TITLE

PLANT PROPAGATION

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to plant propagation. In particular, the present invention relates to a plant growing or propagation system, to materials and apparatus for use in the system and to methods using the system.

BACKGROUND

In a modular plant propagation system, a single plant is grown in its own module or pod of plant growth material, such as soil, peat or coir, to allow the plant to develop its own root system without competition for resources from adjacent plants. Commonly, such modular systems use an arrangement of injection-moulded plastic trays having an array of cells, each cell associated with a single plant. In some systems, multiple seeds may initially be sown in each cell, for thinning out or pricking out.

Such systems are cost-effective but suffer from a number of disadvantages. One significant disadvantage is that it is not possible to see the root system. As such, the grower cannot be certain that a plant has a sufficiently well-developed root system to be ready for growing on.

An effective alternative system employs fibre pots, in which the plant is grown initially in a growing medium placed in a fibre pot formed of a biodegradable wood-pulp. When potting up, the plant, its plant growing medium and the fibre pot are placed into a larger pot of growing medium. Over time, the fibre pot decomposes and the roots grow out into the larger pot.

One such system is available from Jiffy Group, which has also developed an alternative approach in which a module of growing medium is provided in a mesh bag having an aperture in the top through which the stem of a plant is able to grow. This system is sold under the Jiffy Pellets and Jiffy Growblock trade marks. In some ‘Jiffy’ modules, the mesh bag is formed of polypropylene or polyethylene, meaning that the product relies on growing roots penetrating the mesh during development. Other versions use polylactic acid for the polymer for the mesh, such that the mesh is decomposable over time. Jiffy Pellets and Jiffy Growblocks are supplied as dried, highly compressed discs of growth medium which must be watered to reconstitute the product into a useable growing module. US 10,398,091 describes an alternative plant growing container having a generally conventional plant pot holding a plant growth medium and in which a seed may be sown or in which a growing plant is potted. The container includes a pliable cover having an aperture through which the stem of a growing plant may grow. The aperture is initially smaller than the expected crown of the plant at its mature stage of growth. The pliable cover is made of a material which allows the growing plant stem to increase the area of the aperture as the plant grows, whilst maintaining a substantially sealing contact between the aperture and the stem, such that the cover creates a moisture barrier between the interior and the exterior of the container. Micro holes may be provided in the base or walls of the container to allow nutrient fluid to enter the container; the micro holes are designed to prevent plant roots penetrating from the interior of the container.

A further alternative system, particularly suitable for hydroponic plant cultivation systems, involves the use of blocks of mineral wool as the medium in which the roots of the plant develop. Typically, a plug-germinated plant is placed into a cavity preformed in an upper surface of a block of mineral wool, such as stone wool. The cavity is shaped and dimensioned to correspond with the shape and dimension of the plug. Series of blocks of increasing sizes are available such that established plants may be transplanted in a conventional manner into larger blocks as their root systems grow. Some plants fail to thrive when grown in mineral wool blocks and the blocks are not biodegradable.

WO 2020/018993 describes a semi-automated plant growing system for growing-on plants, which comprises a container configured to hold a living plant root mass in a growth medium. The container has a pliable cover which comprises a hole to permit the shoot of a growing plant to pass through. The container has openings in its base or walls to permit fluid communication with a nutrient solution. The holes must be sufficiently small to prevent plant roots passing through. Young plants are introduced into the system at a loading stage and transported through the system in a conveyor-type assembly. As the plants move through the system, they are exposed to water and nutrient supplies and to light. The system further includes a plant unloading stage at which grown plants are removed from the system.

US 2017/020095 proposes a system in which a coco pod is provided, the pod having at least one layer of coconut coir fibre and a hole for receiving a plant's roots. The system includes a nutrient solution, and a container for holding the coco pod and the nutrient solution, such that the coco pod is at least partially immersed in the nutrient solution and the plant's roots are continuously exposed to the nutrient solution and substantially protected from sunlight. The present invention seeks to provide an alternative approach to plant propagation systems, in particular to provide apparatus and systems which provide a clean or sterile growing environment and are suitable for automation.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In a first aspect, the present invention provides a system for growing a plant, the system comprising a plant propagation material and a capsule for growing the plant propagation material, wherein the capsule comprises: a shell; a cover sealed to the shell thereby defining a cavity; a plant growing medium for receiving plant propagation material, the plant growing medium being reliably contained within the cavity; and a root aperture formed or formable in the shell, such that, in use of the system, a plant root grows through the root aperture.

In certain embodiments, the plant propagation material is at least one seed or vegetative propagation material, such as a stem or leaf cutting.

In certain embodiments, the system further comprises a mineral nutrient solution, to which, in use of the system, the plant root is exposed.

In some embodiments, the root aperture is formable by removing a portion of the shell or by puncturing the shell.

In alternative embodiments, the shell further comprises a root aperture seal or closure and the root aperture is formable by removing, puncturing or dissolving the root aperture seal or closure, optionally the root aperture seal or closure is a mesh or fabric, optionally a biodegradable mesh or fabric, further optionally a non-woven fabric.

Suitably, the shell is a moulded plastic shell, optionally a biodegradable plastic shell, or a composite material. Optionally, the shell is formed of a resilient material.

Optionally, the shell has a basket, mesh or net construction.

