Described is a hydroponic system wherein a feed formulation comprising a plant's nutritionally effective amount of at least one amino acid, which upon uptake, becomes a substantial source of nitrogen for said plant, is applied to the foliage of the plant, and the roots of the plant are in contact with an incomplete water solution that comprises less than the plant's nutritional nitrogen requirements. The feed formulation, methods of feeding a plant or plant seed, and plants produced thereby are also described.

Described is a hydroponic system wherein a feed formulation comprising a plant's nutritionally effective amount of at least one amino acid, which upon uptake, becomes a substantial source of nitrogen for said plant, is applied to the foliage of the plant, and the roots of the plant are in contact with an incomplete water solution that comprises less than the plant's nutritional nitrogen requirements. The feed formulation, methods of feeding a plant or plant seed, and plants produced thereby are also described.

Provided herein are microwave pyrolysis-derived biochar materials, biochar-hydrogel composites and methods of making and using. The biochar-hydrogel composites comprising; a hydrogel matrix and a biochar material.

Provided herein are microwave pyrolysis-derived biochar materials, biochar-hydrogel composites and methods of making and using. The biochar-hydrogel composites comprising; a hydrogel matrix and a biochar material.

Described herein, inter alia, is a concentrate including a high ionic strength liquid and a microfibrillated cellulose, and methods of making the same.

Described herein, inter alia, is a concentrate including a high ionic strength liquid and a microfibrillated cellulose, and methods of making the same.

The invention provides preparation of a selenium-water-soluble high-molecular polysaccharide hydrogel and use thereof. The preparation method includes: (1) water solution of polysaccharide and seleno-compound was prepared by heating the mixture with stirring; and (2) the solution was cooled with standing within shaped container to obtain the selenium-polysaccharide composite hydrogel. Plant seeds are sown on the surface of the composite hydrogel and cultivated to obtain selenium-rich plants. Shape-controllable hydrogel could be prepared by recycled hydrogel through high-temperature dissolution followed with cooling to realize the effective utilization of selenium in the hydrogel. Compared with the traditional selenium enrichment method, current method showed advances in prevent of selenium pollution, which normally caused by the application of selenium fertilizers.

The invention provides preparation of a selenium-water-soluble high-molecular polysaccharide hydrogel and use thereof. The preparation method includes: (1) water solution of polysaccharide and seleno-compound was prepared by heating the mixture with stirring; and (2) the solution was cooled with standing within shaped container to obtain the selenium-polysaccharide composite hydrogel. Plant seeds are sown on the surface of the composite hydrogel and cultivated to obtain selenium-rich plants. Shape-controllable hydrogel could be prepared by recycled hydrogel through high-temperature dissolution followed with cooling to realize the effective utilization of selenium in the hydrogel. Compared with the traditional selenium enrichment method, current method showed advances in prevent of selenium pollution, which normally caused by the application of selenium fertilizers.

Hydrogel based on at least one gelling agent, in particular agar, and containing a product resulting from extraction by an aqueous alkaline solution of at least one agarophyte red alga from the Gelidiaceae family. The hydrogel is advantageously in the form of pieces or blocks, such as balls or cubes.

Hydrogel based on at least one gelling agent, in particular agar, and containing a product resulting from extraction by an aqueous alkaline solution of at least one agarophyte red alga from the Gelidiaceae family. The hydrogel is advantageously in the form of pieces or blocks, such as balls or cubes.