Patent Abstract:
A method of growing plants in high salinity is hereby presented. The method comprises steps of obtaining a pressurised cultivation system (PCS) having a pressure vessel for growing at least one plant on a media or substrate, the pressure vessel housing at least the roots of said at least one plant, a source of saline water and a high pneumatic pressure production unit operatively connected to said pressure vessel for providing higher than ambient pressure to said pressure vessel, thereby maintaining said roots of said at least one plant under high pressure during growth, planting a plant in the pressure vessel such that at least a portion of said roots are hermetically sealed within said pressure vessel, providing saline or brackish water to said media and pressurising said vessel. Systems and devices for the above are described.

Full Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    The present patent application claims priority from IL Patent Application 215501, filed Mar. 10, 2011, entitled, “Irrigating Plants with Salty Water” which is incorporated herein by reference. 
       FIELD OF THE APPLICATION 
       [0002]    The present invention relates generally to plant growing systems, apparatus and methods, and specifically to systems, apparatus and methods of enabling plants to grow under conditions of high salinity. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    The present invention describes means and methods for growing plants in high salinity or brackish water. 
         [0004]    Crop growth is inhibited by high salt, and various techniques have been employed to extend the maximum salinity range in which plants may be grown. 
         [0005]    GB808645A discloses a process for treating water used for irrigation purposes relates to electromagnetic means for reducing salt in irrigation supply networks. 
         [0006]    U.S. Pat. No. 4,687,505A provides a method for the desalination and reclamation of irrigated soils through application to the soil of minute amounts of one or more anionic compounds having threshold properties in dilute aqueous solution. 
         [0007]    In DE3344945A the invention relates to a method and device for soilless raising and cultivation of plants, preferably in the open, on slanting: planes which are created by securing and sealing the ground surface, and in which the roots of the plants are supplied nutrients dissolved in a running water flow. 
         [0008]    EP1334781 A discloses a method of treating sediment spread over large areas selection of a plant species (12) which is resistant to salinity and able to vaporise considerable amounts of water and absorb the pollutants present in the soil, (c) sowing and cultivation in the area of a plant species (12) so that its roots form a close-knit web in the soil, 
         [0009]    US2010186298A reports methods for cultivating, plants includes placing a plant body to be cultivated on a film laid on or in water-containing, soil and substantially getting integral with the roots of the plant body appropriately together with a plant cultivation supporting body, supplying water and fertilizer to the ground soil under the film, and appropriately supplying water and/or fertilizer also above the film after the roots of the plant body and the film are substantially integrated. 
         [0010]    EP2116130A discloses a hydroponic watering system for pluriannual tree and hush plantations, wherein the water bulb where the roots of the tree are fed, is situated on the ground or partially buried, in a container that is waterproof and dark in colour to prevent sunlight from affecting the normal development of the roots. 
         [0011]    CN102057854A discloses a big seedling transplanting method for inshore saline-alkali land. Irrigation with large amounts of water to remove salt and reduce alkali, is done to provide favourable conditions for reducing salt. 
         [0012]    There remains a long felt and unmet need to provide means and methods for growing plants in high saline or brackish water. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0013]    It is an object of the present invention to disclose a method of growing plants in high salinity, said method comprising steps of obtaining a pressurised cultivation system (PCS) having a pressure vessel for growing at least one plant on a media, said pressure vessel housing at least the roots of said at least one plant, a source of saline water and a high pneumatic pressure production unit operatively connected to said pressure vessel for providing higher than ambient pressure to said pressure vessel, thereby maintaining said roots of said at least one plant under high pressure during growth; planting a plant in the pressure vessel such that at least a portion of said roots are hermetically sealed within said pressure vessel; providing saline or brackish water to said media and pressurising said vessel 
         [0014]    It is an object of the present invention to disclose the aforementioned method wherein said method further comprises steps of providing said pressure vessel with an opening such that said opening is hermetically sealable around a part of said at least one plant such that the lower portion of said at least one plant is in said pressure vessel whilst the upper portion of said at least one plant is in the ambient environment. 
         [0015]    It is an object of the present invention to disclose the aforementioned method wherein said system is provided with at least one pressure release valve. 
         [0016]    It is an object of the present invention to disclose the aforementioned method wherein said system is provided with at least one pressure release valve. 
         [0017]    It is an object of the present invention to disclose the aforementioned method wherein said system is provided with at least one pressure sensor. 
         [0018]    It is an object of the present invention to disclose the aforementioned method wherein said system is provided with at least one sensor selected from the group consisting of water salinity sensor, humidity sensor, light intensity sensor, temperature sensor, oxygen sensor, leaf transpiration sensor or any other pertinent sensor for the plant or the media or substrate or atmosphere or environment in which the root or rhizosphere is grown. 
         [0019]    It is an object of the present invention to disclose the aforementioned method wherein said system is provided with at least one water flow valve at the inflow to said pressure vessel. 
         [0020]    It is an object of the present invention to disclose the aforementioned method wherein said system is provided with at least one water flow valve at the outflow of said pressure vessel. 
         [0021]    It is an object of the present invention to disclose the aforementioned method wherein said system is adapted for growing several plants from a single pressure vessel. 
         [0022]    It is an object of the present invention to disclose the aforementioned method wherein said system is provided with a battery of pressure vessels. 
         [0023]    It is an object of the present invention to disclose the aforementioned method wherein said system is adapted for growing plants by any method from the group consisting of soiless culture, aeroponics, aquaponics, aquascaping, Hydroponics, Passive hydroponics or any combination thereof. 
         [0024]    It is an object of the present invention to disclose the aforementioned method wherein said system is adapted for growing plants by any method selected from the group consisting of soiless culture, methods of growing detached from the soil, Aquatic gardening, •Bottle gardening, bubbleponics, Deep water culture, Ebb and flow methods, fogponics microponics, Nutrient film techniques, Organic hydroponics, •Sub-irrigated planter methods or any combination thereof. 
         [0025]    It is an object of the present invention to disclose the aforementioned method wherein said pressure vessel is provided with at least one media or substrate selected from the group consisting of soil, growstones, charcoal, Coco peat, peat moss, Coco fibers, Diatomaceous earth, Gravel, Perlite, Pumice, Rockwool, Sand •Vermiculite, Parboiled rice hulls, dolomites, basalt, expanded clay, aggregate, chalk, limestone, artificial polymer substrates, organic matter, mineral medium, organic medium and inert medium and any combination between them or any proportion thereof. 
         [0026]    It is an object of the present invention to disclose the aforementioned method wherein said system is provided with at least one accessory selected from the group consisting of Drip irrigation components growlight, hydroponic dosers, Irrigation sprinklers, Leaf sensors, Net-pots, Spray nozzles, Timers, Ultrasonic foggers, Water chillers. 
         [0027]    It is an object of the present invention to disclose the aforementioned method wherein said pressure vessel comprises an inflatable balloon open at one hermetically sealable end for enclosing said roots. In some embodiments all the root system may be enclosed, or single root branches, or parts of root branches. 
         [0028]    It is an object of the present invention to disclose the aforementioned method wherein said pressure vessel comprises an inflatable sleeve open at at least two hermetically sealable ends for enclosing around said roots such that at least a portion of said roots protrudes from beyond at least one said sleeve opening. As in the aforementioned embodiments, all the root system may be enclosed, or single root branches, or parts of root branches. 
         [0029]    It is an object of the present invention to disclose the aforementioned method wherein said pressure vessel is adapted to be fitted to positively or negatively gravitropic aerial roots. 
         [0030]    It is an object of the present invention to disclose the aforementioned method wherein said pressure vessel is adapted to be retrofitted to a crop, plant, shrub, bush, sapling or tree which is growing in a field. 
         [0031]    It is an object of the present invention to disclose the aforementioned method wherein said pressure vessel is adapted to be fitted to a root of a scion or rootstock of a grafted plant. 
         [0032]    It is an object of the present invention to disclose the aforementioned method wherein said PCS is adapted to enable salt water to recirculated and fresh nutrients may be added as required or according to a specific protocol. 
         [0033]    It is an object of the present invention to disclose the aforementioned method wherein said salt water is provided under high pressure. 
         [0034]    It is an object of the present invention to disclose the aforementioned method wherein several pressure vessels are networked in an integrated system controlled by a central controller. 
         [0035]    It is an object of the present invention to disclose the aforementioned method wherein more than one fields or greenhouses or growing establishments are networked in an integrated system controlled by a central controller. 
         [0036]    It is an object of the present invention to disclose the aforementioned method wherein the system is further comprises a central controller and a central server adapted to receive plant physiology, plant growth, plant health or other relevant agrotechnical or agricultural data from at least some plants fitted with said pressure vessels. 
         [0037]    It is an object of the present invention to disclose the aforementioned method wherein said system is further provided with a processor for processing said plant physiology, plant growth, plant health or other relevant agrotechnical or agricultural data. 
         [0038]    It is an object of the present invention to disclose the aforementioned method wherein said system is provided with a computer readable medium for providing instructions to the controller to adjust the pressure in the aforementioned pressure vessels in a predetermined manner. 