In some embodiments, the cover is a film, optionally a biodegradable film, a paper sheet or a metal foil, optionally an aluminium foil; further optionally the cover is piercable. In some embodiments, the plant growing medium is a coco peat growing medium and/or an agar plant growing medium.

In some embodiments, the plant growing medium is inoculated with a microbial volatile organic compound-producing organism, optionally Cladosporium sphaerospermum strain TC09.

In some embodiments, the capsule is provided with a machine-readable label. The label indicates at least one of: a name of the plant, and an orientation for the capsule; optionally wherein the machine-readable label is a coded machine-readable label; further optionally wherein the coded machine-readable label is a barcode or QR code.

In some examples, the capsule is further provided with a machine-readable tag, optionally a RFID tag.

In some embodiments, a seed is provided to the plant growing medium by: (i) applying or inserting the seed into the plant growth medium prior to sealing the cover to the shell, or (ii) piercing the cover or shell and inserting the seed into the plant growth medium through the cover.

In certain embodiments, the system further comprises a needle seeder apparatus coupled to a seed reservoir, wherein the apparatus is arranged such that, in use, a needle seeder places one or more seeds from a reservoir of seeds in the seed reservoir into the plant growing medium in the cavity by piecing the cover or shell.

In some embodiments, the plant propagation material is a vegetative propagation material in the form of a plant cutting. Suitably, the cover is piercable such that the plant cutting is provided to the plant growing medium by piercing the cover and inserting the cutting into the plant growing medium through the cover.

In some embodiments, the system further comprises a transportation module comprising a sleeve to receive the capsule and the plant, optionally wherein the sleeve comprises a retaining portion for retaining the plant root within the sleeve, optionally the retaining portion comprises a water reservoir for providing water and, further optionally, nutrients to the plant root. Suitably, the system further comprises a plant cutting apparatus for obtaining a plant cutting from a plant and a transplanting apparatus to transplant the plant cutting into the capsule by piercing the cover of the capsule and inserting the cutting into the plant growing medium through the cover.

In certain embodiments, the shell of the capsule is provided with a lip, rim or flange to engage with robotic devices.

In some embodiments, the system further comprises a capsule manipulation assembly for placing a plurality of capsules into an array, the array having a capsule density, whereby in use, the capsules are manipulated to reduce the capsule density of the array to provide additional space around each capsule for plant growth.

In some embodiments, the system further comprises a generator apparatus for generating micro- and/or nano-bubbles from at least one gas and introducing the micro- and/or nano bubbles to a mineral nutrient solution to which the plant root is exposed. Optionally, at least 50%, of the micro- and/or nano-bubbles generated have a diameter of less than 1000nm, optionally less than 500 nm, optionally less than 60 nm or less, optionally 20 nm or less. In some examples, the micro- and/or nano-bubbles are generated in the presence of one or a mixture of gases selected from oxygen, nitrogen, CO2 and air.

In some embodiments, the system further comprises means for admixing the micro- or nano bubbles with one or more compounds capable of inducing a change in a phenotype or a physiology of a plant.

In some embodiments, the system further comprises means for adding a microbial volatile organic compound to the micro- and/or nano-bubbles, optionally Cladospoium sphaerospermum strain TC09, to the micro- and/or nano-bubbles.

In a second aspect, the present invention provides a plant propagation capsule comprising: a shell; a cover, the cover being sealed to the shell thereby defining a cavity; a plant growing medium, the plant growing medium being reliably contained within the cavity; and a root aperture formed or formable in the shell, through which root aperture a plant root can grow during use of the capsule. In some embodiments, the root aperture is formable by removing a portion of the shell or by puncturing the shell.

In some embodiments, the shell further comprises a root aperture seal or closure and the root aperture is formable by removing, puncturing or dissolving the root aperture seal or closure, optionally the root aperture seal or closure is a mesh or fabric, optionally a non-woven fabric; further optionally a biodegradable mesh or fabric.

In some embodiments, the cover is a film, preferably a biodegradable film, a paper sheet, or a metal foil, optionally aluminium foil. Optionally the cover is piercable such that the plant propagation material, optionally a seed or plant cutting, can be inserted into the plant growing medium through an aperture pierced into the cover.

In some embodiments, the plant growing medium is a coco peat growing medium and/or an agar plant growing medium.

In some embodiments, the plant growing medium is inoculated with a microbial volatile organic compound-producing organism, optionally Cladosporium sphaerospermum strain TC09.

In some embodiments, the capsule is provided with a computer-readable label. The label indicates at least one of a name of the plant and an orientation for the capsule; optionally the computer-readable label is a coded computer-readable label; further optionally the coded computer-readable label barcode or QR code.

In some embodiments, the shell of the capsule is provided with a lip, rim or flange to engage with robotic devices. Optionally, the shell is formed of a resilient material.

In a third aspect, the present invention provides a method of preparing a packaged plant propagation material, the method comprising the steps of: i) providing a biodegradable shell having a neck defining an opening to the shell and a shell wall comprising a plurality of apertures formed or formable therein; ii) positioning a biodegradable net or mesh into the shell to contact the plurality of apertures; iii) dispensing a quantity of plant growing medium into the net or mesh in the shell; iv) sealing the shell; and v) placing at least one plant propagation material into the plant growing medium. In some embodiments, the quantity of plant growing medium is a metered quantity of plant growing medium.

