Certain exemplary embodiments can provide a system comprising a plurality of trays, at least one retention layer configured to absorb at least a portion of water that falls upon the plurality of trays, and/or a drainage layer configured to allow the water to drain out of the at least one retention layer.

Hydrogel-forming components may be applied to soil in dry or wet formulations. After migrating to a targeted area, such as a root zone of a plant, particularly turfgrass, and after a triggering event such as a change in concentration, the hydrogel-forming components form a hydrogel in situ in the targeted area. The compositions and methods of the disclosure advantageously allow for direct application of hydrogel-forming components using existing equipment (such as, for example, sprayers) without tilling or disrupting the plants to which the compositions are applied. Hydrogel-forming components comprise one or more backbones, one or more crosslinkers, and, optionally, one or more adjuvants.

Hydrogel-forming components may be applied to soil in dry or wet formulations. After migrating to a targeted area, such as a root zone of a plant, particularly turfgrass, and after a triggering event such as a change in concentration, the hydrogel-forming components form a hydrogel in situ in the targeted area. The compositions and methods of the disclosure advantageously allow for direct application of hydrogel-forming components using existing equipment (such as, for example, sprayers) without tilling or disrupting the plants to which the compositions are applied. Hydrogel-forming components comprise one or more backbones, one or more crosslinkers, and, optionally, one or more adjuvants.

A hydrogel includes a cross-linked polymer selected from the group consisting of polyacrylic acid, polyacrylamide and combinations thereof, the hydrogel including cross-links selected from residues of at least one difunctional acrylic material selected from the group consisting of N,N-methylene bis acrylamide (MBA), N,N-methylene bis acrylamide (TTEGDA) and combinations thereof. Further provided are methods of growing a plant using the hydrogel as a substrate.

A hydrogel includes a cross-linked polymer selected from the group consisting of polyacrylic acid, polyacrylamide and combinations thereof, the hydrogel including cross-links selected from residues of at least one difunctional acrylic material selected from the group consisting of N,N-methylene bis acrylamide (MBA), N,N-methylene bis acrylamide (TTEGDA) and combinations thereof. Further provided are methods of growing a plant using the hydrogel as a substrate.

A mineral wool batt for use as a plant growth medium, particularly in applications for growing vegetation (including plants) in which water retention and/or the avoidance of water run-off is of interest. The mineral wool batt has an absorbent layer which comprises needled mineral wool fibres; superabsorbent particles in the absorbent layer may be sandwiched between a denser upper and/or lower barrier layer(s) which assist in preventing their escape.

Provided is a method of delivering water to a root system of a crop, the method including causing the crop to be adjacent to, or in a region of, soil containing hydrogel, and delivering air to the hydrogel.

A method of cultivating plant in transparent sealed container and base used therefor, wherein the base is mainly obtained by solidifying a mixture formed by adding gellan gum to transparent nutritional liquid; the gellan gum being added to the nutritional liquid is in an amount of 2-10 g/L; the base has a PH value of 3.5-10.0. The use of gellan gum as the sole transparent solidifying agent ensures the gellan gum, the base of the present invention is capable of adhering securely in the transparent sealed container. As shown by experiments, the base of the present invention will not slide or disperse in the transparent sealed container under normal shaking state, and can remain adhered to the transparent sealed container for 3-10 minutes when the transparent sealed container is turned upside down.

A method of cultivating plant in transparent sealed container and base used therefor, wherein the base is mainly obtained by solidifying a mixture formed by adding gellan gum to transparent nutritional liquid; the gellan gum being added to the nutritional liquid is in an amount of 2-10 g/L; the base has a PH value of 3.5-10.0. The use of gellan gum as the sole transparent solidifying agent ensures the gellan gum, the base of the present invention is capable of adhering securely in the transparent sealed container. As shown by experiments, the base of the present invention will not slide or disperse in the transparent sealed container under normal shaking state, and can remain adhered to the transparent sealed container for 3-10 minutes when the transparent sealed container is turned upside down.

Water purification particles have porous particles and photocatalyst particles formed of titanium-based compound particles that are supported on the porous particles, have absorption at a wavelength of 500 nm in a visible absorption spectrum, and have an absorption peak at 2,700 cm.sup.1 to 3,000 cm.sup.1 in an infrared absorption spectrum, and a metal compound having a metal atom and a hydrocarbon group is bonded to the surface of each of the titanium-based compound particles through an oxygen atom.