Background

Traditionally plants grow in soil compost or mixtures of compost peat and soil, where nutrient Mineral elements, water, oxygen, and other microbial flora exist to feed photosynthesis and plant growth. The traditional way of plant cultivation is the natural way of plant life. The plant searches for nutrients by root development and extension in search of water and nutrients embedded in the soil compost mix. With this method of nutrient acquisition, the elements and water are slowly leached by the root zone as the plant searches for ever-increasing bio elements for life health and reproduction. To sustain a healthy plant metabolism, water must be present for the plant to receive the nutrients for optimal health and flower fruit formation.

As the plants grow, they require more nutrients on an ever-increasing scale. Due to this, the plants must increase root development and mass to supply the nutrients the plant needs for the healthy growth and development of fruit or flower.

The natural method of plant life can have a negative impact on a plant's metabolic rate as the plants have to work harder at increasing root mass in search of water and nutrients embedded in the soil. This method of plant growth expends energy that a plant should utilise in the development of a more substantial upper green foliage also the more vigorous development of fruit and flower, which in horticultural terms is where the energy needs to be, increasing the speed of crop fruit or flower output and overall Production quality.

Plants have adapted and evolved to this method of growing over many aeons of evolution, as this is the natural order of plant Biosynthesis. Plant life has become very successful in this method of bio growth; However, we can now improve biosynthesis by giving plants precisely what they require directly to the root zone in a controlled and balanced methodology. Thus, naturally improving the plant metabolic rate by using bio nutrient preparations that directly target the requirements of the plants throughout the stages of plant life, without modification of the plant genome.

Also, by controlling all aspects of root-zone uptake of the crucial nutrients and bio-stimulants in a precise feeding regime, the plants receive precisely the nutrients they require without stress and energy wastage upon the plants used whilst searching for the elements that are necessary for a successful Plant metabolic function and life Cycle. Therefore, enhancing the natural metabolic rate giving rise to higher growth speed, quality & quantity of flower & fruit formation is a Desirable outcome in food production.

We as a society are now at a pivotal point in plant life nutrient biotechnology, where we can intervene in the natural growing and bioprocess of plant life by utilising new nutrient technological research and bio inoculant understanding, where we can give plants a near-perfect root environment for plant crop production, where we can feed plants with all nutrient elements they require in a highly scientific balanced and controlled method, throughout the plant's life cycle, which can differ significantly at critical stages of plant growth. As long as we have the systems to deliver the balanced, controlled bio nutrient solutions, we can increase fruit flower quality and maximize yield outputs. However, these systems must operate in giving high control and balanced functions with minimal maintenance by horticultural growers.

Hydroponic growing is where a plant's root zone is given a controlled amount of nutrients in a dissolved oxygen-enriched water solution. Various and very different hydroponics methodologies have been developed throughout history, though in modern times, William Frederick Gericke first brought water culture to the forefront for scientific and public scrutiny in 1940; much to the amazement of his colleagues Gericke had some marginal success. However, the technology was not yet advanced enough to make hydroponics an economic system for food production. Although Hydroponic growing has been around for many years, actual development did not start getting recognition again until NASA began investigating the development of hydroponic systems for use in future long space exploration. Since that time, strides have been made by the horticultural society in developing cost-effective methods of food production using hydroponics as the root zone feeding structure.

The main problem with most hydroponic systems developed over the years is that they can only grow small root plants with a degree of unilateral uniform success, as the root zone environments can only sustain small plant root growth. However, the need to grow and develop larger plant species in a controlled bio inoculated nutrient solution has become apparent as more diverse horticulture feed development progresses to cultivate large, high-value plant species.

Hydroponic growing until recently has been of the understanding that a sterile root environment, where all forms of bacteria sterilised from hydroponic systems. However, this was thought to be the only way to cultivate using hydroponics in its day. In its way, the sterilisation belief has held chiefly, as sterilising the root zone environment, by action prevents the root zone from coming under attack by the many harmful bacteria strains that can be encountered throughout a plants life, but this also destroys the beneficial bacteria added to a hydroponic system, which is not optimal for plant health & vigour.

One strain of the many pathogenic bacteria that stands out above all others in hydroponic cultivation is Pythiumaphanidermtatum, simply known as Pythium or root rot, which is spread primarily in water & moisture. Thus, as hydroponics is built upon a foundation of water, it extrapolates that the spread of Pythium can be a severe & devastating infection & can spread very quickly, especially in recirculating systems. Unfortunately, the possibilities & prevention techniques to control root disease have been a blight in developing new & exciting hydroponic systems until now.

Long-term maintenance of health, vigour and productivity has always been a significant challenge in hydroponic plant production. Growers frequently face a decline in quality, yield, and profitability of cucumbers, peppers, tomatoes and other hydroponic crops due to the invasion of root systems by harmful pathogenic organisms of microbial origin found in the nutrient solution. At times, losses are catastrophic, such as when root rot and wilting become severe, and fruit production ceases, following a pathogenic attack of the roots.

In some production systems, problems associated with harmful microbes and toxic substances are countered in part by the continuous or periodic discharge of used nutrients, combined with replenishment with fresh nutrient solution, which is wasteful & can be damaging to the environment. Also, bleaching agents such as h2o2 hydrogen-peroxide & Hypochlorous acid kill all microorganisms within the solution, Good & Bad alike. Various pathogens that flourish within the root systems of hydroponic crops will easily get introduced into the plant nutrient solution on transplants, other living plants, dead plant materials, soil and insects and on contaminated footwear and machinery. In some instances, they can be present in the water supply. In addition, resistant spores (zoospores) of Pathogenic microbes can survive from previous crops on surfaces of plastic tubing and other components of hydroponic systems.

Explosive epidemics involve the rapid development of root pathogens and secondary symptoms such as wilting in large numbers of plants in the greenhouse. They occur because pathogens can multiply fast on the roots and spread rapidly to other roots. Spread is by means of microscopic zoospores that get carried or swim in the nutrient solution and infect the tip portions of young growing roots. Pythium also spreads from root to root by means of cottony hyphae. In cucumber, Pythium builds up in enormous amounts on the slimy root exudates that accumulate and float on the surface of the nutrient solution. A massive invasion of roots of all ages by hyphae in the exudates leads to severe rotting of entire plant root systems within a few days. New generations of zoospores and hyphae are produced continuously from this point forward in a never-ending cycle.