In a fourth aspect, the present invention provides a method of producing a plant growing capsule, the method comprising the steps of: i) providing a shell having a neck defining an opening to the shell and a shell wall, defining a cavity; ii) dispensing a metered quantity of plant growing medium into the cavity; and iii) sealing the shell, thereby reliably containing the plant growing medium within the cavity.

In some embodiments, the metered quantity is dispensed with an apparatus comprising a reservoir for storage of the plant growing medium and a volumetric metering device in fluid communication with the reservoir.

In some embodiments, the step of sealing the shell comprises applying a seal or cover to the neck of the shell.

In some embodiments, the step of sealing the shell comprises sealing the shell with a film or foil material.

In some embodiments, the cover is at least one layer of a film, preferably a biodegradable film, optionally a polylactic acid film; a paper sheet; or a metal foil, optionally an aluminium foil; optionally wherein the cover is piercable.

In some embodiments, the cover is formed of a material acting as a fungal spore filter.

In some embodiments, at least one seed is placed into the plant growing medium prior to sealing the shell.

In some embodiments, at least one seed is placed into the plant growing medium after sealing the shell by piercing the cover, optionally, the seed is placed using a needle seeder.

In some embodiments, a plant cutting is placed into the plant growing medium after sealing the shell by piercing the cover. In some embodiments, the method further comprises adding water and/or at least one plant nutrient to the plant growing medium.

In some embodiments, the plant growing medium is a coco peat growing medium and/or an agar plant growing medium.

In a fifth aspect, the present invention provides a method of growing a plant, the method comprising the steps of: (i) providing a capsule having a shell, and a cover sealable to the shell, thereby defining a cavity; (ii) substantially filling the cavity with a plant growing medium; (iii) sealing the cover to the shell, (iv) providing at least one plant propagation material in the plant growing medium by piercing the cover; (v) growing a plant from the plant propagation material, whereby a stem of the plant grows through the cover; (vi) forming or providing a root aperture in the shell; and (vii) allowing a plant root to grow through the root aperture.

In some embodiments, the method further comprises exposing the plant root to a mineral nutrient solution.

In some embodiments, the root aperture is formed by removal of a portion of the shell or by puncturing the shell.

In some embodiments, the shell further comprises a root aperture seal and the root aperture is formed by removing, puncturing or dissolving the root aperture seal, optionally the root aperture seal is a mesh, optionally a biodegradable mesh.

In some embodiments, the plant propagation material is a seed or a plant cutting.

In some embodiments, the step of providing at least one plant propagation material comprises: (i) placing a seed in the plant growing medium prior to sealing the cover to the shell; or (ii) piercing the cover or shell to insert the seed into the plant growth medium.

In some embodiments, the step of providing at least one plant propagation material comprises piercing the cover and inserting a vegetative plant material such as a plant cutting into the plant growing medium. In some embodiments, the plant growing medium is inoculated with a microbial volatile organic compound-producing organism, optionally Cladosporium sphaerospermum strain TC09.

In some embodiments, the capsule is a capsule as defined above or a capsule obtainable by the methods described above.

In some embodiments, the method further comprises the step of providing a sleeve to receive the capsule and the plant, optionally wherein the sleeve comprises a retaining portion for retaining the plant root within the sleeve, optionally the retaining portion comprises a water reservoir for providing water to the plant root.

In some embodiments, the method further comprises the steps of: (i) providing a plurality of capsules in an array having a capsule density; and (ii) manipulating the capsules at a point during the step of growing the plants, to reduce the capsule density of the array to provide additional space for the plants to grow.

In some embodiments, the method further comprises the step of generating micro- and/or nano-bubbles from at least one gas and introducing the micro- and/or nano-bubbles to a mineral nutrient solution to which the plant root is exposed. Optionally, at least 50%, of the micro- and/or nano-bubbles generated have a diameter of less than 1000nm, optionally less than 500 nm, optionally less than 60 nm of less, optionally 20 nm or less.

In some examples, the micro- and/or nano-bubbles are generated in the presence of one or a mixture of gases selected from oxygen, nitrogen, CO2, or air.

In some embodiments, the micro- or nano-bubbles are admixed with one or more compounds capable of inducing a change in a phenotype or physiology of the plant.

In some embodiments, the method further comprises the step of adding a microbial volatile organic compound producing organism, optionally Cladosporium sphaerospermum strain TC09, to the micro- and/or nano-bubbles.

In a further aspect, there is provided a plant growth system comprising a plant cutting apparatus for obtaining a plant cutting from a plant and a transplanting apparatus to transplant the plant cutting into a capsule as defined above. In some embodiments of the system, capsule and methods, the shell is provided with a flange. Optionally, the shell has a neck portion defining an opening to the shell and the flange is provided adjacent the neck portion or intermediate or between the neck portion and a base of the shell.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The above and other aspects of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is an exploded perspective view showing the principal elements of a first embodiment of a capsule in accordance with the present invention;

Figure 2 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of a capsule in accordance with the present invention;

Figure 3 is a perspective view of a third embodiment of a capsule in accordance with the present invention; and

Figure 4 shows several variations of a fourth embodiment of a capsule in accordance with the present invention.

Capsules

Figure 1 is a perspective view showing the principle elements of an embodiment of a capsule 10 in accordance with the present invention. Capsule 10 includes a shell 11 having an opening and defining a cavity for a plant growing medium 12. Capsule 10 includes a cover 13 which is sealed to shell 11. Cover 13 may be sealed to shell 11 by any suitable means compatible with materials used, such as adhesive and ultrasonic welding, for example. Conveniently, the opening of shell 11 includes a flange, lip or rim 14 which provides a surface against which cover 13 seals and which provides a surface to aid manipulation of the capsule, particularly by robotic devices.

