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.

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.

Various batch mixers and related components and methods for coating seeds to be used in planting and other applications where it is desired to enhance germination of the seed or growth of the resulting plant. Seed supply systems include an articulating gate on a seed scale fill hopper. A lateral discharge gate on a seed supply hopper is provided. Unique mixing bars or blades are arranged around an interior of a stirring batch mixer. A discharge chute may be provided to dissipate kinetic energy of coated seeds without damaging the seeds.

Various batch mixers and related components and methods for coating seeds to be used in planting and other applications where it is desired to enhance germination of the seed or growth of the resulting plant. Seed supply systems include an articulating gate on a seed scale fill hopper. A lateral discharge gate on a seed supply hopper is provided. Unique mixing bars or blades are arranged around an interior of a stirring batch mixer. A discharge chute may be provided to dissipate kinetic energy of coated seeds without damaging the seeds.

An external reactive oxygen species application system and method for increasing enzyme activity and plant dry matter through the use of reactive oxygen species in hydroponically grown cellulosic materials. The external reactive oxygen species application system disinfects a plurality of seeds with the reactive oxygen species using a liquid applicator at a first concentration during a seed out phase. The reactive oxygen species increases gibberellic acid expression. The liquid applicator applies the reactive oxygen species at a second concentration during the plant development phase increase plant dry matter.

A treatment discharge catcher may be positioned at a terminal end of a treatment chamber. The treatment discharge catcher has a sloped member and a liquid collector. The sloped member extends downwardly and outwardly from a liquid dispenser. The liquid dispenser coats a particulate material with a treatment. Unapplied treatment may coat an interior of the treatment chamber. The sloped member directs unapplied treatment towards the liquid collector. The liquid collector has an interior wall that extends upwardly towards the sloped member to form a slotted gap. The particulate material may be prevented passage through the slotted gap. The unapplied treatment flows along an underside of the sloped member through the slotted gap. The unapplied treatment releases at a release portion of the sloped member. A port may discharge unapplied treatment collected inside the liquid collector.

A treatment discharge catcher may be positioned at a terminal end of a treatment chamber. The treatment discharge catcher has a sloped member and a liquid collector. The sloped member extends downwardly and outwardly from a liquid dispenser. The liquid dispenser coats a particulate material with a treatment. Unapplied treatment may coat an interior of the treatment chamber. The sloped member directs unapplied treatment towards the liquid collector. The liquid collector has an interior wall that extends upwardly towards the sloped member to form a slotted gap. The particulate material may be prevented passage through the slotted gap. The unapplied treatment flows along an underside of the sloped member through the slotted gap. The unapplied treatment releases at a release portion of the sloped member. A port may discharge unapplied treatment collected inside the liquid collector.

This disclosure describes a biological system of plant growth promotion, pest resistance and disease resistance by application of strains of T. viride, Trichoderma harzianum K2, Bacillus amyloliquifaciens AS2, Bacillus amyloliquifaciens AS3, or a combination thereof. These strains can be used in conventional or organic agriculture for the promotion nematode resistance when applied topically as a foliar spray or as a seed coating. The highly active strains also are expected to increase plant productivity and improve quality of fruits, vegetables, flowers or other plant products.

This disclosure describes a biological system of plant growth promotion, pest resistance and disease resistance by application of strains of T. viride, Trichoderma harzianum K2, Bacillus amyloliquifaciens AS2, Bacillus amyloliquifaciens AS3, or a combination thereof. These strains can be used in conventional or organic agriculture for the promotion nematode resistance when applied topically as a foliar spray or as a seed coating. The highly active strains also are expected to increase plant productivity and improve quality of fruits, vegetables, flowers or other plant products.

The present invention relates to a system for modifying existing sowing equipment comprising a plant propagation materials (K) reservoir, a separation device for singulating plant propagation materials (K), and an outlet for directing the singulated plant propagation materials (K) to the soil, comprising an application assembly (30) configured to be attachable to the outlet or the singulation device, for selectively applying an aliquot of a dressing composition to the separated plant propagation materials (K) wherein the application device (30) further comprises: i. a power supply connector, ii. a reservoir (18) for the fluidized dressing composition, all attachable to the sowing equipment; ill. a sensor array comprising at least one sensor (32, 33) for measuring the trajectory of the plant propagation materials while falling, iv. a controller (35) for calculating the trajectory from the data received from the sensor array; and for coordinating and applying the dressing composition; and v. an outlet device for dispensing an aliquot of the dressing composition selectively onto the plant propagation materials during free-falling.