Hence a Lack of microbial competition in a hydroponic system creates a perfect environment for a pathogenic attack, as the lack of diverse and abundant colonisation from mycorrhizae that is beneficial to the plant's health. This is due to the many factors of previous belief structures of the sterile environment, taken from soil production & hydroponic cultivation of the past.

Due to these sterile beliefs, Pythium and other pathogens in plant nutrient solutions are not faced with good levels of natural enemies and competitors, which in more natural environments (soils, plant residues) help keep populations of pathogens down. Meaning, biological control of Pythium & other types of pathogens in root zones of hydroponic crops normally is poor or absent, an important factor contributing to the explosiveness of root rot epidemics if sterilisation is not optimal.

Stress conditions, such as periods of high temperature, low levels of dissolved oxygen in the nutrient solution, low light intensity, and nutrient imbalance greatly increase susceptibility of hydroponic crops to attack by Pythium, Fusarium, Botrytis, and other pathogens. This predisposition of plants to disease by environmental stress factors is a principal factor contributing to severe disease outbreaks, especially of Pythium root rot.

Measures for disease management used today are:

1 Sanitation, and sterilisation of materials, equipment, and surfaces in the greenhouse.

2 disinfections of the hydroponic system using h2o2 hydrogen peroxide which is shown to be the most effective at breaking down all microbial life & spores. Also, h2o2 has a half-life of between 5 to 10 hrs depending upon temperature & leaves no harmful residue that could be detrimental to plant life.

3 The use of a chemical called Hypochlorous acid, which has become widely as the method for keeping all microbial life at bay within the nutrient solutions and is used throughout a cultivation period.

4 good insect control.

5 Good clean water, possible filtering water from outside sources, especially if it is surface water.

6 Regulate the microclimate and conditions of the plant nutrient solution to avoid or minimise the predisposition of crops to disease. That is, avoid stress conditions as much as is practical. 7 Oxygenation of the nutrient solution at all times, to maintain a healthy h2o balance.

These operations have now become standard practice within hydroponic system function, but also in many systems to prevent dangerous microbial attack, the use of disinfection with, Hypochlorous acid, throughout the plants life has been a maintained factor to try & eliminate the risk of infection. The problem with this type of growing operation is the damage and detrimental effect these chemicals can & will have upon, plant health & final plant yields. This method of biological control has always been a trade-off between slight detrimental damage or massive damage done by a pathological root outbreak. This way of thinking has held, until recently with greater understanding of mycorrhizal symbiotic interaction in plants.

Mycorrhizal ecology and evolution: the past, the present, and the future. Citation;

Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) are obligate symbionts, Meaning the mycorrhizae are obligated to give for their survival and live-in association with the roots of most land plants. AMF produce a wide network of extra-radical mycelium (ERM) of indeterminate length, spreading through the host roots binding them together as they establish a root colony of interconnections forming a root ball mass sponge rhizosphere.

As the mycorrhizae start to populate the roots & embed themselves within the root cell structure, they start to feed the plant with mycorrhizae by-products, such as hi grade pre-formed elements & biological enzymes which the plant requires & desires for an optimal & accelerated growth. In return the growing plant feeds the mycorrhizae with exudate elements created by the chemical reaction Photosynthesis & a symbiotic relationship is formed.

Most if not all Hydroponic systems, that run a filter system will struggle to use Mycorrhizal inoculant bio boosters within the nutrients due to the mycorrhizae blocking the filters. This blocking effect is due to the nutrients and bio inoculants circulated through and around the system causing a bio film to accumulate within the small diameter pipes or spray head holes. Any type of system that uses small diameter tube can be prone to blocking with mycorrhizae over time, this means a chemical flush such as Hypochlorous acid, must be used to clear away the bio film created by the build-up of mycorrhizae bio film along with mineral deposits. Also types of system that utilise spray heads known as aeroponics will have similar problems, as the micro holes used to spray the roots, will clog & stop functioning to the detriment of the plants.

There have been many various & differing hydroponics systems, some known as drip feed, where the nutrient solution is drip-fed through a small diameter tube, to the root point of the plant location, where the plants are set in an inert growing material such as a rock wool medium. The drip method of growing over many years has shown great success, though has inherent problems such as clogging of the small diameter feed tubes by salt minerals contained within the nutrient solution, which is an unavoidable side effect of the nutrient solutions used in hydroponic growing and if mycorrhizal inoculants are used. Another major flaw with this type of system, is that it is very difficult if not near impossible with any degree of success to utilise the benefits of what is known as good bacteria, or mycorrhizae inoculants which has been found to be of great benefit to the plants grown in the BCRDWC hydroponic system. This bacterium inoculation works in a symbiotic relationship with the plant, where it prevents root infection by pathogenic attack of which Pythium, a form of root rot that damages the root zone causing death to the plant in many cases. Mycorrhizal Bacteria also colonises the root zone, where mycorrhizae's nodules are formed within the root structure, where the beneficial bacteria thrive due to the provision of organic nutrients in root exudate's, the Mycorrhizal bacteria in return aid the plant with nutrient elemental acquisition, enhancing plant health and growth. All types of hydroponic system that utilise a small aperture for nutrient solution delivery, will suffer from clogging due to the proliferation and colonisation of the Mycorrhizal Bacteria added to the solution. This problem also includes any type of spray head hydroponic system, or aeroponics where the root zone is sprayed by a solution using a spray head with many small apertures.