         [0039]    It is an object of the present invention to disclose a pressurised cultivation system (PCS) for growing plants in high salinity having a pressure vessel for growing at least one plant on a media or substrate, said pressure vessel housing at least the roots of said at least one plant, a source of saline water and a high pneumatic pressure production unit operatively connected to said pressure vessel for providing higher than ambient pressure to said pressure vessel, thereby maintaining said roots of said at least one plant under high pressure during growth. 
         [0040]    It is an object of the present invention to further disclose the aforementioned system wherein said pressure vessel is provided with an opening such that said opening is hermetically sealable around a part of said at least one plant such that the lower portion of said at least one plant is in said pressure vessel whilst the upper portion of said at least one plant is in the ambient environment. 
         [0041]    It is an object of the present invention to disclose the aforementioned system wherein said system is provided with at least one pressure release valve. 
         [0042]    It is an object of the present invention to disclose the aforementioned system wherein said system is provided with at least one pressure sensor. 
         [0043]    It is an object of the present invention to disclose the aforementioned system wherein said system is provided with at least one water salinity sensor. 
         [0044]    It is an object of the present invention to disclose the aforementioned system wherein said system is provided with at least one water flow valve at the inflow to said pressure vessel. 
         [0045]    It is an object of the present invention to disclose the aforementioned system wherein said system is provided with at least one water flow valve at the outflow of said pressure vessel. 
         [0046]    It is an object of the present invention to disclose the aforementioned system wherein said system is adapted for growing several plants from a single pressure vessel. 
         [0047]    It is an object of the present invention to disclose the aforementioned system wherein said system is provided with a battery of pressure vessels. 
         [0048]    It is an object of the present invention to disclose the aforementioned system wherein said system is adapted for growing plants by any method from the group consisting of soiless growth, aeroponics, aquaponics, aquascaping, hydroponics, passive hydroponics or any combination thereof. 
         [0049]    It is an object of the present invention to disclose the aforementioned system wherein said system is adapted for growing plants by any method selected from the group consisting of soiless culture, Aquatic gardening, •Bottle gardening, bubbleponics, Deep water culture, Ebb and flow methods, fogponics microponics, Nutrient film techniques, Organic hydroponics, •Sub-irrigated planter methods or any combination thereof. 
         [0050]    It is an object of the present invention to disclose the aforementioned system wherein said pressure vessel is provided with at least one media or substrate selected from the group consisting of soil, growstones, charcoal, Coco peat, peat moss, Coco fibers Diatomaceous earth, Gravel, Perlite, Pumice, Rockwool, Sand •Vermiculite, Parboiled rice hulls, dolomites, basalt, expanded clay, aggregate, chalk, limestone, artificial polymer substrates, organic matter, mineral medium, organic medium and inert medium and any combination between them or any proportion thereof. 
         [0051]    It is an object of the present invention to disclose the aforementioned system wherein said system is provided with at least one accessory selected from the group consisting of Drip irrigation components growlight, hydroponic dosers, irrigation sprinklers, leaf sensors, net-pots, spray nozzles, timers, ultrasonic foggers, water chillers. 
         [0052]    It is an object of the present invention to disclose the aforementioned system wherein said pressure vessel comprises an inflatable balloon open at one hermetically sealable end for enclosing said roots. 
         [0053]    It is an object of the present invention to disclose the aforementioned system wherein said pressure vessel comprises an inflatable sleeve open at at least two hermetically sealable ends for enclosing around said roots such that at least a portion of said roots protrudes from beyond at least one said sleeve opening. 
         [0054]    It is an object of the present invention to disclose the aforementioned system wherein said pressure vessel is adapted to be fitted to positively or negatively gravitropic aerial roots. 
         [0055]    It is an object of the present invention to disclose the aforementioned system wherein said pressure vessel is adapted to be retrofitted to a crop, plant, shrub, bush, sapling or tree which is growing in a field. 
         [0056]    It is an object of the present invention to disclose the aforementioned system wherein said pressure vessel is adapted to be fitted to a root of a scion or rootstock of a grafted plant. 
         [0057]    In some embodiments all the root system may be enclosed, or single root branches, or parts of root branches. 
         [0058]    It is an object of the present invention to disclose the aforementioned system wherein said PCS is adapted to enable salt water to recirculated and fresh nutrients added as required or according to a specific protocol. 
         [0059]    It is an object of the present invention to disclose the aforementioned system wherein said salt water is provided under high pressure. 
         [0060]    It is an object of the present invention to disclose the aforementioned system wherein several pressure vessels are networked in an integrated system controlled by a central controller. 
         [0061]    It is an object of the present invention to disclose the aforementioned system wherein more than one fields or greenhouses or growing establishments are networked in an integrated system controlled by a central controller. 
         [0062]    It is an object of the present invention to disclose the aforementioned system further comprising a central controller and a central server adapted to receive plant physiology, plant growth, plant health or other relevant agrotechnical or agricultural data from at least some plants fitted with said pressure vessels. 
         [0063]    It is an object of the present invention to disclose the aforementioned system wherein said system is further provided with a processor for processing said plant physiology, plant growth, plant health or other relevant agrotechnical or agricultural data. 
         [0064]    It is an object of the present invention to disclose the aforementioned system wherein said system is provided with a computer readable medium for providing instructions to the controller to adjust the pressure in the aforementioned pressure vessels in a predetermined manner. 
         [0065]    It is an object of the present invention to provide the aforementioned method adapted to off-shore applications such as growing crops on a vessel, rig, raft, boat or other marine installation that moves on the ocean while pumping seawater. 
         [0066]    The vessel, rig, raft, boat or other marine installation may move from one country to another or remain stationary and collect the abundant seawater. 
         [0067]    The vessel, rig, raft, boat or other marine installation may cruise between one convenient location and head to the country market while growing the crops with the aforementioned method or system and harvest freshly upon arrival at the appropriate country market. 
         [0068]    The above mentioned marine installation may be a moored, fixed floating vessel. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0069]    In order to understand the invention and to see how it may be implemented in practice, a plurality of embodiments is adapted to now be described, by way of non-limiting example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which aspects of a pressurised cultivation system (PCS) for growing plants in high salinity are illustrated|: 
           [0070]      FIG. 1  is a schematic illustration of an aspect of the present invention; 
           [0071]      FIG. 2  is a schematic illustration of an aspect of the present invention; 
           [0072]      FIG. 3  is a schematic illustration of an aspect of the present invention; and 
           [0073]      FIG. 4  is a schematic illustration of an aspect of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0074]    The following description is provided, alongside all chapters of the present invention, so as to enable any person skilled in the art to make use of the aforesaid invention, and sets forth the best modes contemplated by the inventor of carrying out this invention. Various modifications, however, are adapted to remain apparent to those skilled in the art, since the generic principles of the present invention have been defined specifically to provide means and methods for growing plants, by holding the plant roots under a high pressure environment so as to enable growth of plants in higher than normal salt conditions. 
         [0075]    In general the present invention is directed to high value greenhouse crops such as Tomato Pepper Cucumber and horticultural flowers. 
         [0076]    Embodiments of the invention are also suitable for orchards (such as apples, citrus, avocado, mango, and almond), fruit trees and viticulture, nut trees, tobacco and cotton. 
         [0077]    In other embodiments of the present invention adaptations are made to support the growth of open-field crops among them field vegetables, orchards of all kinds and broad-acre crops like: wheat, maize, cotton, soy, tobacco and the like. 
         [0078]    Definitions 
         [0079]    It is herein stated that conventional state of the art knowledge and assumptions are drawn, without being bound by theory, from the book  Plants in Action, Australian Society of Plant Scientists, New Zealand Society of Plant Biologists, and New Zealand Institute of Agricultural and Horticultural Science  1999, which is incorporated herein in it&#39;s entirety. 
         [0080]    It is herein acknowledged that plants may also include, for he purposes of the present disclosure of the invention, plant parts, calluses, cells, tissue cultures, meristems, grafts, seeds, germinated seeds, seedlings and the like. 
         [0081]    It is herein acknowledged that the term media is interchangeable with the term substrate. 
         [0082]    Osmotic pressure is the pressure which needs to be applied to a solution to prevent the inward flow of water across a semipermeable membrane. It is also defined as the minimum pressure needed to nullify osmosis. 
         [0083]    The phenomenon of osmotic pressure arises from the tendency of a pure solvent to move through a semi-permeable membrane and into a solution containing a solute to which the membrane is impermeable. This process is of vital importance in biology as the cell&#39;s membrane is selective toward many of the solutes found in living organisms. 
         [0084]    Osmotic potential is defined as the potential of water molecules to move from a hypotonic solution (more water, less solutes) to a hypertonic solution (less water, more solutes) across a semi permeable membrane. 
         [0085]    Water potential is the defined as the degree to which a solvent tends to stay in a liquid. 
         [0086]    Osmotic pressure is an important factor affecting cells. Osmoregulation is the homeostasis mechanism of an organism to reach balance in osmotic pressure.
       Hypertonicity is the presence of a solution that causes cells to shrink.   Hypotonicity is the presence of a solution that causes cells to swell.   Isotonic is the presence of a solution that produces no change in cell volume.       
 
