% or less.

A polyvinyl alcohol-based crosslinked copolymer may include an unsaturated monocarboxylic acid-based structural unit, wherein an amount of carboxylate-forming structural units in the crosslinked copolymer is 1% by mole or more and 35% by mole or less with respect to all structural units constituting the crosslinked copolymer, and a solubility of the crosslinked copolymer in water is 90% or less.

The present invention provides a slope repair method. The method includes pretreating a slope, so that an average roughness of the pretreated slope is not greater than ±8 cm to ±12 cm per linear meter; (2) hanging a hard protective mesh on the pretreated slope, where the distance between the hard protective mesh and the slope is 3-4 cm, and the hard protective mesh has an aperture size of 4-6 cm; and (3) spraying a loam-like matrix on the slope with the hard protective mesh hanged, where the loam-like matrix includes not less than 0.04/m.sup.2 of plant seeds; the plant seeds include tree seeds, shrub seeds and herb seeds with a mass ratio of (2.5-3.5):(4-6):(1.5-2.5). The method provided by the present invention effectively restores the mountain vegetation, and only needs 1-2 years of artificial maintenance after the restoration to form a cyclically stable ecosystem.

The present invention provides a slope repair method. The method includes pretreating a slope, so that an average roughness of the pretreated slope is not greater than ±8 cm to ±12 cm per linear meter; (2) hanging a hard protective mesh on the pretreated slope, where the distance between the hard protective mesh and the slope is 3-4 cm, and the hard protective mesh has an aperture size of 4-6 cm; and (3) spraying a loam-like matrix on the slope with the hard protective mesh hanged, where the loam-like matrix includes not less than 0.04/m.sup.2 of plant seeds; the plant seeds include tree seeds, shrub seeds and herb seeds with a mass ratio of (2.5-3.5):(4-6):(1.5-2.5). The method provided by the present invention effectively restores the mountain vegetation, and only needs 1-2 years of artificial maintenance after the restoration to form a cyclically stable ecosystem.

Novel autonomous self-watering containers for growing plants and soil and hydrogel mixture therefor. The novel self-watering containers are filled with the specific soil and hydrogel mixture and filled with water. The soil and hydrogel mixture absorbs the water and slowly releases it to water the plants planted in the mixture over the next several weeks, requiring no supervision, interaction, or maintenance with the container. The self-watering container and soil and hydrogel mixture save water and labor costs associated with the required frequent maintenance of current plant growing systems.