Another hydroponics methodology is a system of growing called deep water culture. This type of design developed at first for producing a single plant in a container filled with a nutrient solution, where the plants are grown in an inert growing medium and a net pot. This design allows the roots to grow through the growing medium and the net pot into the nutrient solution, wherein air is injected using an air pump and air stones. This type of single container is challenging to maintain and keep the nutrient solution in its most beneficial state for plant growth to be maximised. This type of system is only a single deep-water system, and there is no recirculation of nutrient solution. The only way to test the systems nutrient solution balance is by lifting the whole plant and root zone out of the nutrient solution, then testing the fluid for ph levels and total dissolved solids. In performing this operation, which must be done regularly, or the tester runs the risk of root zone damage and light stress as light hits the root of the plant, which must be kept in darkness at all possible times to avoid stress-related problems. Another problem with this single container deep water culture system is when the need to change out and renew the nutrient solution arises; the plant and roots must be removed from the container to carry out this action, thus causing stress on the plant, creating a negative impact on overall plant health and final yield capabilities, as each plant stress point damages overall productivity. This type of system is very time-consuming on productivity, as with ten containers (as an example) in a growing area, each of these containers has to be individually checked & the solution changed on an individual basis. Though this system does function and can produce a fully-grown plant; the yield will not be optimal, Plus the time it takes to maintain more than one container is suboptimal for commercial use.

Another deep-water culture system in use, known as the undercurrent system, also known as the sub-current system, has become very popular in Canada and the USA. This system uses containers connected in a parallel line direct from one container to another; a pump then pulls the nutrient solution from one end of the parallel containers creating a negative pressure drop through the system. The nutrient solution at this point is pumped into a container, connected to the opposing end of the parallel containers, the fluid pressure builds in a back pressure, flowing through each container towards the negative pressure created by the pump. This system has significant advantages over the single deepwater unit, in that the fluid has a constant flow through the system.

Though the undercurrent system is an improvement over other types of hydroponics, it still has significant flaws that can create problems throughout the growing process, especially once the plant reaches maturity. Once this happens the root zone can start to restrict the flow of nutrient solution as it passes from one container to the other inline towards the negative pressure created by the pump. This can start to affect the plants and the system function as the fluid begins to back up throughout the system in such a way that the first container in the line will become overfull, whilst the last container will become starved of solution and nutrients as the movement of fluid slowly stops moving. This type of system cannot have any kind of screen in front of the outlet of each container to prevent the roots of the plant, this in itself would create a restriction that increases down the line of containers, this happens because there is no way of controlling flow, there is only one input feed line that feeds all containers in sequence one to the other.

Other problems facing the undercurrent system are the control of balanced nutrient and ph values within the nutrient solution. Over time in all types of hydroponic systems, the ph & nutrient values change, hence they go out of specification required by the plants being grown. Ph and nutrient values must be periodically adjusted by adding a ph down an acidic solution to bring the ph values down, or ph up alkaline solution to bring the ph values up.

As the controller be it manual or automatic, adds ph up or down to the control chamber of the undercurrent system, which then must mix the up or down solution within the nutrient solution that is out of balance. The undercurrent system, because of its design, must take the up or down adjustment solution through the containers in parallel going one at a time down the line until it reaches the negative pressure suction pump. This fluid action can create a catastrophic change in ph levels up or down within the first container in the line, especially once the root ball is formed, the nutrient solution becomes highly toxic to the plant of the first container in the parallel line of root containers, the second then getting a slightly lower dose and so on through the system, back to the control chamber where measuring of the nutrient solution is taking place by the controller, be it automatic or manual. Not only does this create a toxic imbalance in the system, as it takes so long to balance the ph throughout the system, or for the controller to get an accurate reading to be sure the system has balanced before a decision can be made, to add more solution or not to correct any imbalance, if the system is still out of specification.

If time is not taken in this process and the controller assumes the system needs to adjust pH, up or down of the solution, it then adds more of either before the system has truly balanced itself, the whole nutrient solution will crash either up or down depending upon which way the nutrient solution was out of balance. A relevant problem exists where, if the system nutrient solution has been severely depleted 'crashed' and the pH resides out at pH5 which is toxic to the plants and can create a nutrient lock. In consequence the system controller must start adding ph up alkaline to correct the imbalance. This correction of balance is adding a chemical to the solution that has no added benefit to the plant. If too much ph up or down is added to the nutrient solution, the chemical will accumulate which can become poisonous to the plants causing a toxic response, damaging the plants at the point of toxicity, this overload can be undone if addressed early enough to stop the total demise of the plants. Though irreversible damage may occur, at this point the system must be purged of nutrient solution and replaced with a new solution to be sure that the plants have the best possible nutrient levels and ph levels for maximum harvest output. This action is a waste of valuable time, water and nutrient additives. This problem requires addressing.

Additional problems can arise when it comes to a complete nutrient solution change, which in most cases should frequently happen, with fortnightly changing being preferred across most hydroponic systems. Most types of hydroponic system use a gravity drain to empty the system of nutrient solution, which significantly relies on the drain outlet being at a lower level than the system outlet. In many cases, this is not practical and can create problems in the placement of the systems. If the system is lower than any drain outlet point, the system must be raised to accomplish complete drainage of the nutrient solution, or a separate pump must be used, which is extra cost & more time involved in setting this up.

Another major problem with this type of system is the fact that it cannot utilise the full benefit of mycorrhizae inoculants, this due to the system not being able to induce the growth of the correct root structure to support a mycelium network, where the roots are interconnected by a Endomycorrhiza arbuscule hyphae. This problem is due to the movement of the root structure within the flowing nutrient solution, around the root system, which causes a buffeting effect upon the roots, which are not bound to form a semi solid root form which we have termed the root ball sponge which is a specific form of root binding. This nutrient buffeting effect causes a waving movement of the root structure which damage's the formation of the delicate hyphae of mycorrhiza and prevents the formation of a mycelium ecosphere.

It has also been held and crossed over to hydroponic cultivation from generations of soil plant cultivation science that root binding has a negative effect upon the plants ability to sustain quality growth, so that larger root containers than are need have been employed in hydroponics as in soil. Root binding is a term within horticulture for where the roots of a plant bind into a mass within a confined area with no room to grow further. In soil, confined root binding has a negative effect to the overall growth and yield, so it has always held true and crossed over that even in hydroponic cultivation you must not root bind the plants roots and always have an oversized rooting container to prevent root binding from taking place and negatively effecting plant growth. The negative impact of root binding is due to the root systems' inability to access the correct quantities and quality of the nutrient elements and water requirements to sustain healthy growth and fruit formation. As a result of root binding, the upper green foliage outgrows what the root system can acquire and supply to the plant's metabolic functions to maintain health. Due to this, the plant becomes stunted and unable to fulfil a high fruit or flowering yield.

