A method of increasing the probability and rate of seed germination, increasing vegetative biomass, and increasing water uptake in seeds, in which a seed is introduced to an effective concentration of carbon nanomaterial. The effective concentration of carbon nanomaterial is 10-200 g/mL.

A method of increasing the probability and rate of seed germination, increasing vegetative biomass, and increasing water uptake in seeds, in which a seed is introduced to an effective concentration of carbon nanomaterial. The effective concentration of carbon nanomaterial is 10-200 g/mL.

Disclosed is a method of priming dry seeds, wherein said seeds firstly wetted in a manner such that the seed absorbs at least 75 wt. % of the amount of water required by the seed for entering phase II of water uptake. Subsequently, the moisture content of the seed is reduced by at least 1 percentage unit, and in manner such that the resulting moisture content of the seed still is at least 25%. At last is the seed incubated in such a manner that: the weight of the seed during the incubation remains at least 80%, such as at least 90% or at least 95%, of the weight of the seed before the incubation; and the moisture content (dry weight based) of the seed during the incubation remains at least 25% during at least 25% of incubation time.

Disclosed is a method of priming dry seeds, wherein said seeds firstly wetted in a manner such that the seed absorbs at least 75 wt. % of the amount of water required by the seed for entering phase II of water uptake. Subsequently, the moisture content of the seed is reduced by at least 1 percentage unit, and in manner such that the resulting moisture content of the seed still is at least 25%. At last is the seed incubated in such a manner that: the weight of the seed during the incubation remains at least 80%, such as at least 90% or at least 95%, of the weight of the seed before the incubation; and the moisture content (dry weight based) of the seed during the incubation remains at least 25% during at least 25% of incubation time.

The invention concerns a method (E) for controlling the germination of seeds in a germinator (1), said germinator (1) comprising a control unit (9) configured to implement a step consisting of determining, from ambient parameters at the germinator (1), information relative to the quantity and type of seeds to be germinated, and the respective location of same inside the chamber (17), and germination parameters specific to the germination of the seeds to be germinated in said chamber (17), control parameters for controlling the spray nozzle (5) so as to obtain, inside the chamber (17), an environment conducive to the germination of the seeds, said control parameters comprising a frequency of dispersion of the water-air mixture in the form of droplets, by the spray nozzle (5), and a frequency of dispersion of air.

The invention concerns a method (E) for controlling the germination of seeds in a germinator (1), said germinator (1) comprising a control unit (9) configured to implement a step consisting of determining, from ambient parameters at the germinator (1), information relative to the quantity and type of seeds to be germinated, and the respective location of same inside the chamber (17), and germination parameters specific to the germination of the seeds to be germinated in said chamber (17), control parameters for controlling the spray nozzle (5) so as to obtain, inside the chamber (17), an environment conducive to the germination of the seeds, said control parameters comprising a frequency of dispersion of the water-air mixture in the form of droplets, by the spray nozzle (5), and a frequency of dispersion of air.

A plant cultivation method and light treatment unit for increasing the content of a phytochemical. The plant cultivation method includes: growing a plant by germinating a seed; increasing the content of resveratrol, which is a phytochemical, through UV treatment on the plant; and harvesting the plant. Here, UV treatment is performed by irradiating the plant with UV light emitted from an LED.

A plant cultivation method and light treatment unit for increasing the content of a phytochemical. The plant cultivation method includes: growing a plant by germinating a seed; increasing the content of resveratrol, which is a phytochemical, through UV treatment on the plant; and harvesting the plant. Here, UV treatment is performed by irradiating the plant with UV light emitted from an LED.

Provided are methods for growing and shipping sprouts and microgreens in the same container, growing while in shipment using moisture provided in a water-absorbent layer, with optional added beneficials, and including methods for producing sprouts and microgreens for consumption, and for pharmaceutical/nutriceutical use, comprising growth of sprouts in retail-ready containers, the container comprising a moisture-retaining layer of agar media or the like providing water for growth and obviating the need for irrigation during sprout growth. In certain aspects, media is supplemented with beneficial organisms or additives such as probiotic microbes, vitamins (e.g., B12), cofactors, nutrients, and other items (e.g., phytochemicals, natural colors, and antioxidants) which promote the growth of the beneficial microbes on the product, and/or which become incorporated into the product. In certain aspects, added beneficial microorganisms are selected to compete/antagonize human pathogens such as Listeria, Salmonella, enterohaemorrhagic E. coli, Yersinia, and/or spoilage organisms (e.g., Erwinia, Pseudomonas and Xanthomonas).

Provided are methods for growing and shipping sprouts and microgreens in the same container, growing while in shipment using moisture provided in a water-absorbent layer, with optional added beneficials, and including methods for producing sprouts and microgreens for consumption, and for pharmaceutical/nutriceutical use, comprising growth of sprouts in retail-ready containers, the container comprising a moisture-retaining layer of agar media or the like providing water for growth and obviating the need for irrigation during sprout growth. In certain aspects, media is supplemented with beneficial organisms or additives such as probiotic microbes, vitamins (e.g., B12), cofactors, nutrients, and other items (e.g., phytochemicals, natural colors, and antioxidants) which promote the growth of the beneficial microbes on the product, and/or which become incorporated into the product. In certain aspects, added beneficial microorganisms are selected to compete/antagonize human pathogens such as Listeria, Salmonella, enterohaemorrhagic E. coli, Yersinia, and/or spoilage organisms (e.g., Erwinia, Pseudomonas and Xanthomonas).