Capsule 10 is of circular cross-section but other shapes are equally suitable, including square or other polygonal shapes. In typical embodiments, shell 11 has a frusto-conical wall or walls which taper inwardly from rim 14 of the shell to base 15 of the shell. Plant growing medium 12 retains plant propagation material, in use of the capsule. For example, a seed or a plant cutting is placed into plant growing medium 12.

Shell 11 is, prior to use, sealed such that plant growing medium 12 is reliably retained within the cavity of the shell. Medium 12 is also protected from contamination or changes in its condition, such as uptake or loss of water. Sterilised growing media can retain sterility and moisture content. Prior to use of the capsule, the root aperture is closed. The root aperture may be maintained in a closed configuration during a germination stage or during an initial stage of plant growth after placement of a plant cutting in medium 12, to retain moisture within plant growing medium 12 and to retain plant growing medium 12 within capsule 10 until the root system of the plant has developed sufficiently that the roots develop a root network sufficient to retain plant growing medium 12 within the developing network of roots.

A root aperture, as will be described further below, is formable in shell 11 of capsule 10. The root aperture may be formed within the body of shell 11 and may provide a removable closure or seal to the capsule, which closure or seal overlies an open portion of the body of shell 11 , or may be formed by puncturing the material of shell 11 or removal of a portion of shell 11, for example by means of a frangible portion to shell 11.

In certain embodiments, the removable closure or seal is formed of a dissolvable or rapidly biodegradable material occluding the root aperture such that the root aperture opens gradually, without requiring user intervention, as the occluding material dissolves or degrades and as the root system grows. Those skilled in the art will be readily able to determine suitable materials that dissolve or degrade at a rate compatible with the root growth characteristics of a particular plant variety.

The root aperture allows roots of the growing plant to continue to grow externally from plant growing medium 12. In certain embodiments, the root aperture may be a single aperture and may be formed in a base 15 of shell 11. In other embodiments, the root aperture is a plurality of apertures formed in at least a lower portion of shell 11, such as base 15 and at least the lower portion of the walls of shell 11. Where the root aperture comprises a plurality of apertures, the plurality of apertures may be selectively openable such that one aperture or a group of apertures may be opened initially and selectively more apertures opened as plant growth progresses.

Shell 11 could be formed as a basket or with a mesh or net construction. In certain embodiments, the shell has a moulded construction, suitably a moulded or shaped plastic, metal or composite material. In preferred embodiments, the shell is formed of a biodegradable material, such as a biodegradable plastic, preferably a compostable plastic, such as polylactic acid.

In certain embodiments, shell 11 includes a liner (not shown) to aid in retaining plant growing medium 12. The liner is advantageously formed of a biodegradable woven or non-woven mesh or fabric.

Cover 13 is formed of a material which is compatible with the material of shell 11 and is conveniently formed as a film or mesh, optionally two or more overlayered layers of film or mesh. Suitable materials include biodegradable plastic films, paper or metal films, such as aluminium film. Polylactic acid film is particularly suitable and, as a polylactic acid mesh or non-woven fabric, has been observed to act as a fungal spore filter, allowing volatile organic compounds present in the plant growing medium to pass through the cover, providing further advantages as discussed above.

Preferably, cover 13 is applied to shell 11 such that cover 13 is taut across the opening to the cavity, to aid, where required, piercing of the cover by being able to withstand the pressure of a needle seeder or other piercing apparatus, for example.

Assembled capsules may be subjected to a sterilisation procedure, suitably by autoclaving. Advantageously, in certain embodiments, the shell is formed of a material which shrinks slightly when exposed to heat, causing the shell to shrink and compress the contained growing medium.

Plant growing medium 12 is chosen having regard to the growing requirements of the plant with which the system will be used. In some embodiments, plant growing medium 12 may include a coco peat growing medium, an agar plant growing medium and/or a loam-based compost or mixtures thereof.

Advantageous results have been obtained using a fine grade (<4mm grade and preferably <2mm) coco peat, particularly a buffered coco peat.

The root aperture arrangement of the capsules of the present invention provides ease of access to the root zone of the plant. This is highly advantageous in particular environments. For example, where access to the root system is required for application of compounds to enhance or influence growth or induce a change in the phenotype, genotype or chemistry of the plant. In this context, advantageously, in certain embodiments, one or more microbial volatile organic compound (MVOC) is applied to the roots of the plant. In preferred embodiments of the capsule of the present invention, all the materials from which the capsule are made are biodegradable, preferably compostable.

Root apertures

Figure 2 shows a capsule 20 having a shell 21 and a cover 22 applied thereto as described above. Shell 21 is formed having a grid-like skeleton of horizontal 23 and vertical 24 ribs forming apertures 25 therebetween. Corresponding ribs (not shown) are formed in the base of shell 21. Prior to use, apertures 25 are closed, suitably by means of a tape or cover (not shown) adhered or otherwise applied to shell 21. Shell 21 is suitably formed from a plastics material, for example by injection moulding.

