94results about "Plant husbandry" patented technology

Methods for classifying plants by remote sensing and image analysis technology are presented. These methods are useful for evaluating plants and for selecting plants for a plant breeding program which has as its goal to selectively alter phenotype. The methods combine the newer techniques of remote sensing technology to obtain indirect correlates of the traits of interest, with classical pedigree breeding strategies. Thermal and infrared reflectance measures of plant canopies are examples of energy values measured by remote sensing, used to indirectly predict the selected traits.

A lighting fixture for facilitating plant growth and a light emitting component. The fixture comprises a single light emission source LED device which provides at least two emission peaks in the wavelength range of 300-800 nm and at least one of the emission peaks has Full Width of Half Maximum (FWHM) at least 50 nm or higher. The emission peaks of the LED match well with a plant photosynthesis response spectrum and is therefore particularly suitable for high efficiency artificial lighting.

A bioreactor assembly of the present invention for holding a media and supporting growth of a plurality of plants. The assembly includes a light source and a container having a light transmissive wall structure and defining a reservoir. A major axis of the reservoir is substantially horizontal allowing the reservoir to be filled with media to a partial level and to define a relatively large surface area for support of the plants. The assembly may also include clamps to secure and seal separate wall structure portions of the container together, and end caps to the wall portions, to define an aseptic environment. As another option, the clamps may define openings therethrough that allow passage of various devices for measuring and controlling bioreactor function such as a gas supply nozzle, a gas exit nozzle, an air temperature probe, a pH probe, a sampling drain, a gas composition probe and a media temperature probe.

A method for treating a seedling by dipping the roots of the seedling into a composition containing a slow release, particulate urea-formaldehyde polymer, which is useful as a fertilizer for enhancing the extended delivery of nitrogen needed for plant development and growth and to the composition useful as the root dip, or as a soil drench.

A slow release, particulate urea-formaldehyde polymer useful as a fertilizer for enhancing the extended delivery of nitrogen needed for plant development and growth and a granular fertilizer made with the particulate urea-formaldehyde polymer.

An assembly for promoting the growth of plant tissues that includes a plurality of plates each defining an array of wells wherein each of the wells contains a tissue sample. Support for the plates is provided by a rack having a plurality of vertically stacked shelves that may include one or more register depressions that urge the plates into predetermined positions. Light for the tissue samples is provided by a plurality of light-emitting diode arrays each mounted on a circuit board. Each circuit board is supported by a respective card edge connector of the rack so that the light-emitting diodes are in proximity to the plates supported on one of the shelves therebelow. Preferably, the light-emitting diode array corresponds to the well array supported in the registered position on the shelf therebelow so that each light-emitting diode is centered above a respective one of the wells.

A process is described for producing hybrid seed using male-sterile plants created by employing molecular techniques to manipulate antisense DNA and other genes that are capable of controlling the production of fertile pollen in plants. Transformation techniques are used to introduce constructs containing antisense DNA and other genes into plants. Said plants are functionally male-sterile and are useful for the production of hybrid seed by the crossing of said male-sterile plants with pollen from male-fertile plants. Hybrid seed production is simplified and improved by this invention and can be extended to plant crop species for which commercially acceptable hybrid seed production methods are not currently available.

Compositions for and method of degrading organic chemicals in soil. The composition is a nutrient medium serving as a substrate for micro-organisms in the soil, preferably containing a major proportion of a source of carbon skeleton and energy, a macronutrient component preferably including nitrogen and other macronutrients, and a micronutrient component, preferably also a complexing agent and a vitamin / co-factor component. This nutrient material is added to soil, e.g. soil contaminated by a pesticide, to cause proliferation of micro-organisms which are effective, or which develop effectiveness to degrade the organic chemicals. Preferably the micro-organisms are those naturally present in the soil but useful micro- organisms may be added with the nutrient medium.

To provide an illuminator for plant growth that can illuminate a plant intermittently (pulse illumination) or continuously to cause an effect similar to sunbeam spot phenomenon, thereby accelerating photosynthetic reaction.Specifically, the illuminator for plant growth includes a light source composed of a semiconductor optical device, a control unit for outputting a turn-on timing signal for the light source, a rhythm signal detecting unit for A / D converting an input rhythm signal, a timing signal modulating unit for modulating the turn-on timing signal with the output signal from the rhythm signal detecting unit, and a pulse drive unit for pulse-modulating a power signal with the modulated turn-on timing signal outputted from the timing signal modulating unit and supplying the pulse-modulated power signal to the light source.

