MAX FaCTS
HyDROPONIC NEWS, TIPS aND TRIvIa
Vertical Gardens Meet
interior desiGn
There’s a growing trend that combines vertical gardens
with interior design—a concept that is particularly popular
with small-space, urban dwellers. Some of the more popular designs include a tall-racked garden that is designed to
block the sun in summer and, after the leaves fall off, allow
sun in during the winter (much like vines do); a modular
system where small pots are held to the wall with strong
magnets, making it easy to pull off for watering or rearranging; and a vertical, self-sustaining planter system that
harnesses hydroponic technology.
(Source: treehugger.com)
MAXFACTS
HyDROPONIC NEWS, TIPS aND TRIvIa
identifyinG disease-carryinG aphids can reduce
insecticide use
Scientists from the United States Department of Agriculture have found a way to distinguish aphids
that spread plant viruses from those that do not by using protein biomarkers. They discovered that
the insect’s ability to transmit yellow dwarf viruses was linked to the presence or absence of nine
proteins found in the insect's cells. Aphids do not need all nine biomarker proteins to spread the
virus, but there are some that are essential.
The findings are expected to lead to development of a test to identify potential disease vectors.
Currently insecticides are used to control aphids and reduce the incidence of some viruses;
however, this method is not the most effective since not all aphids transmit viruses and spraying is
expensive and can harm the environment, people and animals.
(Source: ars.usda.gov)
alGae Grown
for fuel
id
h
Ap
Arizona-based algae biofuels company Heliae has decided
to try harnessing the growth of algae on a commercial
scale. By promoting the scaled production of algae,
Heliae’s technology will allow its partners to access markets of functional foods, animal feeds, fuels, chemicals,
pharmaceutical and cosmetics. However, the company’s
main goal is to create a sustainable source for transportation fuels.
“We will never take our eyes off the transportation fuels,”
says Dan Simon, president and CEO of Heliae, talking to
Forbes. “But there are stepping stones to get us there.”
(Source: inhabitat.com)
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Maximum Yield USA | July 2012