The present invention provides for a growing medium having a mix of soil, graphene, and/or graphene oxide. In at least one example, soil is combined with single or few layer graphene. In another example, the soil is combined with single or few layer graphene, including graphene sheets, and graphene oxide. The growing medium has been shown to increase plant growth while providing for growing medium aeration, increased water retention, and increased nutrient loading and release.

A preparation method for artificially simulated soil rich in humus, relating to a preparation method for simulated soil. The purpose of the method is to solve the problem that the endurance capacity for an existing organic fertilizer to rainwash is low, thereby influencing the effect of remediation on defective soil by the organic fertilizer. The method comprises: 1, preparing a soil mixture; and 2, placing the soil mixture in a high-temperature high-pressure hydrothermal reaction kettle for a hydrothermal reaction to obtain artificially simulated soil rich in humus. The preparation method is simple, raw materials are cheap and easily obtained, and therefore the method is suitable for large-scale synthesis and preparation. The prepared artificially simulated soil rich in humus is used for increasing the soil water retention capacity and the capacity of absorption of nutrients.

A preparation method for artificially simulated soil rich in humus, relating to a preparation method for simulated soil. The purpose of the method is to solve the problem that the endurance capacity for an existing organic fertilizer to rainwash is low, thereby influencing the effect of remediation on defective soil by the organic fertilizer. The method comprises: 1, preparing a soil mixture; and 2, placing the soil mixture in a high-temperature high-pressure hydrothermal reaction kettle for a hydrothermal reaction to obtain artificially simulated soil rich in humus. The preparation method is simple, raw materials are cheap and easily obtained, and therefore the method is suitable for large-scale synthesis and preparation. The prepared artificially simulated soil rich in humus is used for increasing the soil water retention capacity and the capacity of absorption of nutrients.

A gel plug comprised of a gel may be used for growth of plants. The gel may include two polysaccharide components, with a second of the two components providing increased rigidity Plants may be grown, including from seed, in the gel plug.

A gel plug comprised of a gel may be used for growth of plants. The gel may include two polysaccharide components, with a second of the two components providing increased rigidity Plants may be grown, including from seed, in the gel plug.

Systems and methods for vertical farming that reduce the deployment cost, operational costs of human labor, and overall use of energy intensive processes, such as lighting, heating and cooling, and ventilation, while increasing crop quality and yield. This reduction is achieved through a hybrid system that alternates natural light, temperature, and ventilation sources with system-controlled lighting, temperature, and ventilation means. The system includes a germination module that allows seeds to germinal on a horizontal substrate, a growth module that provides optimal growth conditions to the germinated seed on the substrate in a vertical position, and a dosing module that controls the micronutrient mixture supplied to the growing plants.

A composition including a plant medium and a poly-oxygenated metal hydroxide that comprises a clathrate containing oxygen gas molecules. The poly-oxygenated metal hydroxide may comprise of a poly-oxygenated aluminum hydroxide. The composition may include one or more nutrients. The composition may be in a solid form, a fluid form, or a combination thereof. The poly-oxygenated aluminum hydroxide is soluble in a fluid. In one embodiment, the poly-oxygenated metal hydroxide composition may have particles having a diameter of 212 .Math.m or less, and which may be homogeneous.

Embodiments include an artificial soil composition for supporting plant growth and related methods. The artificial soil composition may include a mixture including at least three of the following components: (a) an iron oxide-containing industrial byproduct; (b) a sulfur- containing industrial byproduct; (c) a sand component; (d) a clay component; (e) a water- soluble polymer component; (f) a nitrogen-phosphorus-potassium (NPK) source; and (g) an organic matter component. Embodiments further include a method of making an artificial soil composition, a method of growing plants in an artificial soil composition, and the like.

Embodiments include an artificial soil composition for supporting plant growth and related methods. The artificial soil composition may include a mixture including at least three of the following components: (a) an iron oxide-containing industrial byproduct; (b) a sulfur- containing industrial byproduct; (c) a sand component; (d) a clay component; (e) a water- soluble polymer component; (f) a nitrogen-phosphorus-potassium (NPK) source; and (g) an organic matter component. Embodiments further include a method of making an artificial soil composition, a method of growing plants in an artificial soil composition, and the like.

The present invention concerns a process for preparing a composite of porous material/compound/hybrid organic-inorganic material having a 2:1 lamellar structure, said hybrid material having the following general formula I:
Na.sub.x[(Mg.sub.3)(Al.sub.x(RSi).sub.4−x)O.sub.8+x(OH).sub.2]  (I)
wherein
x is a number such that 0≤x<1.2 and
R represents a C.sub.1-C.sub.30 alkyl group, an aryl group, a (C.sub.1-C.sub.30 alkyl)aryl group or an O—(C.sub.1-C.sub.30 alkyl) group, it being possible for the alkyl group to be substituted with a group chosen from a phenyl, vinyl, aminopropyl or mercaptopropyl group,
and said compound being chosen from the group constituted of at least one active substance and at least one microorganism and mixtures thereof the process comprising:
a) the step of sol-gel synthesis of the hybrid organic-inorganic material having a 2:1 lamellar structure in the presence of the compound and of the porous material saturated with the compound;
b) the recovery of the composite. It also concerns a composite obtainable by means of this process, a composition comprising it and its use in particular for the fertilization of plants.