Figure 3 shows a capsule 30 having a shell 31 and cover 32 applied thereto as described above. In this embodiment, a lower portion of shell 31 is formed with a mesh or net-like structure of apertures 33, defining the root aperture, and an upper portion of the shell has a neck portion 34. In some modifications, the mesh or net-like structure 33 extends to the lip or rim of the shell. As with the embodiment of Figure 2, a removable closure is provided to provide an initial closure to the apertures, which may conveniently be a dissolvable or biodegradable composition.

Embodiments having this type of construction may be formed as a single injection moulded plastics unit in which the mesh or net-like structure is co-moulded with neck portion 34 or with the lip or rim. Alternatively, the mesh or net-like structure defining the root aperture may be formed of a woven or non-woven fabric mounted to the neck portion 34 or to the lip or rim. A closure film may be applied to the fabric to close the root aperture or the fabric may be impregnated with a dissolvable or degradable composition as described above.

An alternative arrangement is illustrated in Figure 4, which shows an inverted capsule 40 having a frusto-conical wall 41 , tapering towards a base 42. In Figure 4(a), base 42 includes a root aperture in the form of a single, central aperture 43(a). In Figure 4(b), base 42 includes a plurality of elongate slots 43(b) similar to those described above with respect to the embodiment of Figure 2. Figure 4(c) shows a base 43(c) having a mesh or net-like structure as described above with respect to the embodiment of Figure 3.

In certain embodiments, the root aperture arrangement is restricted to the base of the shell. In other embodiments, the root aperture arrangement is provided in both the walls and base of the shell. A principle advantage of the root aperture arrangement of the capsules of the present invention is to provide ease of access to the root zone of the plant for allowing the introduction of compounds, especially via a nanobubble mixture, such as microbial volatile organic compounds or nucleic acids, at any stage of the germination and growth of the plant.

Advantageously, a seed of the desired plant variety is sown into the plant growth medium at the manufacturing stage. The seed may be sown prior to application of cover 22, 32 or may be sown after application of the cover, through the cover, using a needle seeder, for example. The combination of a needle seeder and capsules forms a further aspect of the system of the present invention.

Production of sealed capsules

In accordance with certain aspects of the present invention, plant growing medium 12 is introduced to capsule 10 in a metered or dosed fashion. Conventional methods of mechanising plant pot filling involve passing plant pots under a continuous flow of compost to over-fill the pot with compost and then passing the pot under a horizontal blade which removes excess compost. Excess compost is collected and recirculated for reuse.

A metering or dosing apparatus can be provided with a reservoir for storage of the material to be dispensed. The reservoir feeds the material into a metering chamber, typically under gravity or by means of a delivery device such as a screw pump or the use of positive air pressure. The metering chamber may include a rotatable subassembly comprising a plurality of sub-chambers, each of which has the same volume, thereby defining the metered volume, and each of which is fed with the material from the reservoir. Rotation of the subassembly causes each sub-chamber, in turn, to align with an outlet through which the material to be dispensed falls under gravity.

By metering the plant growing medium into to the shell of the capsule of the present invention, there is no excess of medium that needs to be collected or recycled to the process. Collection and recirculation of compost in the known procedures introduces contamination of the plant growing medium and results in a non-sterile process.

In preferred embodiments of the present invention, each shell is filled fully with plant growing medium 12 and cover 13 is sealed to shell 11 in an automated process.

By use of metered dosing of plant growing medium into a capsule of the present invention, greater control can be maintained over the quality of the medium. Additionally, by providing a capsule in accordance with the present invention, the plant growing medium is retained within the capsule throughout the plant growing and harvesting process, such that the entire system has the capability to remain clean and sterile from start to finish.

The configuration of capsule 10 with sealed cover 13 and rim 14 provides significant advantages to a propagation system since plant growing medium 12 is fully contained, such that capsule 10 can be manipulated without loss of plant growing medium 12, maintaining a clean propagation system, combined with access to root systems, which provides the additional advantages discussed herein.

Particularly advantageously, by being able to provide an automated process for production of sealed capsules of the present invention, it has become possible to provide packaged plant propagation products for use with sterilised plant growing medium. Conventionally, whilst sterilisation of plant growth medium is commonplace, to remove pathogens which could be potentially harmful to the growing plant, maintaining that sterility has been difficult. The present invention provides packaged plant propagation products which, as a result of the controlled metering and the sealing of the capsule are able to maintain uniformity between capsules and sterility of the growing medium up to the point at which the capsule is prepared for seed germination or insertion of a plant cutting. This leads to an improvement in plant viability and a reduction in plant growth variability, which is particularly advantageous.

Additionally, capsules produced by this method are able to have a long storage-life.

Furthermore, in combination with climate-controlled growing rooms and centres, the entire plant growing process can be more carefully controlled, especially as regards sterility and hygiene, from start to finish, from preparation of the plant growing medium, shell-filling, seeding or planting a plant cutting, spacing out, growing on, and harvesting or sale as a living plant.

Propagation methods

The capsules and systems of the present invention provide the means for a propagation method comprising a first step of producing a sealed capsule. The sealed capsules have particular advantages in propagation methods which require or benefit from a clean or sterile environment. Examples of such methods are provided herein.

In one embodiment: - A plurality of sealed capsules is prepared by filling the cavity of each capsule with a metered amount of sterile coco peat using an automated dispensing and sealing apparatus, as discussed above. The coco peat is then reliably contained within the capsule throughout the plant growing protocol, thereby allowing for a sterile plant growth protocol.