         [0090]    When a biological cell is in a hypotonic environment, the cell interior accumulates water, water flows across the cell membrane into the cell, causing it to expand. In plant cells, the cell wall restricts the expansion, resulting in pressure on the cell wall from within called turgor pressure. 
         [0091]    Osmotic pressure is the basis of filtering (“reverse osmosis”), a process commonly used to purify water. The water to be purified is placed in a chamber and put under an amount of pressure greater than the osmotic pressure exerted by the water and the solutes dissolved in it. Part of the chamber opens to a differentially permeable membrane that lets water molecules through, but not the solute particles. The osmotic pressure of ocean water is about 27 ATM. Reverse osmosis desalinates fresh water from ocean salt water. 
         [0092]    Osmotic pressure is necessary for many plant functions. It is the resulting turgor pressure on the cell wall that allows herbaceous plants to stand upright, and how plants regulate the aperture of their stomata. 
         [0093]    Potential osmotic pressure is the maximum osmotic pressure that could develop in a solution if it were separated from distilled water by a selectively permeable membrane. It is the number of solute particles in a unit volume of the solution that directly determines its potential osmotic pressure. If one waits for equilibrium, osmotic pressure reaches potential osmotic pressure. 
         [0094]    Salinity and Crop Growth. 
         [0095]    It is well known that soil salt and water salt restricts plant growth so that crop yield is reduced, but species differ in sensitivity. Four broad categories of salt tolerance were delineated by the USDA Soil Salinity Laboratory, Riverside, from a statistical analysis of an extensive survey of published data on yield and soil salinity (measured as electrical conductivity (ECE) of a saturated extract and expressed here as deciSiemens per metre (dS m-1)). Crops representative of each category are listed in Table 1. (Based on Maas and Hoffman 1977 as quoted in the above referenced  Plants in Action ). 
         [0096]    Salts dissolved in soil water inhibit plant growth because (1) salt reduces water uptake, and (2) excessive salt becomes toxic and causes further reductions in growth. To exist in a saline soil, plants must take up water but exclude salt. 
         [0097]    Extensive research in California during the 1970s (USDA Salinity Laboratory, Riverside) provided baseline data on comparative salt tolerance for a wide range of crop plants. Statistical analysis of this far-ranging survey of crop plants showed that (1) yield did not generally decrease significantly until a salinity threshold had been exceeded, and (2) that yield generally decreased linearly with further increase in salinity. Some deviations from linearity occurred as relative crop yield dropped below 20-30%. The yield-salinity relationship becomes steeper, and threshold salinity decreases from ‘tolerant’ to ‘sensitive’ categories. Representative crops in each category highlight a number of horticultural species as sensitive or moderately sensitive, compared with cereals and coarse grains that are either moderately tolerant or tolerant. 
         [0098]    For survey purposes, soil was regarded as saline if electrical conductivity of a saturated extract was more than 4-5 dS m-1, equivalent to about 40-50 mM NaCl, and sensitive plants such as lupin are greatly reduced at this level of salinity. By contrast, tolerant plants such as barley withstand 8 dS m-1 (equivalent to about 80 mM NaCl) while specialised halophytes grow under highly saline conditions, with NaCl concentrations reaching or even exceeding that of sea water, which is about 500 mM. 
         [0099]    Table 1 shows the relative salt tolerance of selected crop plants from a broad survey by the USDA Salinity Laboratory, Riverside, corresponding to  FIG. 17.2  of the above referenced  Plants in Action . 
         [0000]    
       