So, with this type of hydroponic system, in use today where the roots grow without inert material as in deep water culture, the root structure grows loosely & moves around buffeted by the flow of the nutrient solution around root. Thus, the effective use of Ectomycorrhiza inoculants is all but negated as the Ectomycorrhiza cannot form what is known as a Ectomycorrhiza root sheath, where the roots are coated & surrounded in differing forms of Ectomycorrhiza, which then given the correct environment form a symbiotic bond, protecting the root cells from pathogenic attack, thus in essence inoculating the roots, with the added benefits of increasing the plants metabolic rate.

There is therefore a need to address the above problems by the provision of an inventive combined hydroponic system that solves all the detrimental effects in hydroponic cultivation by creating a plant specific root zone environment for the required root binding to occur forming a root ball mass sponge, which allows for full inoculation using Bio micro inoculants and their incorporation into a plant root system, whilst allowing full volumetric nutrient pass through.

Summary

As we are beginning to understand, with high levels of phytological research into the symbiotic relationship between root micro-organisms & plant life. we are realising the great benefits to be gained by the inoculation of plant root systems by the systematic implementation of beneficial biological mycorrhizal inoculants. With this greater understanding of biological plant interactions, we must invent and develop hydroponic systems that create a perfect environment for the Mycorrhizae to colonise the root structure. In soil the roots of a plant are surrounded by a soil material which they must push through in an ever-increasing search for nutrients and water to survive. This searching action of the plants puts the roots in direct contact with mycorrhiza spores within the soil material, awaiting contact with the new roots. Once contact is made by the roots, endomycorrhiza arbuscules start to penetrate the cells of the plant roots

The root structure & root tips also encounter ectomycorrhiza, where a sheath is formed around the root structure called a rhizosphere (Citation) the roots & mycorrhizae become bonded in symbiosis, which can be replicated and enhanced using the BCRDWC hydroponic systems functional design which leads to the formation and implementation of the formed root ball sponge (RBS). The present invention in its various aspects is as set out in the appended claims.

The present application relates to a Balanced Cascade recirculating deep water culture hydroponic system, or abbreviation (BCRDWC) invented to form and utilize a condensed root ball mass sponge or abbreviation (RBMS) where under normal conditions the root would be classified as root bound, for use in hydroculture horticultural cultivation of large root fast-growing, flowering and fruiting annual plant species, such as but not wholly, the tomato plant. The BCRDWC system, has been invented to balance and increase nutrient and oxygen uptake, by cascading a nutrient oxygen-rich solution, onto and through the root structure of the formed root ball sponge by constant flow volumetric pass through of nutrients, where the (BCRDWC) system creates and maintains an optimal root zone ecosphere by balancing ph and nutrient elements recirculating through the created root ball sponge, creating an environment that allows the formation of the root ball sponge for the purpose of allowing bio inoculants to thrive feeding the plant through symbiosis and inoculating the roots from pathogenic attack. By utilising a balanced and controlled, cascading regulation of nutrients, oxygen and temperature through and around the plants root zone and the application of precise nutrient-based science enhances nutrient uptake, therefore, this combination effect of root zone control gives a consistently enhanced high quality and quantity flowering fruit yield. The Balanced Cascade Recirculating Deepwater Culture System and method is specifically designed to alleviate and solve problems inherent to deepwater culture hydroponics and other types of hydroponic cultivation utilizing the combination and position of given parts to affect the positive outcome of mass plant cultivation.

A deep-water culture hydroponic system is a term of art and refers to the hydroponic method of plant production by means of suspending the plant roots in a solution of nutrient-rich, oxygenated water.

The present invention provides a method for hydroponic cultivation comprising the steps of:

Providing a Balanced Cascade recirculating deep water culture hydroponic system (BCRDWC) having pre-determined sized root zone containers at the point of design suitable for a plant, where root binding has a positive effect upon plant production.

By system function and design, the flow of the balanced cascading nutrient solution onto the top of the forming and formed confined root ball sponge, the BCRDWC system develops a total volumetric nutrient pass-through effect. This volumetric pass-through effect is where the nutrient solution, utilising gravity & negative volumetric pressure, created by the recirculating pump in the head sump unit and through the Return lines at which point the nutrients are returned constantly back to the root zone containers and cascading back onto the top of the root then passing volumetrically down through the fine root structure of the root ball mass sponge towards the outlet return connection of the root zone container, which must be placed at the opposing side to the cascading inlet to perform the task of root ball sponge nutrient volumetric pass through. Due to the volumetric pass-through effect created by the Balanced Cascade Recirculating deep water culture systems unique functionality the system never becomes root bound, plant size specific, as the roots are always receiving a fresh steady supply of nutrients passing through the fine root structure.

The BCRDWC hydroponic system alleviates the root binding effect to specific plant sizing and need requirements and promotes a form of what would categorically in horticulture scientific learning be termed root binding within the pre-sized, plant-specific root zones.

This plant-specific type of BCRDWC root binding requirement is where the biological symbiotic nutrient acquisition takes place. Only the BCRDWC system can successfully cultivate plants in such a way due to the BCRDWC hydroponic systems functionality to encompass and enhance the development of what we at HTG have termed a root ball mass sponge (RBMS) which develops within the pre-set root zone containers and that the size of root area to containment is dependent upon the root size required by the plant species being cultivated within the systems root zones. This sizing is to implement the formation of the root binding effect, which in turn creates the environment for the functional root ball mass sponge to develop and not as is conventional known science dictates to prevent root binding by increasing the size of the rooting area. Root binding being the desired effect within the root zones encompassed by the BCRDWC hydroponic system functionality.

