A modular hydroponic tower array fixture system for the growth of organisms such as plants and fungi on arrays of hydroponic towers, allowing for the insertion and removal of individual towers from the array, is provided. Methods for the production of organisms such as plants and fungi using a modular hydroponic tower array fixture system are also provided herein.

In a method of coating a particulate material, a particulate material is fed into a mixing chamber. The particulate material is agitated within the mixing chamber and conveyed to a mixing chamber outlet. A coating is directed into the mixing chamber and the flow of the coating is controlled based on the volumetric flow rate of the particulate material into the mixing chamber. The coating includes at least one compound selected from herbicides, insecticides, nutrients, wetting agents, surfactants, fungicides, biologicals, inoculants, and mixtures thereof.

The present invention belongs to the technical field of landscape garden engineering, and specifically discloses a salt-isolated rain garden structure. The salt-isolated rain garden structure includes a depression surrounded by side slopes, where a 10 cm thick drainage layer, a 10-30 cm thick filler layer, a 5 cm thick transition layer, a 20-30 cm thick planting layer, a 0.2-0.5 cm thick mulch layer and a 15-20 cm thick ponding layer are stacked in order from the bottom of the depression to up; a salt barrier is disposed between the planting layer and the transition layer and/or between the drainage layer and a saline layer; a vertical overflow pipe and a horizontal drainage pipe are disposed at the bottom of the depression; the overflow pipe and drainage pipe are connected; the salt barrier is filled with river sand, zeolite or ceramsite and is 10-20 cm in thickness.

The present invention belongs to the technical field of landscape garden engineering, and specifically discloses a salt-isolated rain garden structure. The salt-isolated rain garden structure includes a depression surrounded by side slopes, where a 10 cm thick drainage layer, a 10-30 cm thick filler layer, a 5 cm thick transition layer, a 20-30 cm thick planting layer, a 0.2-0.5 cm thick mulch layer and a 15-20 cm thick ponding layer are stacked in order from the bottom of the depression to up; a salt barrier is disposed between the planting layer and the transition layer and/or between the drainage layer and a saline layer; a vertical overflow pipe and a horizontal drainage pipe are disposed at the bottom of the depression; the overflow pipe and drainage pipe are connected; the salt barrier is filled with river sand, zeolite or ceramsite and is 10-20 cm in thickness.

A modular hydroponic tower array fixture system for the growth of organisms such as plants and fungi on arrays of hydroponic towers, allowing for the insertion and removal of individual towers from the array, is provided. Methods for the production of organisms such as plants and fungi using a modular hydroponic tower array fixture system are also provided herein.

The multi-layered sand assembly comprising neat sand, super-hydrophilic and super-hydrophobic sands for feasible and sustainable desert agriculture is described. The ingredients such as PAM used in the super-hydrophilic sand layer and the PS-PMMA/DVB polymer for the super-hydrophobic layer are relatively less expensive and thus the overall development of the coated sand is economical and cost effective for the mass production of modified sand layers. The tandem action of high water absorption and retention over time by super-hydrophilic sand layer and high water repulsion to avoid water loss by super-hydrophobic sand of the proposed assembly would make the achievable agriculture in desert lands.

The multi-layered sand assembly comprising neat sand, super-hydrophilic and super-hydrophobic sands for feasible and sustainable desert agriculture is described. The ingredients such as PAM used in the super-hydrophilic sand layer and the PS-PMMA/DVB polymer for the super-hydrophobic layer are relatively less expensive and thus the overall development of the coated sand is economical and cost effective for the mass production of modified sand layers. The tandem action of high water absorption and retention over time by super-hydrophilic sand layer and high water repulsion to avoid water loss by super-hydrophobic sand of the proposed assembly would make the achievable agriculture in desert lands.

Described herein are compositions and methods relating to functionalized sands or soils.

Described herein are compositions and methods relating to functionalized sands or soils.

Nutrient compositions for plant growth are disclosed. A nutrient composition includes primary macronutrients, including nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium, secondary macronutrients including calcium and sulfur. A nutrient composition may include micronutrients and additional secondary macronutrients, such as magnesium. Nutrient compositions including such nutrient sources exhibit advantageous plant growth. Hydroponic nutrient composition, water soluble powder, and plant growth mediums containing the nutrient composition, as well as methods of using the nutrient compositions, are further disclosed.