         
               
               
               
               
             
           
               
                   
               
               
                   
                 Moderately 
                 Moderately 
                   
               
               
                 Sensitive 
                 Sensitive 
                 Tolerant 
                 Tolerant 
               
               
                   
               
             
             
               
                 Almond 
                 Broadbean 
                 Beet 
                 Barley 
               
               
                 Apple 
                 Cabbage 
                 Broccolli 
                 Bermuda Grass 
               
               
                 Apricot 
                 
                   Capsicum 
                 
                 Bromegrass 
                 Cotton 
               
               
                 Avocado 
                 Clover 
                 Tall Fescue 
                 Date 
               
               
                 Bean 
                 Cucumber 
                 Olive 
                 Sugarbeet 
               
               
                 Carrot 
                 Grape 
                 Ryegrass, Perennial 
               
               
                 Citrus 
                 Lettuce 
                 Safflower 
               
               
                 Onion 
                 Lucerne 
                 
                   Sorghum 
                 
               
               
                 Peach 
                 Maize 
                 Wheat 
               
               
                 Plum 
                 Peanut 
               
               
                 Strawberry 
                 Potato 
               
               
                   
                 Spinach 
               
               
                   
                 Sugarcane 
               
               
                   
                 Tomato 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
         [0100]    Table 1 above and Table 2 (Species of major crops, their families, use and region of origin From: Simmonds, N. W. 1976. Evolution of Crop Plants. Longman, London &amp; New York) below provides a non-limiting list of plants, crops and families which, the generic principles of the present invention having been described herein, are all envisaged to be subject to the novel and inventive method described herein for growing plants, by holding the plant roots under a high pressure environment so as to enable growth of plants in higher than normal salt conditions. Other plants are also contemplated to be amenable to be grown with the herein described means and methods. 
         [0000]    
       