- The capsules are contained within an array or tray. The array is sited in a vertical farm under controlled environment conditions.

- A seed is placed into the coco peat contained within the capsule by piercing the cover of the sealed capsule, using a needle seeder apparatus, for example. The seeds germinate.

- As the seedlings grow, the stem of each seedling grows through the cover of the sealed capsule. If appropriate, the cover can be pierced at a suitable time to allow the stem to grow through the cover.

- Alternatively, rather than providing a seed to each capsule, the cover of each capsule in the array is pierced and a plant cutting, such as a stem or leaf cutting, is inserted into the plant growth medium through the pierced cover.

- Once the seed or cutting has developed roots, a root aperture is provided in the sealed capsule to allow the roots of the growing plant to penetrate from the sealed capsule as they grow.

- The exposed roots are provided with a mineral nutrient solution as part of a hydroponic system. The solution can be provided with nanobubbles, optionally admixed with a compound capable of inducing a change in the phenotype, genotype, chemistry or physiology of the growing plant.

- At a suitable time during the growing procedure, the capsules are robotically spread out within the array to reduce their density and to provide additional space for the plants to grow. Each capsule comprises a resilient flange for automated robotic movement of the capsules within or outside the array.

- Once suitable plant growth has been achieved, the capsules and the plants contained therein are packaged for transportation by automated robotic movement of the capsules by engagement with the flange, from the array into suitable packaging.

Cuttings The capsules of the present invention are advantageous for use in methods involving automated transplanting or sticking processes and apparatus. Since the capsules reliably contain plant growth medium within a sealed cavity and since the capsules can be provided with a flange to engage robotic devices, use of the capsules enables enhanced robotic manipulation within a propagation procedure. In preferred embodiments of this aspect, the apparatus combines an automated or mechanised vegetative propagation material cutter, to remove a cutting from a mother plant, with the transplanting or sticking functionality. This arrangement is particularly advantageous in combination with machine-readable labelling functionality, for tracking lineage of transplanted cuttings.

In certain embodiments, the capsule is additionally provided with a machine-readable label, such as a coded label, conveniently a barcode of QR code. The coded label can provide an identification of the plant variety. The label can also provide an indication of the correct orientation of the capsule. The labelling can assist in mechanised manipulation of the capsules, both at the initial germination stage and at later stages. For example, if it is possible to know and maintain the orientation of a capsule, high speed cutting of the plant can be made more accurate. Providing plant modules in a modular plant propagation system with a machine-readable label forms another distinct aspect of the present invention.

Soil-less systems

The plant propagation system of the present invention is highly advantageous in soil-less growth systems, such as hydroponic, aquaponic and aeroponic growth systems, which allow plant growth under controlled conditions, and in vertical farming installations. In hydroponic systems, the roots of a growing plant are provided with water and nutrients without the use of soil or similar growth medium. The roots of the plant are exposed and sit in a water supply which contains a mineral nutrient mixture, typically containing sources of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium, considered essential for the growth of plants, and calcium, magnesium and iron. Such nutrient mixtures are well-known in the art and will not be described further here. Such hydroponic systems can further incorporate, for example, nanobubble technology to enhance plant growth or to deliver specific compounds to the plant roots, as discussed further below. In vertical farming installations, plants are grown in vertically stacked layers, often in a controlled environment, often incorporating soil-less systems. The system of the present invention provides advantages to each of these growth systems in providing and maintaining a clean growing environment and in allowing automation at various stages of plant propagation. Accordingly, in a further aspect, the system of the present invention includes a hydroponic growth system including one or more capsules of the invention.

The capsules of the present invention provide a highly convenient method for transferring plants from the germination and/or initial growth stage to a hydroponic growth system. The capsule provides a resilient container for an automated mechanised transfer system to transfer growing plants into a hydroponic growth system without needing to contact the growing plant and without risking damage to the growing root system. The lip or rim to the shell forms a flange against which a collector of an automated plant transfer apparatus can bear to pick up and transfer the capsule from one area to another. In other embodiments, a flange may be formed at a point intermediate or between the top of the shell and the base of the shell.

Accordingly, the system of the present invention includes, in some embodiments, a transfer apparatus for transferring capsules from a plant germination and/or growth station to a hydroponic growth system.

In certain embodiments, the system further comprises a tray having a plurality of apertures, each aperture shaped and dimensioned to receive a respective capsule.

In hydroponic systems, the water must be aerated to provide a source of oxygen for uptake by the plant through the root system. Without proper oxygenation, plants growing in hydroponic solutions will not survive. In preferred systems, the hydroponic growth system includes a system of introduction of oxygen to the water of the hydroponic system in the form of nano- and/or microbubbles. The use of nano- or microbubbles (also referred to as ultrafine bubbles) maintains a level of dissolved oxygen in the water that improves the uptake by the roots of standard growth fertiliser compounds.

WO2017/156410 discusses providing a composition containing nanobubbles dispersed in a liquid carrier with another liquid to create an oxygen-enriched composition that is then applied to plant roots. Such a composition can promote germination or growth of plant seedlings. EP2460582 discusses the production of super-micro bubbles of several hundred nm to several dozen pm in size (diameter) and ways in which such bubbles can be provided. EP3721979 relates to a charged nanobubble dispersion liquid, a manufacturing method thereof and manufacturing apparatus therefor, and a method to control the growth rate of microorganisms and plants using nanobubble dispersion liquid.

