Crops, for example microgreens, may be aeroponically grown from seed on substrates. The substrates may be seeded with the substrates in a horizontal position, and then arranged vertically for germination and further growth. A gelling material in solution, with the gelling material for example a gellum, may be applied to the substrates, while in the horizontal position, so that the seeds are retained on the substrates when the substrates are moved to a vertical position.

A long base sheet is a thin paper like toilet paper, made of water-decomposable paper, and is supplied from a base sheet supply section. A water-soluble adhesive is applied to a surface of the sheet at a predetermined interval in an adhesive applying section. Multiple seeds are placed on the surface of the sheet, and then the sheet is put up to non-adhering remove seeds. Thereafter, in a base sheet transportation/seed pressing section, the sheet is pressed by a pair of rollers and softer than the seed, producing a seeded paper. In the seeded paper, concave portions are on the long base sheet, and have a plane shape approximately equal to a shape of the target seed and depth of one tenth to equal to a height of the target seed, and the target seed adheres to an inside area of each of the concave portions by the water-soluble adhesive.

A method of categorising microgreens, the method comprising the steps of establishing a growing protocol for specific species of microgreen that is replicatable to deliver reliable consistent cropping and maximise vitamin and mineral availability of the species; nutritionally mapping said species through its growing cycle; calculating the nutritional content of said species for a given crop; and categorising a plurality of species of microgreen based on their nutritional load; calculating the amount of crop of the species which, on its own or in combination with a crop of a different species delivers a pre-defined vitamin or mineral load and preparing and delivering to the end user a growing media pre-seeded with the calculated amount of crop of the or each species.

A seed transportation system and method for using the same, the seed transportation system including a rotatable wheel with at least one seed supports for holding a seed, wherein the at least one seed support has one or more fixed support structures configured to restrict movement of the seed in a circumferential direction relative to the rotatable wheel and in a direction away from an axis of rotation of the rotatable wheel, and wherein the at least one seed support has an access opening in its radially outer side, the access opening permitting access to the seed for creating an opening in the seed.

A seed transportation system and method for using the same, the seed transportation system including a rotatable wheel with at least one seed supports for holding a seed, wherein the at least one seed support has one or more fixed support structures configured to restrict movement of the seed in a circumferential direction relative to the rotatable wheel and in a direction away from an axis of rotation of the rotatable wheel, and wherein the at least one seed support has an access opening in its radially outer side, the access opening permitting access to the seed for creating an opening in the seed.

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; and covering the mat with a perforated, transparent or semi-transparent cover. Most or all of the apparatus can be biodegradable or removable, and the sand or soil can be similar to indigenous sand or soil. 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 system for growing plants, the system may include a substrate having one or more weakened areas or openings: one or more grow portions coupled to the substrate and situated at the one or more weakened areas or openings and having at least one seed or plant; and/or a fluid distribution portion coupled to the substrate and configured to provide fluid to the one or more grow portions. The system may further include a method of operation including one or more acts of: obtaining a weather forecast for a future time period; determining whether rain is expected during the future time period; and preventing, terminating, or restricting an irrigation cycle when it is determined that rain is expected during the fare time period. The restricting may restrict a flow of liquid during the irrigation cycle or shorten the irrigation interval.

A product distribution control system for an agricultural system is provided. The product distribution control system includes a controller including a memory and a processor. The controller is configured to receive a signal indicative of an amount of product in a tank of an air cart and to automatically adjust the metering rate of the product from the tank or the tank pressurization based on the amount of product in the tank.

A product distribution control system for an agricultural system is provided. The product distribution control system includes a controller including a memory and a processor. The controller is configured to receive a signal indicative of an amount of product in a tank of an air cart and to automatically adjust the metering rate of the product from the tank or the tank pressurization based on the amount of product in the tank.

A canola seed sample crusher features a frame, and a drum rotatably carried on the frame and having an array of seed pockets on an outer periphery thereof. The seed pockets are sized and shaped to receive individual canola seeds respectively therein. A pathway is arranged to receive a length of adhesive tape and guide the tape over the seed pockets in the outer periphery of the drum during rotation thereof to adhesively collect the sample of canola seeds from the seed pockets onto the adhesive tape. A crushing mechanism is carried on the frame and operatively installed at a position along the pathway to crush the sample of canola seeds collected on the adhesive tape during passage of the tap tape through the crushing mechanism.