As an example, if the cultivation a 1.8-meters tall plant was the desired maximum hight and the implementation of 5-litre root zone containers was used at the design layout stage of the system for the plant's roots to develop into, then, as expected, the plant would suffer due to nutrient acquisition starvation. This plant starvation is due to the roots being unable to develop correctly in the area we provided at the design stage. Therefore, under sizing the root zone containers creates a nutrient acquisition deficit, much like being root bound, as explained previously. But also, if the root zone containers used in the system design are SOItrs and the plants cultivated are only 1.2 meters in height, the root ball sponge cannot form its fibrous mass correctly due to too much root zone area provided within the root zone container, which has the negative effect of creating a nutrient buffeting upon the root system where the roots are waving around preventing the formation of the RBMS, which in turn prevents mycorrhiza colonisation of the root ball sponge, as hyphae are broken away and washed away from the roots in an ever-increasing cycle. So, finding the correct balance of root mass developmental area to plant size is a crucial requirement at the design stage of a system and before installation. So, to alleviate any incompatibility problems, the system should be designed to give a quantifiable confined root ball mass sponge depending upon desired plant size in height or as small as 0.3m, if required, as the dimensional sizing of the equipment does not diminish the functional Balanced RBMS nutrient pass-through capabilities of the BCRDWC system.

The BCRDWC hydroponic system functional parameters are unique in their H2o logistic approach, as they dispel the adage of root binding. Root binding is a term for where the roots of a plant bind into a mass with no room to grow further. In soil and some types of hydroponic systems, this binding has a negative effect to the overall growth and yield, which is not what we want in crop cultivation. The negative impact of root binding is due to the root systems' inability to access the correct quantities and quality of the nutrient elements and water required to sustain healthy growth and fruit formation. As a result, the upper green foliage outgrows what the root system can acquire and supply to the plant's metabolic functions to maintain health. Due to this, the plant becomes stunted and unable to fulfil a high fruit or flowering yield.

Due to the nature of deep-water cultivation, where the roots of the plants are not growing and expanding into a material substrate, be it soil or inert material such as rock wool etc. The roots of the plants no longer must scavenge, by large deep root extension, for water and nutrients embedded within a substrate material.

This ceasing of large diameter root extension is due to the readily available nutrient bio elements within the nutrient-enriched recirculating solutions, which are moving passed the root cells, throughout the root structure, at a constant volumetrically balanced flow rate.

As the roots of the plant no longer need to search for nutrient acquisition and water uptake whilst pushing through a substrate material, the plant begins a metamorphic process of root development, beginning on contact with the nutrient solution. This form of metamorphic root development differs significantly from what would be considered normal root development for the plant species cultivated, primarily when cultivation occurs in a material substrate.

The root structure of the plants in the BCRDWC systems root zone begins to metamorphosis on contact with the recirculating deep water contained within each of the root zone containers, as previously discussed, when the root enters the nutrient solution and immediately begins to split into an almost geometric multiplication of split instances in rapid succession, whilst at the same time forms the development of a fine root ball structure.

The root structure's split and almost geometric multiplication continue from the first nutrient contact, developing and expanding at an exponential rate of fine root offshoots, along with the split root system's developmental progression.

Throughout a root ball sponge, developmental progression within a cultivation period. The measurements of root mass displacement at set synchronised times have shown that root systems of certain annual crops cultivated in the BCRDWC hydroponic system show quantifiable patterns of root structure growth throughout a cultivation period. On contact with the nutrient solution and 14 days into a growth cycle. From transplanting rooted young saplings into the system, we note a root displacement figure of X = 2.6, which gives us a base root growth numerical figure of X = baseline time, 2.6 = baseline displacement over 14 days.

At seven days past the baseline event setting of 14 days, another RMD measurement is taken, which gives us the metamorphic root growth of X = 14 + 7 = RMD 6.6 - 2.6 = a growth of 4 root mass displacement over seven days from the baseline. From this information, we gain valuable insight into plant-specific root mass development, which, as mentioned before, is the multiplicational division of the fine root structure on nutrient contact.

Now that we have a root mass development method of measurement through crucial stages of the cultivation period. We can begin to assess and understand the root ball sponge development, noting points of the high root zone and low root mass developmental periods through critical stages of plant growth.

As the fine root mass developmental process progresses throughout the crop cycle, at differing quantifiable rates, we start to see from l/3rd through the crop cycle, what we have termed the root mass sponge, beginning its formation. From this point onwards, we get a quantifiable root mass displacement within the root zone container, which provides us with a point of reference for plant health and the developmental progress of the plants and root systems within the system. The monitored root growth continues until, as a base number, two-thirds of the way through the cultivation cycle. At this point, root development rapidly decreases progression as the root ball sponge becomes fully formed. From this point, the plants are at maximum fruit and flower formation within a cultivation cycle, utilising the metamorphic fine root ball structure. To supply an abundance of all required nutrient elements and water to produce the plant's fruit or flower at an increased metabolic rate, giving a far greater return for the valuable resources applied to the crop cultivation.

In observational research it was quantified that the mass RBMS formation in micron level size, which was then used as a measurement of differential root development characteristics of the RBMS.

This measurement distinguished each root strand by diameter size in microns and then as a percentage of the fully developed RBMS, as this is the point where water and nutrient acquisition is at its greatest. The BCRDWC cultivation method makes this quantifiable measurement possible using the system's unique features. As mentioned, the roots are suspended in a deep-water environment that is supplied by a cascading of nutrient elements onto the top of the floating root ball mass sponge then passes volumetrically through the root ball sponge formation which the BCRDWC systems function developmentally creates the environment through function in each root zone container connected to the BCRDWC system.

We have gained from light microscopy and visual root type counting that the root ball sponge from the BCRDWC's deep water nutrient upper-level down was made up of the following.

With this knowledge, we can better understand the BCRDWC root formation and structural- developmental processes within the BCRDWC system's root zone containers. We can then utilise existing scientific root research in our hypothesis to form a basis to work from as follows. In our quantified observational research, have ascertained that the root ball sponge created by the unique action and function of the BCRDWC hydroponic system is that the root ball sponge has developed a far greater quantity of below lOOOum and 500um roots which the root functional agri-tech sciences have classified as fine and extra fine root structural properties, and where scientific research has determined that fine roots and extra fine roots are the points of water and nutrient acquisition by plants.