Suitably the microbubbles and / or nanobubbles may be generated using one or a mixture of gases. For example the gas may be selected from the group comprising or consisting of air, oxygen, carbon dioxide, nitrogen, hydrogen, ethylene, ethylene oxide and combinations thereof. Suitably the microbubbles or nanobubbles may be generated in the presence of oxygen to provide an oxygen-enriched liquid, which may then be applied to plant roots.

Suitably, the microbubbles or nanobubbles may be provided by any method as known in the art including swirl-type liquid flow, venturi, high-pressure dissolution, ejector, mixed vapour direct contact condensation and supersonic vibration. For example, spinning a liquid around a motor, raising the flow rate of a liquid by pump pressure; providing air or another gas or gasses to the liquid; and stirring the liquid to provide bubbles and then disrupting the bubbles to form microbubbles, or nanobubbles may be used. Alternatively, air or other gas or gasses via a jetting nozzle may be provided to a liquid such that bubbles jetted from the jetting nozzle are torn into super-micro bubbles by the force of jet flow of the liquid jetting nozzle. Alternatively, bubbles may be generated by stirring, and then passing the generated bubbles through the eyes of a mesh membrane to form nanobubbles. Alternatively, a compressor for delivering gas under pressure into liquid and a bubble generation medium may be provided, wherein the bubble generation medium consists of a high-density compound which is an electrically conductive substance. By jetting liquid in a direction substantially perpendicular to the direction in which the bubble generation medium discharges, nanobubbles may be generated as described in EP2460582. Suitably combinations of these methods or other methods known in the art may be utilised.

Most conventionally formed bubbles in a liquid easily float to the water surface and disappear. In contrast, nanobubbles may be only slightly affected by buoyancy and exist as they are in the liquid for a longer period of time. Suitably, a nanobubble as used in the present invention may have lifetime of at least one hour, at least 2 hours, at least 3 hours, at least 5 hours, at least 1 day, at least 1 week, for at least one month or for at least three months under ambient pressure and temperature. Suitably a nanobubble may have high gas solubility into the liquid due to its high internal pressure.

Suitably a microbubble or nanobubble mixture may be provided, for example a micro- or nano bubble with a bubble diameter of 200nm-10pm.

Suitably the nanobubbles may be positively or negatively charged nanobubbles. For example the nanobubbles may have a zeta potential of 10 mV to 200 mV, or -10 mV to -200 mV. Suitably the nanobubbles may have a zeta potential of 5 mV to 150 mV, or -5 mV to -150 mV. Suitably, stability of the nanobubbles may be provided due to negatively charged surfaces of the nanobubble. Suitably, pH may be used to generate charged micro- or nano-bubbles. Suitably electrical fields may be used to provide and / or change the zeta potential of micro- and / or nanobubbles Suitably a nanobubble refers to a bubble that has a diameter of less than one micron. A microbubble, which is larger than a nanobubble, is a bubble that has a diameter greater than 1 micrometre in diameter.

Suitably at least 50% of the nanobubbles generated have a diameter of less than 300 nm, suitably 80 nm of less, optionally 20 nm or less.

Suitably a nanobubble may have a mean diameter less than 500 nm or less than 200 nm, or ranging from about 20 nm to about 500 nm (e.g., from about 75 nm to about 200 nm).

Suitably a concentration of nanobubbles in a liquid carrier may be at least 100 kilo counts per second (kcps), for example as determined using a Zetasizer (Zetasizer Nano ZS) or suitable apparatus.

Suitably, a mixture of micro- and / or nanobubbles and a compound capable of inducing a change in the phenotype, genotype chemistry, or physiology of the plant, in particular an epigenetic regulator, can be provided to a plant for at least 1 hour, at least 4 hours, at least 12 hours, at least 24 hours, at least 48 hours, at least 7 days, at least 10 days, at least 14 days, at least 20 days, or over the lifetime of the plant.

Suitably a mixture of micro- and/ or nanobubbles and a compound capable of inducing a change in the phenotype, genotype chemistry, or physiology of the plant, in particular an epigenetic regulator, can be provided to a plant for at least 1 hour, at least 4 hours, at least 12 hours each day over the lifetime of the plant. Suitably exposure of the plant to the micro- and / or nanobubble and compound mixture can occur at less than 1 hour post-germination, at 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 , 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21 , 22, 23, or 24 hours post germination, or at 1 , 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 15, 20, 25, or 30 days post-germination, or at 1 , 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, or 12 months post-germination, or at 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, or more years post-germination. Germination occurs with the emergence of the radicle.

In certain embodiments, the plant growth medium contains additional components which have an effect upon the growing plant. For example, US2020/0045980 discusses the use of one or more volatile organic compounds produced by Cladosporium sphaerospermum to increase at least one growth characteristic in a plant after exposure of the plant to the volatile organic compound(s) (VOCs) wherein the VOC from Cladosporium sphaerospermum were provided to the plant’s headspace. Cladosporium sphaerospermum was noted not to be required to grow in the soil with the plant to be treated as, in fact, such growth in soil may result in reduced effects on the plant's phenotype (growth, yield, etc.). Methods have been provided to provide VOCs into plant cells (Li Zhijian T., Janisiewicz Wojciech J., Liu Zongrang, Callahan Ann M., Evans Breyn E., Jurick Wayne M., Dardick Chris. (2019). Exposure in vitro to an Environmentally Isolated Strain TC09 of Cladosporium sphaerospermum Triggers Plant Growth Promotion, Early Flowering, and Fruit Yield Increase. Frontiers in Plant Science, 09- 01959 (https://doi.org/10.3389/fpls.2018.01959 - February 2019); but alternative introduction methods are required. Advantageously, the capsule and system of the present invention provide a convenient means for introduction of Cladosporium sphaerospermum strain TC09 by inoculating the plant growth medium prior to encapsulation in the shell of the inventive capsule.