         
               
               
               
               
             
           
               
                   
               
             
             
               
                 AGAVACEAE 
                 
                   Agave 
                 
                 Sisal and relatives 
                 Central 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Fibre 
                 America &amp; 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                 Mexico 
               
               
                 AMARANTHACEAE 
                   Amaranthus  spp 
                 Grain amaranths 
                 The Americas 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Grain 
               
               
                 ANACARDIACEAE 
                 
                   Mangifera indica 
                 
                 Mango 
                 India 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Fruit (tree) 
               
               
                 ARACEAE 
                   Alocasia, Colocasia , 
                 Edible aroids: taro, 
                 Asia; S. 
               
               
                   
                 
                   Cyrtosperma, Xanthosoma 
                 
                 eddo, dasheen, 
                 America 
               
               
                   
                   
                 tanier, yautia, 
               
               
                   
                   
                 cocoyam 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Corms &amp; leaves 
               
               
                 BOMBACACEAE 
                 
                   Ceiba pentandra 
                 
                 Kapok 
                 American &amp;/or 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Fibre from fruit 
                 Africa 
               
               
                   
                   
                 (tree) 
               
               
                 BROMELIACEAE 
                 
                   Ananas comosus 
                 
                 Pineapple 
                 S. America 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Fruit 
               
               
                 CAMELLIACEAE 
                 
                   Camelia sinensis 
                 
                 Tea 
                 SE Asia 
               
               
                 CARICACEAE 
                 
                   Carica papya 
                 
                 Papaya 
                 Tropical 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Fruit 
                 America 
               
               
                 CHENOPODIACEAE 
                 
                   Beta vulgaris 
                 
                 Sugar beet 
                 Europe 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Sugar (from root) 
               
               
                   
                   Chenopodium  spp 
                   Quinoa  and relative 
                 C.&amp; S. 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Grain 
                 America 
               
               
                 COMPOSITAE 
                 
                   Carthamus tinctorius 
                 
                 Safflower 
                 Near East 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Oilseed 
               
               
                   
                   Chrysanthemum  spp 
                 
                   Pyrethrum 
                 
                 Asia &amp; Europe 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Insecticide 
               
               
                   
                 
                   Helianthus annus 
                 
                 Sunflower 
                 USA 
               
               
                   
                 
                   Helianthus tuberosus 
                 
                 Oil Jerusalem 
               
               
                   
                   
                 artichoke 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Tubers 
               
               
                   
                 
                   Lactuca sativa 
                 
                 Lettuce 
                 Old World 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Leaves 
               
               
                 CONVOLVULACEAE 
                 
                   Ipomea batatas 
                 
                 Sweet potato 
                 Mexico, C. or 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Tubers 
                 S. America 
               
               
                 CRUCIFEREAE 
                 
                   Brassica campestris 
                 
                 Turnip &amp; relatives 
                 Mediterranian 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Storage organs, 
                 &amp; Afghanistan, 
               
               
                   
                   
                 leaves, seeds (for oil) 
                 Pakistan 
               
               
                   
                 
                   Brassica oleracea 
                 
                 Cabbages, kales etc. 
                 Mediterranian 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Leaves, buds, stems, 
                 &amp;/or Asia 
               
               
                   
                   
                 influorescence 
                 Minor 
               
               
                   
                 
                   Brassica napus 
                 
                 Swedes and rapes 
                 Europe or 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Forage; oilseed 
                 Mediterranian 
               
               
                   
                   Brassica  spp and 
                 Mustards 
                 Mediterranean 
               
               
                   
                 
                   Sinapis alba 
                 
                 Spice, oil seed, 
               
               
                   
                   
                 leaves 
               
               
                   
                 
                   Raphanus sativus 
                 
                 Radish 
                 Some area east 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Roots; leaves, seeds 
                 of 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                 Mediterranian 
               
               
                   
                   Rrippa nasturtium - 
                 Watercress 
                 Europe 
               
               
                   
                 
                   aquaticum 
                 
                 Leaves 
               
               
                 CUCURBITACEAE 
                 
                   Cucumis, sativus Cucumis 
                 
                 Cucurbits: 
                 India Africa, 
               
               
                   
                 
                   mela Citrullus, lanatus 
                 
                 Cucumber 
                 India S. Africa 
               
               
                   
                   Cucrbita  spp  Lagenaria   
                 Musk melon 
                 Americas 
               
               
                   
                 
                   niceraria 
                 
                 watremellon 
                 Africa 
               
               
                   
                   
                 squashes, pumpkins 
               
               
                   
                   
                 wh-flowered gourd 
               
               
                 DIOSCOREACEAE 
                   Dioscorea  spp 
                 Yams 
                 Asia Africa, 
               
               
                   
                   
                 roots 
                 tropical 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                 America 
               
               
                 EUPHORBIACEAE 
                   Aleurites  spp 
                 Tung 
                 China 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Oil for paints, 
               
               
                   
                   
                 varnishes 
               
               
                   
                 
                   Hevea brasiliensis 
                 
                 Rubber 
                 S. America 
               
               
                   
                 
                   Manihot esculenta 
                 
                 Cassava 
                 Tropical 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Roots 
                 America 
               
               
                   
                 
                   Ricinus communis 
                 
                 Castor 
                 Africa 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Oil for industry; 
               
               
                   
                   
                 medicinal 
               
               
                 GRAMINEAE 
                   Avena  spp 
                 Oats 
                 Near East 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Grain, straw 
               
               
                   
                 
                   Eleusine coracana 
                 
                 Finger millet Bulrush 
                 Africa 
               
               
                   