Provided is a plant growth control of an apparatus for controlling a growth rate of a plant growing in a greenhouse having a roof formed of a dye-sensitized panel. In the method, a wavelength of sunlight to pass through the dye-sensitized panel is selected according to external environment information. A wavelength control signal corresponding to the selected wavelength is proved to the dye-sensitized panel.

Concentrated aqueous gypsum slurries containing small amounts of water soluble phosphonates are non-clogging when used in drip irrigation systems.

Environmentally friendly processes for prevention of qualitative deterioration and quantitative loss of plant matter and foodstuffs, during all stages of storage and handling, including pre- and post-harvest, pre- and post-planting, distribution and marketing involves the use of H2O2 compositions including Ag and at least one of Cu and Zn ions. The processes can also be used to prevent sprouting and rooting, and to promote fecundity of certain plant matter, and can also be used to eliminate or reduce quantities of harmful organisms and substances from soil, other growth media and substrates, equipment, materials water, workspaces and surfaces.

In one aspect, the present invention provides methods for suppressing cracking, stem browning, and water loss in fruit or vegetables, such as cherries. The methods comprise applying to fruit or vegetables an amount of a wax emulsion effective to suppress cherry cracking, stem browning, and water loss. The wax emulsion used in the methods of the invention typically comprises a matrix of complex hydrocarbons, one or more emulsifying agents, and water. In some embodiments, the wax emulsion comprises from about 0.125% to about 25% (weight / weight) of carnauba wax, from about 0.1% to about 16% (weight / weight) of oleic acid, and from about 0.03% to about 6% (weight / weight) of morpholine, and from about 53% to about 99.7% (weight / weight) of water. In some embodiments, the wax emulsions further comprise one or more osmoregulators.

A new and improved fertilizer is disclosed herein. The method for producing the fertilizer produces a substantially odor free fertilizer that produces substantially larger plants than the known fertilizers. The fertilizer includes shredded rubber, coal dust, Canadian peat, trace minerals, organic surfactant, and Nature's Blend. The invention also includes a method for producing a substantially odor free fertilizer that includes the steps of mixing rubber with an organic material, adding carbon, adding peat, adding trace minerals, and adding a surfactant.

The configuration of a feedstock material is controlled by bringing it into contact with at least a first gas moving against it at a location with an area and thickness of the feedstock liquid that forms drops or fibers of a selected size. In one embodiment, drops of agricultural input materials are formed for spraying on agricultural fields. In another embodiment, nanofibers of materials such as chitosan or metals are formed. In another embodiment seeds are planted with gel.

A bioreactor assembly of the present invention for holding a media and supporting growth of a plurality of plants. The assembly includes a light source and a container having a light transmissive wall structure and defining a reservoir. A major axis of the reservoir is substantially horizontal allowing the reservoir to be filled with media to a partial level and to define a relatively large surface area for support of the plants. The assembly may also include clamps to secure and seal separate wall structure portions of the container together, and end caps to the wall portions, to define an aseptic environment. As another option, the clamps may define openings therethrough that allow passage of various devices for measuring and controlling bioreactor function such as a gas supply nozzle, a gas exit nozzle, an air temperature probe, a pH probe, a sampling drain, a gas composition probe and a media temperature probe.

The method of stimulating a plant substance is disclosed. The method has the steps of activating a pressure pulse or an acoustic shock wave generator or source to emit pressure pulse or acoustic shock waves; and subjecting the plant substance to the pressure pulse or acoustic shock waves stimulating said plant substance wherein the substance is positioned within a path of the emitted shock waves. In one embodiment the emitted pressure pulse or shock waves are divergent or near planar. In another embodiment the emitted shock waves are convergent having a geometric focal volume of point at a distance of at least X from the source, the method further comprising positioning the substance at a distance less than the distance X from the source. The substance is a plant tissue having cells. The tissue can be a seed, zygotic embryo or somatic embryogenic culture of somatic embryos of plants. The plant may be a vegetable, tree, shrub or tuber. The tissue may be a part of the root system, a part of the stem system or a part of the leaf system. The method of stimulating includes activating the cells within the treated tissue thereby releasing growth factor proteins or other chemical compositions promoting growth and accelerating germination or plant growth.

A computer controlled environment system and method are used to provide the optimum environmental and nutritional conditions for the growth and development of seed potato cuttings for the initiation and development of tubers that can be used as the seed source for further multiplication under field conditions as seed potato stock. Use of a controlled environment system and method that provides optimum cultural conditions results in rapid growth and development of the potato cutting so as up to six crops of tubers can be harvested in a calendar year.

