A mobile light exposure device or improving the yield and quality of biological material has a first module for emitting one or more light pulses, which includes a light treatment panel whose surface area is between 0.01 m.sup.2 and 10 m.sup.2, a second module or adjusting the optical power density of the treatment panel and optionally adjusting the temperature of the panel, and a means of locomotion for moving the device at a speed of between 1 and 10 km/h. The optical power density of the panel is between 100 W/m.sup.2 and 10,000 W/m.sup.2, preferably between 300 W/m.sup.2 and 3,000 W/m.sup.2, and the light pulses delivered to the biological material are of identical or different wavelengths and of durations less than or equal to two seconds.

A novel plant growth-promoting agent and a plant growth-promoting method using the same are provided. The plant growth-promoting agent contains a lactic acid bacterium having a plant growth-promoting action. Also, in the plant growth-promoting method, a seed, a plant body and/or a soil is treated with a lactic acid bacterium having a plant growth-promoting action. Lactobacillus plantarum strain FERM BP-21501 is suitable as the lactic acid bacterium having a plant growth-promoting action.

This invention relates to methods and materials for providing a benefit to a plant by associating the plant with a complex endophyte comprising a host fungus further comprising a component bacterium, including benefits to a plant derived from a seed or other plant element treated with a complex endophyte. For example, this invention provides purified complex endophytes, purified complex endophyte components such as bacteria or fungi, synthetic combinations comprising said complex endophytes and/or components, and methods of making and using the same.

This invention relates to methods and materials for providing a benefit to a plant by associating the plant with a complex endophyte comprising a host fungus further comprising a component bacterium, including benefits to a plant derived from a seed or other plant element treated with a complex endophyte. For example, this invention provides purified complex endophytes, purified complex endophyte components such as bacteria or fungi, synthetic combinations comprising said complex endophytes and/or components, and methods of making and using the same.

There is discussed a method of picking and placing bulbs, in which bulbs are supplied on a supply surface of a bulbs supply system; the bulbs being identified and picked from the supply surface with a pick-and-place head; wherein picked bulbs are transferred from the pick-and-place head, shoot-first and roots-last to a transfer-receptacle comprising at least one bulb-receptor, wherein the bulb-receptor temporarily clutches said bulb.

There is discussed a method of picking and placing bulbs, in which bulbs are supplied on a supply surface of a bulbs supply system; the bulbs being identified and picked from the supply surface with a pick-and-place head; wherein picked bulbs are transferred from the pick-and-place head, shoot-first and roots-last to a transfer-receptacle comprising at least one bulb-receptor, wherein the bulb-receptor temporarily clutches said bulb.

A hydroponic growing system configured for growing plants from bulbs. In various embodiments including features configured for accommodating bulbs of various sizes and/or types.

A hydroponic growing system configured for growing plants from bulbs. In various embodiments including features configured for accommodating bulbs of various sizes and/or types.

The present disclosure provides for, and includes, environments for the production, transport and storage of agricultural products including, but not limited to, fruits, vegetables, grains, tubers, decorative plants, flowers and mushrooms. The present disclosure also relates to methods of preparing environments for the preservation and production of agricultural products Also provided are organic agricultural products having reduced levels of microorganisms and residual organic compounds.

The present disclosure provides for, and includes, environments for the production, transport and storage of agricultural products including, but not limited to, fruits, vegetables, grains, tubers, decorative plants, flowers and mushrooms. The present disclosure also relates to methods of preparing environments for the preservation and production of agricultural products Also provided are organic agricultural products having reduced levels of microorganisms and residual organic compounds.