                 
                   Pennisetum americanum 
                 
                 millet 
               
               
                   
                   
                 grain 
               
               
                   
                 
                   Hordeum vulgare 
                 
                 Barley 
                 Near East 
               
               
                   
                   
                 grain 
               
               
                   
                 
                   Oryza sativa O. glaberrima 
                 
                 Asian Rice African 
                 Asia Africa 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Rice 
               
               
                   
                   
                 grain 
               
               
                   
                   Saccharum  spp 
                 Sugarcanes 
                 New Guinea 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Stems for sugar 
               
               
                   
                 
                   Secal cereale 
                 
                 Rye 
                 Near East 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Grain, straw, forage 
               
               
                   
                 
                   Sorghum bicolor 
                 
                 
                   Sorghum 
                 
                 Africa 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Sudan grasses 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Grain, straw, forages 
               
               
                   
                   Tritisecale  spp 
                 Triticale 
                 Modern 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Grain 
                 intergeneric 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                 hybrid of wheat 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                 and rye 
               
               
                   
                   Triticum  spp 
                 Wheat 
                 Near East 
               
               
                   
                   
                 grain 
               
               
                   
                 
                   Zea mays 
                 
                 Maize, corn 
                 Americas 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Grain, forage 
               
               
                   
                   Lolium, festuca, Dactylis , 
                 Tmeperate herbage 
                 Europe 
               
               
                   
                 
                   Phleum, Bromus 
                 
                 grasses 
               
               
                   
                   Panicum, Pennisetum , 
                 Tropical grasses 
                 Africa 
               
               
                   
                 
                   Cynodon 
                 
                 Herbage 
               
               
                 GROSSULARIACEAE 
                   Ribes  spp 
                 Curants 
                 Europe 
               
               
                 LAURACEAE 
                 
                   Persea americana 
                 
                 Avocado Fruit 
                 C. America 
               
               
                 LEGUMINOSEAE 
                 
                   Arachis hypogaea 
                 
                 Groundnut (peanut) 
                 S. America 
               
               
                   
                 
                   Cajanus cajan 
                 
                 Pigeon pea Grain 
                 India? 
               
               
                   
                 
                   Cicere arietunum 
                 
                 Chickpea Grain 
                 W. Asia 
               
               
                   
                 
                   Glycine max 
                 
                 Soybean Grain; oil 
                 China 
               
               
                   
                 
                   Lens culinaris 
                 
                 Lentil Grain 
                 Near East 
               
               
                   
                 
                   Medicago sativa 
                 
                 Alfalfa Forage 
                 Near East 
               
               
                   
                   Phaseoulus  spp 
                 Beans 
                 Middle &amp; S. 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                 America 
               
               
                   
                 
                   Pisum sativum 
                 
                 Peas Grain 
                 Ethiopia or 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                 Mediterranian 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                 or C. Asia 
               
               
                   
                   Trifolium  spp 
                 Clovers Forages 
                 Eastern 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                 Mediterranian 
               
               
                   
                 
                   Vicia faba 
                 
                 Field bean Grain 
                 Near east 
               
               
                   
                 
                   Vigna unguiculata 
                 
                 Cowpeas Grain, 
                 Africa 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Vegetable, fodder 
               
               
                 LILIACEAE 
                 
                   Allium 
                 
                 Onion and allies 
                 Central 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Vegetables 
                 Asia/Near East 
               
               
                 LINACEAE 
                 
                   Linum usitatissimum 
                 
                 Flax and Linseed Oil 
                 ?India 
               
               
                   
                   
                 and fibre 
               
               
                 MALVACEAE 
                 
                   Abelmoschus esculentus 
                 
                 Okra Fruits (as 
                 Africa 
               
               
                   
                   
                 vegetable) 
               
               
                   
                   Gossypium  spp 
                 Cotton Hairs on 
                 Tropical 
               
               
                   
                   
                 seeds 
                 America, 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                 Asiua, Africa 
               
               
                 MORACEAE 
                   Artocarpus  spp 
                 Breadfruit and 
                 Malaysia 
               
               
                   
                   
                 relatives Fruit 
               
               
                   
                 
                   Cannabis sativa 
                 
                 Hemp Fibre; oilseed 
                 Temperate Asia 
               
               
                   
                 
                   Ficus carica 
                 
                 Fig 
                 Southern 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                 Arabia 
               
               
                   
                 
                   Humulus lupulus 
                 
                 Hops Brewing 
                 Europe 
               
               
                 MUSACEAE 
                   Musa  spp 
                 Bananas 
                 Malaysia 
               
               
                 MYRTACEAE 
                 
                   Eugenia caryophyllus 
                 
                 Clove Oil, spice 
                 Indonesia 
               
               
                 OLEACEAE 
                 
                   Olea europaea 
                 
                 Olive Oil 
                 Near East 
               
               
                 PALMAE 
                 
                   Cocos nucifera 
                 
                 Cocount 
                 Southeast Asia 
               
               
                   
                 
                   Elaeis guineeensis 
                 
                 Oil palm Oil 
                 Africa 
               
               
                   
                 
                   Phoenix dactylifera 
                 
                 Date palm fruit 
                 N. Africa 
               
               
                 PEDALIACEAE 
                 
                   Sesamum indicum 
                 
                 Sesame Oilseed 
                 ?Ethiopia or 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                 India 
               
               
                 PIPERACEAE 
                 
                   Piper nigrum 
                 
                 Black pepper 
                 India 
               
               
                 POLYGONACEAE 
                 
                   Fagopyrum 
                 
                 Buckwheat Grain 
                 Temperate 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                 eastern Asia 
               
               
                 ROSACEAE 
                 
                   Fragaria ananassa 
                 
                 Strawberry Fruit 
                 Europe, N &amp; S. 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                 America 
               
               
                   
                   Prunus  spp 
                 Cherry, plum, peach, 
                 C. Asia, China, 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Apricot, almond 
                 N. America 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Fruit 
               
               
                   
                   Malus  &amp;  Pyrus  spp 
                 Apple and Pear 
                 Asia Minor, C. 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                 Asia 
               
               
                   
                   Rubus  spp 
                 Raspberries and 
                 Europe, N. 
               