Packaged plant

In certain embodiments, the claimed system further includes a sleeve attachable to the capsule to enclose the roots of the growing plant. This allows the growing plant to be transported without causing damage to the root system. In preferred embodiments, the sleeve provides a cavity for a reservoir of water, preferably containing a mineral nutrient mixture, to maintain the health of the plant during transportation. The capsule, with its growing plant, together with the sleeve, form a packaged plant which presents a wide range of commercial possibilities. For example, the plant may be a culinary or other herb and the packaged plant may be sold in supermarkets as a replacement for the current method of selling growing herbs in which the plant is sold in a small pot of compost. The packaged plant is also very useful as a method of growing plants in a high-density automated system, under ideal growing conditions, prior to selling plants for potting on by commercial or other growers.

Suitably, as discussed herein, the term plant includes leaf plants, fruit plants, grains and algae, or mosses and encompasses ornamental and functional plants and may be a seed or another plant part, such as a leaf, a piece of stem, pollen, anther, embryo, or any other stem cells of the plant from which new plants can be grown. Suitably a plant tissue (explant) may be incubated on solid media containing nanobubbles and compounds to enhance uptake of transformation vectors, etc. into recalcitrant plant species.

The plants used may be selected from the group comprising higher or vascular plants adapted to synthesise metabolites in a large quantity. Suitably a plant may include hemp, maize/corn, soy, rice, wheat, potato, sugarcane, arbuscular mycorrhiza fungi, tomato, lettuce, microgreens, cabbage, barley, tobacco, pepper, sorghum, cotton, sugar beets, or any other legumes, fruits, nuts, vegetables, pulses, flowers, or other commercial crop not inconsistent with the objectives of this disclosure.

A plant may be selected from, without limitation, energy crop plants, plants that are used in agriculture for production of food, fruit, wine, biofuels, fibre, oil, animal feed, plants used in the horticulture, floriculture, landscaping and ornamental industries, and plants used in industrial settings. Suitably a plant may comprise gymnosperms and angiosperms, flowering and non flowering. If an angiosperm, the plant can be a monocotyledon or dicotyledon. Non-limiting examples of plants that could be used include desert plants, desert perennials, legumes, (such as Medicago sativa, (alfalfa), Lotus japonicas and other species of Lotus, Melilotus alba (sweet clover), Pisum sativum (pea) and other species of Pisum, Vigna unguiculata (cowpea), Mimosa pudica, Lupinus succulentus (lupine), Macroptilium atropurpureum (siratro), Medicago truncatula, Onobrychis, Vigna, and Trifolium repens (white clover)), com (maize), pepper, tomato, Cucumis (cucumber, muskmelon, etc.), watermelon, Fragaria, other berries, Cucurbita (squash, pumpkin, etc.) lettuces, Daucus (carrots), Brassica, Sinapis, Raphanus, rhubarb, sorghum, miscanthus, sugarcane, poplar, spruce, pine, Triticum (wheat), Secale (rye), Oryza (rice), Glycine (soy), cotton, barley, tobacco, potato, bamboo, rape, sugar beet, sunflower, peach ( Prunus spp.) willow, guayule, eucalyptus, Amorphophallus spp., Amorphophallus konjac, giant reed (. Arundo donax), reed canarygrass (Phalaris arundinacea), Miscanthus giganteus, Miscanthus sp., sericea lespedeza (Lespedeza cuneata), millet, ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum, Lolium sp.), Phleum pratense, Kochia (Kochia scoparia), forage soybeans, hemp, kenaf, Paspalum notatum (bahiagrass), bermuda grass, Pangola-grass, fescue (Festuca sp.), Dactylis sp., Brachypodium distachyon, smooth bromegrass, orchard grass, Kentucky bluegrass, turf grass, Rosa, Vitis, Juglans, Trigonella, Citrus, Linum, Geranium, Manihot, Arabidopsis, Atropa, Capsicum, Datura, Hyoscyamus, Lycopersicon, Nicotiana, Solanum, Petunia, Digitalis, Majorana, Ciahorium, Helianthus, Lactuca, Bromus, Asparagus, Antirrhinum, Heterocallis, Nemesis, Pelargonium, Panieum, Pennisetum, Ranunculus, Senecio, Salpiglossis, Browaalia, Phaseolus, Avena, Hordeum, and Allium.

Each document, reference, patent application or patent cited in this text is expressly incorporated herein in their entirety by reference, meaning that it should be read and considered by the reader as part of this text. That the document, reference, patent application or patent cited in the text is not repeated in this text is merely for reasons of conciseness. Reference to cited material or information contained in the text should not be understood as a concession that the material or information was part of the common general knowledge or was known in any country.

Although the invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to particular examples, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in the form and details may be made therein without departing from the scope of the present invention.