A stable aqueous suspension of water-soluble polyacrylamide particles is in a saturated solution of an ammonium salt. The polyacrylamide particles are characterized by a particle size of about −150 mesh, and preferably −270 mesh, with −400 mesh most preferred. The suspension is at least about 2.5% by weight polyacrylamide. When the ammonium salt is ammonium sulfate, PAM concentrations as high as about 15% by weight can be achieved while still being easily flowable. The suspension is made by stirring the small particle PAM into the saturated ammonium salt solution. The PAM can be quickly dissolved to form a less concentrated PAM solution by adding the suspension to water or to a dilute solution, which can include calcium salts or other soil enhancers.

A composition suitable for making films, wherein the composition contains keratin obtained from avian feathers and at least one OH containing plasticizer. Protein-based films containing at least one protein and at least one OH containing plasticizer, wherein the protein is a protein whose PE value is ≧2.5 where PE=(S+T+Y) / C where PE is plasticizer efficiency and where S, T, Y, and C are the amino acids serine, threonine, tyrosine, and cysteine, respectively, in the protein. Preferably the protein is keratin obtained from avian feathers.

Sunburn and insect damage to fruit and vegetable crops is significantly reduced by treatment of both fruit and foliage with a preventative amount of thixotropic smectic clay material, chemically altered to render its surface lipophilic, which is combined with a wax emulsion comprising a matrix of complex hydrocarbons, an emulsifying agent and water. In the practice of this invention the sunburn and insect protective composition is further diluted in an aqueous solution that is sprayable by commercial applicators.

A bioreactor assembly of the present invention for holding a media and supporting growth of a plurality of plants. The assembly includes a light source and a container having a light transmissive wall structure and defining a reservoir. A major axis of the reservoir is substantially horizontal allowing the reservoir to be filled with media to a partial level and to define a relatively large surface area for support of the plants. The assembly may also include clamps to secure and seal separate wall structure portions of the container together, and end caps to the wall portions, to define an aseptic environment. As another option, the clamps may define openings therethrough that allow passage of various devices for measuring and controlling bioreactor function such as a gas supply nozzle, a gas exit nozzle, an air temperature probe, a pH probe, a sampling drain, a gas composition probe and a media temperature probe.

A portable processing plant apparatus is transported to a location convenient to a freight supplier or like destination and then set up to receive gross agricultural commodities and discharge clean agricultural commodities into a clean commodity receptacle, such as a rail car. A batch of commodity from a farm location is received into a storage bin. The batch is conveyed in a stream through a gross scale, cleaning module, and net scale and into a receptacle, such as a rail car. A gap is created between the stream of one batch and the stream of the next, and a computer is operative to control flow of the commodity streams. The computer can store batch identity information, and record the source farm location of the commodity in each receptacle.

An automated planter includes a locating device arranged to locate a propagation tray; at least one plant extraction device adapted to pull a plant out of a propagation tray located by the locating device; and a delivery assembly arranged to receive a plant extracted by the at least one plant extraction device and deliver the received plant to the ground. The planter lifts the plants out of their cells in the tray by inserting fingers, which are caused to converge to pinch the root ball. A plant transport includes two tracks, such that one can be loaded while the other is transporting plants to the delivery assembly.

The invention provides a rice seed coated with an agricultural chemical, characterized in that a rice seed is deprived of husk and the surface of said rice seed is coated with a binder containing an agricultural chemical. The rice seed is suitable to be germinated by maintaining the seed for at least three days at 20 to 40 degrees C.

Materials, compositions, substances and methods and systems for stormwater treatment in wet ponds, dry ponds and a green roof system. A first embodiment provides in-situ treatment unit within the retention pond by withdrawing the stored stormwater to circulate the stored stormwater into the in-situ treatment unit to sorb nitrogen from the stored stormwater. A second embodiment provides uses a riprap apron, a perforated riser located at the bottom of the riprap apron and a goetextile media encased in a sorption media jacket around the perforated riser. A third embodiment provides a green roof stormwater treatment system that includes protection for waterproofing and insulating the roof, a pollution control media layer for filtration and sorption of solids and dissolved materials found in stormwater, a growing media for growing vegetation, and a cistern to store the runoff stormwater between irrigation events. The green roof system includes recycling runoff stormwater by irrigating the green roof with the stored stormwater.