We can conclude that the development of the root ball mass sponge within the pre-sized root zone containers is highly active and enhances the supply of the plant's water and elemental nutrient requirements, dramatically improving overall cultivation health and fruit flower formation. This high root nutrient acquisition is due to the percentage rate of the root structural composition being below 500um. So, because the BCRDWC system provides a constant supply of advanced, balanced nutrients & bio stimulants, the plants will develop a high output in yield. This significant enhancement in plant cultivation utilising the BCRDWC systems functional parameters is primarily due to forming the measured quantity of fine and ultra-fine roots within the root ball sponge structure. This formation then provides a far greater nutrient acquisition surface area than would typically occur in other types of cultivation, including past hydroponic systems designed to cultivate the same kind of plants. So, in conclusion, the formation of the Root Ball Mass Sponge that develops in the root zone containers of the BCRDWC system consists of a significantly higher percentage of fine and ultra-fine root structural properties, as mentioned.

This root structure formation differs considerably from that typically found in material-based cultivation methods and full hydroponic methods of the past. The fine root development of the RBMS provides a substantial water and nutrient element acquisition enhancement and due to this, the plant's biological processes are enhanced, leading to a faster crop turnaround with significantly increased quality and yield output, made possible by the cascading of nutrients by the BCRDWC system onto the top of the root ball sponge and the facilitation of root nutrient pass through.

Due to the unique features of the flow control function of the BCRDWC system, the system is adjusted according to the flow volume pass through required to allow a mycorrhizal colony to form, which includes Bacillus, Trichoderma, Endomycorrhiza and Ectomycorrhiza. This microorganism symbiotic colonisation is made possible by the unique metamorphosize root structure formation within the BCRDWC root zone biosphere. Where the microorganisms can attach to the root ball sponge formation as the density of formation allows the hyphae of the Endomycorrhiza to extend and grow, entangling the fine root structure in a delicate web. Also, once the root structure has fully formed into a root ball sponge, which is at the halfway point of the plant cultivation cycle, the root ball breaks and disperses the cascading nutrient as it volumetrically passes through the root ball sponge system within the root surrounding nutrients, this creating a none damaging distributed flow through the root system, which allows for the formation of an Ectomycorrhiza sheath around the fine root filaments of the root ball sponge without being washed away by the flow.

BCRDWC Quantifiable root ball sponge Research

Research carried out utilising the BCRDWC hydroponic systems, unique and inventive system of approach was carried out, by the inoculation of the root zone of plants grown within the system as proof of existence & function.

1. Plants were sown into the net pots as cuttings, utilising an inert Rock-wool substrate to act as an anchor for the roots to grow through. The rock wool was pre-dosed as a soak using a broad-spectrum bio inoculant which included;

Endomycorrhizae; Glomus clarum, G. intraradices, G.Mosseae, G.deserticola, G. monospores, G.brasilianum, G.aggregatum, Gigaspores margareta. (6.4xl04/kg)

Ectomycorrhizae; Rhizopogon amylpogon, R.fulvigleba, R.rubescans, R.villosuli, Laccaria laccata, Pisolithus tinctorius, Scleroderma spp. (2.6xl08/kg)

Bacillus; Bacillus subtilis, B.amyloliquefaciens, B.lcheniformis; each at 1.2x109 cfu/kg

B. brevis, B.cirulans, B.coagulans, B.firmus, B.halodenitrificans, B.laterosporus, B.megatherium, B.mycoides, B.polymyxa; each at 6.8x108 cfu/kg

Trichoderma; Trichoderma hamtum, T.harzianum, T.koningli, T.longibrachiatum, T.reeder.

2. 1 gram of the broad-spectrum bio inoculate was added to lOltrs of prepared nutrient solution with an EC-0.6 nutrient and ph-6.1 ratios.

3. The rock wool cubes were allowed to soak for 36hrs to allow full cube naturing within the bio nutrient solution.

4. The cuttings were then sown into the rock wool cubes & placed in a cutting propagator for two weeks at a regulated 85% humidity & 70 degrees Fahrenheit during dark hours and 75 light hours.

5. At the end of 14 days in the propagator, the cubes containing the newly rooted saplings were transplanted into the BCRDWC system.

6. The plants were grown in a controlled and regulated root zone environment of. Ph; 5.8-6.2

EC; 0.6-1.2

Root Temp; 62-68 degrees Fahrenheit

7. A nutrient renewal was implemented at 21 days, 14 days, 14 days, 9 days, 9 days, and 7 Days. On each of the nutrient renewals a measurement was taken utilising the unique BCRDWC root mass displacement function to evaluate root growth.

8. Also, it each renewal point a small biopsy of root was taken from the Centre of the forming root ball to rootball sponge. This biopsy gave us a valuation of microbial proliferation through the stages of root formation & in correlation to the root mass displacement numerical figures.

9. At each nutrient change, the nutrients were mixed with the broad-spectrum bio inoculant as described, at a ratio of lg per 20ltrs of nutrient solution. This was continued throughout cultivation of the plants and at each renewal of nutrients, until 21 days prior to harvest.

10. At harvest five plants were randomly selected for root bisection, each Root Ball Mass sponge was removed from the root zone containers & allowed to drain off nutrients for 15 minutes. The root ball sponge was then sliced down through the Centre axis exposing the Centre of the root biosphere.

11. On visual inspection of the bisected root ball sponge, a darker Centre from top to bottom of the root biosphere was observed, which formed a conical frustum shape that lightened in shade, as it migrated to the outside of the root structure formation. This indicated the formation of a mycelium network, that has a greater density at the centre of the root ball sponge, then dissipating as the mycelium network moves closer to the edge of the root ball sponge formation.

12. A PVC strip of the same dimensional width as the root ball sponge, with five 20mm x 20mm evenly spaced square holes across its length was placed on the bisected face, at halfway down from the top of the root ball sponge. This gave a quantifiable area of examination for each root ball sponge to be observed.

13. Each of the square 20mm x 20mm was numbered left to right as bl, b2, b3, b4, b5. At each numbered point a biopsy was cut out of the root ball sponge for examination under light microscopy.

14. Firstly, the sample from each biopsy was placed as a whole onto a slide & manipulated to allow light penetration through the root structure, where a visual inspection was conducted.

15. A visual area numbering scale was used by root cell size, which is an average of 50 microns per cell. Once an observable area was obtained, we could give a quantifiable Ectomycorrhiza proliferation in percentage by visible area of 1000pm or 20 cells area.

