The present invention relates to a method for treating a plastic and/or paper waste material having steps including collecting a plastic and/or paper waste material, preferably paper, and highly preferably a release coated cellulose or polymeric sheet material. The material already includes a selected new-use additive preferably selected from flame retardant, hydrophobic material, pesticide, herbicides, minerals, nutrients, and/or mixtures thereof. The method includes the step of preparing the collected material by mixing, separating foreign bodies like metals, etc., and feeding it to a grinding station. The method also includes the step of, in one or several grinding stations, shredding and grinding the materials into small pieces.

A system for sensing water status in soil includes a porous material selected for actively proliferating root growth and a water status sensor that is hydraulically coupled to the porous material. The porous material is configured to have an area of at least 0.025 m.sup.2.

A system for sensing water status in soil includes a porous material selected for actively proliferating root growth and a water status sensor that is hydraulically coupled to the porous material. The porous material is configured to have an area of at least 0.025 m.sup.2.

This application discloses a geotextile-based structure for soil stabilization, erosion control, and vegetation-growth enhancement that is made from a cage having a hollow interior lined with a geotextile fabric designed to retain fine materials, which cage is attached to a geotextile mat capable of supporting vegetation.

This application discloses a geotextile-based structure for soil stabilization, erosion control, and vegetation-growth enhancement that is made from a cage having a hollow interior lined with a geotextile fabric designed to retain fine materials, which cage is attached to a geotextile mat capable of supporting vegetation.

Described is a hydroponic system wherein a feed formulation comprising a plant's nutritionally required mineral nutrients is applied to the foliage of the plant and the roots of the plant are in contact with an incomplete water solution that may comprise only hydrogen and oxygen. The feed formulation, methods of feeding a plant or plant seed, and plants produced thereby are also described.

A hydroponic mat (1) according to the present invention includes: a resin foam (3) containing Zn, which is an essential micronutrient necessary for growth of plants, in the form of citric acid-soluble ZnO particles (2) (zinc oxide). The ZnO particles (2) have an average particle size within a range (not less than 0.02 m and not greater than 0.7 m) that causes scattering for the wavelength of light that chlorophyll of algae absorbs. The content of the ZnO particles (2) in the resin form (3) is not less than 4.5 mg/piece and not greater than 15.0 mg/piece.

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; covering the mat with a perforated, transparent or semi-transparent cover; collecting urine in a water purification system; and providing purified water extracted from the urine to the mat. 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 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; covering the mat with a perforated, transparent or semi-transparent cover; collecting urine in a water purification system; and providing purified water extracted from the urine to the mat. 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.

Growing system for growing plants, for example vegetables and ornamental plants, includes a container tray (1) which is floatably arranged in a liquid reservoir (14). The container tray (1) is configured to float on nutrient water (6) during use and has at least one opening (4) which is arranged in a tray bottom (2) of the container tray (1) for bringing a growth substrate (11) which is arranged on the container tray (1) into contact with the nutrient water (6). The container tray (1) is a substantially flat container tray (1) which includes an upright tray edge (3), and wherein the at least one opening (4) has an upright opening edge (5) having a height which is such that the growth substrate (11) is situated above a water line of the nutrient water (6) during use.