A sowing unit is provided including water-absorbing material, an enclosure and a seed. The water-absorbing material is vermiculite, which is a hygroscopic negatively-charged material capable of binding a positively charged nutrient ion selected from NH4+, L-arginine, L-lysine and L-histidine. Further, there is least one hole in the water-absorbing material arranged to hold one or more seeds.

A sowing unit including water-absorbing material, an enclosure and a seed, wherein the water-absorbing material includes a hygroscopic negatively-charged material capable of binding a positively charged nutrient ion selected from NH4+, L-arginine, L-lysine and L-histidine; and optionally a nutrient including a positively charged nutrient ion selected from K+, NH4+, L-arginine, L-lysine and L-histidine. Methods and uses of the sowing unit are described.

A sowing unit including water-absorbing material, an enclosure and a seed, wherein the water-absorbing material includes a hygroscopic negatively-charged material capable of binding a positively charged nutrient ion selected from NH4+, L-arginine, L-lysine and L-histidine; and optionally a nutrient including a positively charged nutrient ion selected from K+, NH4+, L-arginine, L-lysine and L-histidine. Methods and uses of the sowing unit are described.

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).

Provided herein are methods, compositions, and devices relating to administration of UV-B to a seed.

Provided herein are methods, compositions, and devices relating to administration of UV-B to a seed.

Methods of promoting seed germination and plant growth using melanin, or a melanin precursor, derivative, or analog are provided. The methods described herein require water, melanin, or a melanin precursor, derivative, or analog, and a source of electromagnetic energy, such as visible or invisible light energy, to catalyze the electrolysis of water. The electrolysis of water causes the release of diatomic hydrogen and oxygen into the soil, resulting in acceleration of seed germination and plant growth. Also provided soilless growth medium compositions includes, but are not limited to, cotton, peat moss, wood bark, cellulose (i.e., organic cotton wool), pumice, coconut coir, vermiculite, foam, perlite, plastic or polystyrene pellets, and polymer-based gels.

Disclosed is a process for the preparation of moringa (Moringa oleifera Lam.) sprouts by hydroponic cultivation from seed, as well as a process for the preparation of a raw material enriched with isothiocyanates and polyphenols, starting from moringa (Moringa oleifera Lam.) sprouts obtained from seed by the process and/or from the adult plant, and to the raw material obtained by the process.

Disclosed is a process for the preparation of moringa (Moringa oleifera Lam.) sprouts by hydroponic cultivation from seed, as well as a process for the preparation of a raw material enriched with isothiocyanates and polyphenols, starting from moringa (Moringa oleifera Lam.) sprouts obtained from seed by the process and/or from the adult plant, and to the raw material obtained by the process.