               
                   
                   
                 blackberries 
                 America 
               
               
                 RUBIACEAE 
                   Cinchona  spp 
                 Quinine Drug 
                 Andes 
               
               
                   
                   Coffea  spp 
                 Coffee Seeds 
                 Ethiopia 
               
               
                 RURACEAE 
                   Citrus  spp 
                 Citrus fruits 
                 India 
               
               
                 SOLANACEAE 
                   Capsicum  spp 
                 Peppers 
                 C. &amp; S. 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                 America 
               
               
                   
                 
                   Lycoperscion esculentum 
                 
                 Tomato 
                 S. America 
               
               
                   
                 
                   Nicotinia tabacum 
                 
                 Tobacco Leaves 
                 Americas 
               
               
                   
                 
                   Solanum tuberosum 
                 
                 Potatoes Tubers 
                 Bolivia-Peru 
               
               
                 STERCULIACEAE 
                   Cola  spp 
                 Kola nuts (tree) 
                 Africa 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Seeds 
               
               
                   
                 
                   Theobroma cacao 
                 
                 Cacao Seeds from 
                 S. America 
               
               
                   
                   
                 fruit 
               
               
                 TILIACEAE 
                   Corchorus  spp 
                 Jute Fibre 
                 India 
               
               
                 UMBELLIFERAE 
                 
                   Daucus carota 
                 
                 Carrot Root 
                 Europe 
               
               
                 VITACEAE 
                 
                   Vitis Muscadinia 
                 
                 Grapes 
                 Middle Asia 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
         [0101]    In some embodiments of he present invention the whole root system is inserted into and maintained under pressurized conditions, and in other embodiments only part of the root system is inserted into and maintained under into pressurized conditions. In some embodiments all the root system may be enclosed, or single root branches, or parts of root branches. 
         [0102]      FIG. 1  is now referred to: Soil salt restricts plant growth so that crop yield is reduced, but species differ in sensitivity. These four broad categories of salt tolerance were delineated by the USDA Soil Salinity Laboratory, Riverside, from a statistical analysis of an extensive survey of published data on yield and soil salinity (measured as electrical conductivity (ECE) of a saturated extract and expressed here as deciSiemens per meter (dS m −1 )). Crops representative of each category are listed in Table 17.3. (Based on Maas and Hoffman 1977) 
         [0103]    Salts dissolved in soil water inhibit plant growth because (1) salt reduces water uptake, and (2) excessive salt becomes toxic and causes further reductions in growth. To exist in a saline soil, plants must take up water but exclude salt. The present invention provides a system for enclosing the roots or rhizosphere of the plant under high pneumatic pressure, so as to enable the plant to grow under higher than normal saline conditions. The present invention provides means and methods for increasing the salt exclusion properties of the roots in a given species. 
         [0104]    Reference is now made to  FIG. 2  which is a schematic representation of an exemplary embodiment, of the present invention, namely a pressurised cultivation system (PCS) for growing plants in high salinity. The aforementioned system comprises a pressurised container or vessel  240  partially filled with liquid for hydroponic growth and air, with an airtight sealable upper portion in which the plant is rooted, and a portion of the growing plant  240   a  is exposed to the air. A source of salt water and nutrients  220  is provided which is pumped into the container by a pump unit  210 . A high pressure production (compressor) and regulator unit  230  provides a high pressure environment  240   b  in the pressurised container or vessel. Salty water is injected into the system by the pump, creating pressure which is higher than the maintained pressure provided by the compressor  230 , thereby creating a pressurized environment. In such a case the pressurised environment is the result of the high pressure injection of salt water and the work done by the compressor. In some embodiments of the present invention, the salty water may be at a higher altitude than the pressurised vessels and thus the salty water supply contributes to the pressurisation by way pressure difference between a high location and a low location. Such an arrangement will be energy saving. A high pressure production and regulator unit  230  provides a high pressure environment  240   b  in the pressurised container or vessel. In some embodiments of the system a valve  290  regulates the outflow of spent salt water through the system. The spent salt water may be collected in a container  250  for further use, disposal or processing. Water pipes  260 , 270 , 280  connect the components of the system. 
         [0105]    Reference is now made to  FIG. 3  which is a schematic representation of an exemplary embodiment, of the present invention, namely a pressurised cultivation system (PCS) for growing plants in high salinity. The aforementioned system comprises a pressurised container or vessel  330  partially filled with liquid for hydroponic growth and air, with an airtight sealable upper portion in which the plant is rooted, and a portion of the growing plant  330   a  is exposed to the air. A source of salt water and nutrients  310  is provided. In some embodiments of the present invention valves  380  are provided for regulating flow from the aforementioned source. A high pressure production and regulator unit  320  provides a high pressure environment  330   b  in the pressurised container or vessel. In some embodiments of the system a valve  390  regulates the outflow of spent salt water through the system. 
         [0106]    The spent salt water may be collected in a container  340  for further use, disposal or processing. 
         [0107]    Water pipes  350 , 360 ,  370  connect the components of the system. 
         [0108]    It is herein acknowledged that in some embodiments of the invention, the pressure vessels are inflatable balloon like structures sealable around the plant root at at least one, or in other cases, two openings. 
         [0109]    In some embodiments of the present invention, where it is topographically suitable, high pressure injection of salt water is not needed, but rather the pressure difference due to altitude is used. 
         [0110]    In some embodiments of the invention the pressurised vessel provides a definition sealed environment which may be a sealed plastic box, balloon or any other structure made of a material that can withstand the pressurized conditions and support a sealed environment. 
         [0111]    Reference is now made to  FIG. 4 , which schematically illustrates aspects of some embodiments of the present invention. 
         [0112]    The plant  410  is rooted in a media or substrate  420 . The root system  460  may wholly or partially be enclosed in a pressure vessel of the invention. In a non limiting example, a pressurised vessel  430  encloses the lower end of one branch of the root system or rhizosphere, another vessel  440  encloses another branch, and another pressurised vessel  450  encloses part of the root branch. Note that pressurised vessel  450  is sleeve-like and has two sealable openings. 
         [0113]    In some embodiments of the present invention the whole root system is inserted into and maintained under pressurized conditions, and in other embodiments only part of the root system is inserted into the pressure vessel and maintained under pressurized conditions. 
         [0114]    In some embodiments of the present invention the system is so arranged as to utilize the atmospheric pressure differences between high mountain and low valley in topographically suitable areas. 
         [0115]    In some embodiments of the invention the system excess water is collected by drainage and is utilised for other uses or returned back to its source (for example in the case of seawater). 
         [0116]    In some embodiments of the invention the salt water is recirculated and fresh nutrients are added. 
         [0117]    In some embodiments of the system the salt water is provided under high pressure. 
         [0118]    In some embodiments of the present invention several pressure vessels are networked in an integrated system controlled by a central controller. 
         [0119]    In some embodiments of the present invention several fields or greenhouses or growing establishments are networked in an integrated system controlled by a central controller. 
         [0120]    In some embodiments of the invention a central controller is provided on a centralised server which receives plant physiology, plant growth, plant health or other relevant agrotechnical or agricultural data from at least some plants fitted with the above mentioned pressure vessels. The plant data is monitored and processed. The central controller is provided with a computer readable medium which provides instructions to the controller to adjust the pressure in the aforementioned pressure vessels accordingly. 
         [0121]    In some embodiments of the invention the controller and server may be on the same device. 
         [0122]    In other embodiments of the invention the controller and the server are separate. In other embodiments of the invention the server may reside on site/farm or at a remote location. 
         [0123]    Some embodiments of the present invention will provide the aforementioned method adapted to off-shore applications such as growing on a vessel, rig, raft, boat or other marine installation that moves on the ocean while pumping seawater. 
         [0124]    The vessel, rig, raft, boat or other marine installation may move from one country to another or remain stationary and collect the abundant seawater. 
         [0125]    The vessel, rig, raft, boat or other marine installation may cruise between one convenient location and head to the country market while growing the crops with the aforementioned method or system and harvest freshly upon arrival at the appropriate country market. 
       EXAMPLE 
       [0126]    A citrus plant, bitter orange,  C.×aurantium  was used in this experiment. The roots of these plants can develop a maximum osmotic pressure of 15 ATM under normal conditions. 
         [0127]    Sea water of Osmotic pressure equivalent to 28 ATM ws used, mixed with sweet water 60%:40% to achieve an osmotic pressure of 16.8 ATM. 
         [0128]    Method 
         [0129]    Plants were placed in rows with 3 plants in each row. Each row was provided with the same water mixture (WM) of 16.8% osmotic pressure. 
         [0130]    The control row was plants open to the air, under normal temperature and pressure. The experimental row was plants with their roots held under 4ATM pressure in pipes, and the WM was provided by a compressor pump. 
         [0131]    Preparation 
         [0132]    15-22 Oct. 2010, sweet water was provided atv 0.8 ATM. 
         [0133]    22-29 Oct. 2010, 50% sea water was provided at 5 ATM. 
         [0134]    22-29 Oct. 2010, 50% sea water was provided at 5 ATM. 
         [0135]    29 October-5 November 50% sea water was provided at normal pressure. 
         [0136]    From 5 th  November 50% seawater was provide at 4.2 ATM. 
         [0137]    Trial 
         [0138]    The trial lasted from 5 th  November to 19 th  December at which time the plants were inspected. 
         [0139]    Control group:
       Plant no 1 was dead, with dry roots.   Plant no. 2 was infected with fungus and weeds and appeared to have been badly affected by them.   Plant no 3 had highly necrotic leaves.       
 