16. Light microscopy observations through cultivation Days nutrient Change. 35 Days nutrient change.

As can be seen by the visual observations of intra cultivation root biopsy's, the Ectomycorrhiza and Endomycorrhiza gradually proliferates the root structure as the the root ball sponge develops. Though early in the root development stage Ectomycorrhiza lags behind the Endomycorrhiza until at 49 days of root growth, when root structural density develops in the root ball sponge protecting the Ectomycorrhiza from wash off by flow. Though these figures are not overly accurate & open to more precise quantification methods, we have gained a base knowledge from which to form a hypothesis of the BCRDWC root control actions.

End of cultivation, five-point biopsy light microscopy observations

Ectomycorrhiza % by area 1000pm square

As can be seen and extrapolated from the above charted figures, is that the ectomycorrhiza proliferation forms from the Center of the root ball sponge, as denoted by mass Centre biopsy 3, this proving that the BCRDWC system allows by design the formation of an ectomycorrhiza network.

17. Next, we formulated a visual way to quantify the proliferation of endomycorrhiza, which embed Arbuscule's into the plant cells.

18. We undertook this by dissecting a section of fine root from each of the root biopsy samples, at an average measurement of 1000pm x 100pm which equates to 20 x 10 cells per sample.

19. Once we had the fine root section for observation, we counted the number of visible Arbuscule's within the cells of the root sample section & gave percentage ratio of cell impregnation out of average 200 cells as follows.

Endomycorrhiza % by Ave 200 cells

As can be seen and extrapolated by the Endomycorrhiza observations, is they are very similar in percentage proliferation to the Ectomycorrhiza observations, where the mass center of the root ball sponge, has the greater protection from buffeting by flow rate and allows for a greater Endomycorrhiza colonisation within the root ball sponge biosphere.

In conclusion, a broad-spectrum light microscopy visual analysis of the root ball mass sponge, at key stages of root formation gives the user valuable quantifiable information of plant health by root mass and root biosphere inoculation.

Due to the unique nature of the BCRDWC hydroponic systems root formation technique, pre quantifiable research is lacking and a greater understanding of interaction will be developed, where we can balance very precisely every element of nutrient acquisition by optimising metamorphosize root structure formation and the chemical interactions taking place within the balanced root ecosphere.

Even at this early stage, the BCRDWC system has proven to greatly improve all aspects of plant production, by implementation of its functional design as explained and the incorporation of microbial inoculations.

The Endomycorrhiza network is a mycelium network where the root external mycelium spread away from the root in fine tendrils taking in nutrients. If roots are allowed to flow freely in a water current, these tendrils are broken away and therefore cannot provide benefit to the plant. However, the Balanced Cascade recirculating deep water culture hydroponic system, (BCRDWC) of the present invention as previously mentioned facilitates the formation of a root ball sponge which prevents the tendrils from being broken away. This effect can be seen by visual analysis of the root ball sponge by slicing through the root sponge at the end of plant life. The endo mycorrhizae used in the present at invention may preferably be Arbuscular Mycorrhizae.

The Ectomycorrhiza network is a network which surrounds the root hairs. If roots are allowed to flow freely in a water current, this has the effect of washing away the mycelium formation so that a symbiotic relationship cannot form between Ectomycorrhiza and host plant. Again, the formation of a root ball sponge prevents this washing away by protecting the Ectomycorrhiza from the current.

Another benefit of the BCRDWC system is that the root ball is surrounded by a flowing nutrient solution hence any chemical products by the Ectomycorrhiza are diluted and dispersed throughout the system permeating all roots and plants within the system.

The present invention may use endomycorrhizas instead of endo and/or ectomycorrhiza. Ectomycorrhizas have largely the same characteristics of Endomycorrhiza, though endomycorrhiza are more intrusive as they penetrate the root cells.

The Balanced Cascade recirculating deep water culture hydroponic system, (BCRDWC) required for the above method is now described.

The present invention provides a deep-water hydroponics system, the system comprising:

One or more root zone containers; Each root zone container comprising: a root zone Nutrient inlet, a root zone Nutrient return and a growing medium. The root zone nutrient inlet and the root zone nutrient return may be apertures in a wall of the root zone container. The growing medium is configured for growing a plant or plants therein acting as an anchor point for the roots to grow through down into the nutrient solution.

The root zone containers may have a depth measured from a base of the container to an open end of the container through which a plant may grow. The depth of the root zone containers may preferably be between 10 and 100cm, further preferably between 25 and 40 cm. The exact sizing of the root zone containers may depend on the plant to be grown in said container, as an example, plant of around 120cm to 150cm in height will grow best with a root zone depth of minimum of 31cm with a diameter of 31cm.

The growing medium may also have a height, the height of the growing medium preferably being less than the depth of the root zone container, more preferably the height of the growing medium is between a third of and half the height of the root zone container. The growing medium may be positioned within the root zone container such that there is space between the bottom of the growing medium and the bottom of the root zone container. The height of the growing medium may preferably be between 10 and 50cm, further preferably between 13 and 20 cm. The diameter of the growing medium may preferably be between 10 and 20 cm, further preferably between 13 and 15cm. This has been found to give stability to young plants whilst providing enough space in the root zone container below the pot for the roots to grow into.

The open end of the root zone container may comprise a lip, the lip extending from the edge of the container and into the open end of the container. The growing medium may be further be configured with a lip at the tip of the growing medium that extends out away from the growing medium such that the lip of the growing medium sets onto the top of the root zone container to keep the growing medium in place and flush with the top of the root zone container.

The system further comprises a head sump unit; the head sump unit comprising: a head sump container configured to hold the nutrient solution; a pump; a head sump nutrient outlet; at least one head sump nutrient return. The at least one head sump nutrient inlet and the at least one head sump nutrient return may be apertures in a wall of the head sump container. The nutrient solution may preferably be a nutrient solution designed for optimal growing conditions of the plants to be grown in the root zone containers. The head sump container preferably has a base and one or more sides. The head sump container may have a circular base and cross sectional area along the height of the container parallel to the base. This provides uniform nutrient circulation and easier cleaning. The nutrient solution contains mycorrhizae. Preferably Arbuscular mycorrhizae.

