A method for making a growing medium includes a step of combining tree bark and/or wood components together to form an initial composition; heating the initial composition to a temperature greater than about 149? C. under steam in a pressurized vessel; processing the initial composition through a refiner with a plurality of opposing disks to obtain the fibrous growing medium, the refiner separating fibers from each other; wherein the growing medium has total porosity of 88 volume % or more.

A method for making a growing medium includes a step of combining tree bark and/or wood components together to form an initial composition; heating the initial composition to a temperature greater than about 149? C. under steam in a pressurized vessel; processing the initial composition through a refiner with a plurality of opposing disks to obtain the fibrous growing medium, the refiner separating fibers from each other; wherein the growing medium has total porosity of 88 volume % or more.

A heavy metal cadmium deactivator for activating the activity of sulfur-reducing bacteria in rice field soil, and an application thereof. The deactivator is constituted by electron shuttles alone or electron shuttles and electron donors, but cannot be constituted by electron donors alone. The mass ratio of the electron donors to the electron shuttles is (1:3)-(1:8). Also, a heavy metal cadmium deactivating method for activating the activity of microorganisms in rice field soil, such as sulfur-reducing bacteria. By applying the functional deactivator to rice field soil, the activity of microorganisms, such as sulfur-reducing bacteria, can be activated, thereby accelerating the reduction process of sulfur and iron in soil to facilitate the fixation of cadmium; cadmium adsorption and accumulation in rice is reduced to achieve secure production in fields moderately or lightly polluted by cadmium.

A heavy metal cadmium deactivator for activating the activity of sulfur-reducing bacteria in rice field soil, and an application thereof. The deactivator is constituted by electron shuttles alone or electron shuttles and electron donors, but cannot be constituted by electron donors alone. The mass ratio of the electron donors to the electron shuttles is (1:3)-(1:8). Also, a heavy metal cadmium deactivating method for activating the activity of microorganisms in rice field soil, such as sulfur-reducing bacteria. By applying the functional deactivator to rice field soil, the activity of microorganisms, such as sulfur-reducing bacteria, can be activated, thereby accelerating the reduction process of sulfur and iron in soil to facilitate the fixation of cadmium; cadmium adsorption and accumulation in rice is reduced to achieve secure production in fields moderately or lightly polluted by cadmium.

A method for capturing material extracted from biochar is provided comprising the steps of: (i) providing a biochar; (ii) contacting the biochar with an extraction media, where the extraction media causes the removal of residual compounds from the pores and surface of the biochar, creating a resulting extract comprised of the extraction media and removed compounds; and (iii) collecting the resulting extract. The method also can include other steps of extraction and purification. The method further comprises the step of applying the resulting extract to seeds, plants, soil, other agricultural products, or for use in other applications. A biochar having high levels of soluble signaling compounds is also provided, where the biochar is derived from a biomass source that together with predefined pyrolysis parameters produces resulting biochar having increased levels of soluble signaling compounds that are known to increase seed germination rates and early plant growth. Such soluble signaling compounds can then be collected in a biochar extract by contacting the biochar with an extraction media.

A method of processing coir, comprising using counter-rotating blades to shred compressed coir into dry, shredded coir.

A method of processing coir, comprising using counter-rotating blades to shred compressed coir into dry, shredded coir.

Processes capable of producing bulk materials suitable for use by the horticulture industry, resulting bulk materials produced thereby, and applications for these processes and materials. Preferred bulk materials have physical properties similar to peat moss and comprise individual materials, each at least partially having a twisted, curled, clumped and rolled structure. The individual materials may further comprise small granular particles dispersed throughout the twisted, curled, clumped and rolled structure. The individual materials may be rolled fibers such that the bulk material has physical properties similar to sphagnum peat moss so as to be particularly suitable as, for example, a soil conditioner, an absorbent material, a chemical carrier, or a filtering material. Alternatively, the individual materials may be rolled particles such that the bulk material has physical properties similar to milled peat moss so as to be particularly suitable as propagation media.

Processes capable of producing bulk materials suitable for use by the horticulture industry, resulting bulk materials produced thereby, and applications for these processes and materials. Preferred bulk materials have physical properties similar to peat moss and comprise individual materials, each at least partially having a twisted, curled, clumped and rolled structure. The individual materials may further comprise small granular particles dispersed throughout the twisted, curled, clumped and rolled structure. The individual materials may be rolled fibers such that the bulk material has physical properties similar to sphagnum peat moss so as to be particularly suitable as, for example, a soil conditioner, an absorbent material, a chemical carrier, or a filtering material. Alternatively, the individual materials may be rolled particles such that the bulk material has physical properties similar to milled peat moss so as to be particularly suitable as propagation media.

A growing medium comprising fibrous tree bark and fibrous wood components, wherein the fibers of the growing medium have an average length to width ratio, such that the growing medium has a dry bulk density of about 60 kg/m.sup.3 or lower and wet bulk density of about 120 kg/m.sup.3 or lower.