         [0143]    Experimental group:
       Plant no 1 was in poor condition.   Plant no 2 was in good condition.   Plant no 3 was in good condition.       
 
         [0147]    The trial was continued until 12.02.2011 in the following manner: Surviving experimental plants were grown in pressure vessels under 4 ATM as previously described. 
         [0148]    Table 2 show the results below: 
         [0000]    
       
         
               
               
               
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
               
               
               
             
           
               
                   
                   
               
               
                   
                 A 
                 B 
                 C 
                 D 
                 E 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
             
               
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                 21 Jan. 2011 
                 Severe 
                 Green 
                 Green 
                 Green 
                 Green 
               
               
                   
                 Necrosis 
                 leaves 
                 leaves 
                 leaves 
                 leaves 
               
               
                 28 Jan. 2011 
                 Did not 
                 Green 
                 Green 
                 Green 
                 Green 
               
               
                   
                 survive 
                 leaves 
                 leaves 
                 leaves 
                 leaves 
               
               
                 05 Feb. 2011 
                 Did not 
                 Green 
                 Green 
                 Green 
                 Green 
               
               
                   
                 survive 
                 leaves 
                 leaves 
                 leaves 
                 leaves 
               
               
                 12 Feb. 2011 
                 Did not 
                 Green 
                 Slight 
                 Green 
                 Severe 
               
               
                   
                 survive 
                 leaves 
                 Necrosis 
                 Leaves 
                 Necrosis 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
         [0149]    Conclusions 
         [0150]    Growth of the above plants under higher than normal saline conditions is facilitated by placing the roots or rhizosphere under an osmotic pressure of approximately 4 ATM. 
         [0151]    The pressurised cultivation system (PCS) can be adapted and modified to grow plants in higher salinity than normal.

Technology Classification (CPC): 8