The system further comprises at least one primary nutrient outlet line, also termed the primary nutrient outlet feed line; wherein a first end of the at least one primary nutrient outlet feed line is attached to the head sump nutrient outlet and a second end of the at least one primary nutrient outlet line is attached to the valved root zone nutrient inlet of a first root zone container of the one or more nutrient containers such that there is cascading fluid communication between the valved root zone nutrient inlet of the first root zone container and the head sump nutrient outlet. The attachment between the line and the root zone container and head sump unit are preferably made using a watertight seal.

The primary nutrient outlet line may split into more than one primary nutrient outlet lines after leaving the head sump unit, this may allow for more root zone containers to be added, allowing the BCRDWC hydroponic system to increased output capacity to be arranged closer to the head sump unit making the system as a whole more compact if required by design.

The system further comprises at least one primary nutrient return line; wherein a first end of the at least one primary nutrient return line is attached to the root zone nutrient return of the first root zone container and a second end of the at least one primary nutrient outlet line is attached to the at least one head sump nutrient return such that there is fluid communication between the root zone nutrient return of the first root zone container and the at least one head sump nutrient return, size & shape dependent upon system requirements.

The lines of the present invention are preferably pipes, further preferably pipes with a circular cross section.

The lines are preferably made of a plastic, to reduce weight and corrosion, though other none corrosive materials can be utilised if required by design.

All connections between the containers and lines of the present invention are preferably made with a watertight seal such that there is no nutrient solution loss through leaking. The submersible pump is connected to the head sump valved nutrient outlet and configured to pump the nutrient solution from the head sump container through the primary nutrient outlet line and into the one or more root zone containers, this ensures that the nutrient solution arrives at the one or more root zone containers at a positive pressure.

The present invention provides the benefit that a nutrient solution from the head sump unit can be circulated through the one or more root zone containers cascading over the root zone as it does so.

To accommodate more than one root zone container in the system, the primary nutrient outlet feed line may comprise one or more valved inlet spurs, each of the one or more inlet spurs providing cascading fluid communication between the primary nutrient outlet feed line and a root zone nutrient valved inlet of one of the one or more root zone containers. Similarly, to provide return of nutrient solution from the additional root zone containers, the primary nutrient return line comprises one or more return spurs, each of the one or more return spurs providing cascading fluid communication between the primary nutrient return line and a root zone nutrient outlet of one of the one or more root zone containers. The inlet spurs may each comprise a T-section of pipe. This allows the primary nutrient outlet line to continue along the straight section of the T-section and the spur to begin from the part of the T-section that is perpendicular to the primary nutrient outlet. The T-section may be a reducing tee off pipe section The reducing tee off pipe section serves to reduce the cross-sectional area spur relative to the cross-sectional area of the primary nutrient outlet line. The primary nutrient outlet line preferably has a larger cross-sectional area than the spur as the primary nutrient outlet line will, if the system has more than a single root zone container, need to have a higher capacity per unit time than the spur in order to feed all of the plants in the system at the same rate.

The ratio of cross-sectional areas between the primary nutrient outlet and the spur(s) may be between 5:1 and 3:2. More preferably, the ratio of cross-sectional areas between the primary nutrient outlet line and the spur(s) may be 2:1 this has provides an optimal compromise between system pressure required for nutrient provision and flow rate of the provision, particularly when supplying more than 10 root zone containers.

Note than the root zone container that is furthest from the head sump unit along the primary nutrient outlet line is where the primary nutrient outlet line terminates, in this case, the spur may be bend, preferably a 90-degree bend, in the primary nutrient outlet line that directs the primary nutrient outlet line into the root zone nutrient inlet of the furthest root zone container. Like all other root zone nutrient inlets in the system, the root zone nutrient inlet of the furthest root zone container will be valved.

The one or more primary nutrient return lines may preferably have a cross sectional area larger than that of the primary nutrient outlet line. This takes into account that the primary nutrient outlet line is pressurised by the pump, the return line on the other hand, is not pressurised to the same extent. Preferably, the one or more primary nutrient return lines have a cross sectional area that is between 1.5 and 3 times as large as the primary nutrient outlet. Most preferably, the primary nutrient return lines have twice the cross-sectional area of the primary nutrient outlet line. This has provided an optimal compromise between system pressure required for nutrient provision and flow rate of the provision, particularly when supplying more than 10 root zone containers.

The primary nutrient outlet line may split into two or more arms of the primary nutrient outlet, each of the two or more serving a run of root zone containers. Each run of root zone container may comprise any number of root zone containers distributed along the arms of the primary nutrient outlet line. The spurs may extend from the arms of the primary nutrient outlet.

The cross-sectional area of the lines and spurs of the system are preferably circular, however other cross-sectional areas may be considered.

The head sump nutrient outlet may comprise a nutrient outlet directional valve, the nutrient outlet directional valve configured to control the direction of the nutrient solution flow through the head sump nutrient feed outlet from the head sump unit into the primary nutrient outlet feed line.

The pump may be a bottom suction submersible pump (BSSP). This provides the benefits of allowing the pump to completely drain the system, if necessary, preventing nutrients settling in the head sump unit and allows easy removal of the pump for system cleaning. The pump may preferably be placed at a centrally located point at the lowest position of the head sump unit. This position allows all recirculated nutrient solution to be collected by the BSSP, then re-mixed before returning through the system in a continuous recirculating motion.

The pump may be configured to circulate the nutrient solution in the system at a rate of between 10 and 30 circulations per hour. Further, it may be preferable that the pump is configured to circulate the nutrient solution in the system at a minimum rate of 20 complete circulations per hour as this has been found in testing to deliver optimum growing conditions.

The head sump unit may further comprise a waste outlet. The waste outlet may preferably be an aperture connected to a waste pipe onto the outside of the head sump unit.

A pipe may extend from the pump then split into an outlet feed arm and an outlet waste arm, the outlet feed arm connected to the head sump nutrient feed outlet and the outlet waste arm connected to the waste outlet. The outlet arm may comprise an outlet feed valve and the waste arm may comprise an outlet waste valve. This allows the pump to be used to either circulate the nutrient solution around the system with the outlet waste valve closed and the outlet feed valve open. Then, when the system is to be emptied, the outlet feed valve can be shut off and the outlet waste valve opened to allow the pump to empty the system. The pipe may be connected to the BSSP between the pipe and the BSSP may be made by a rubberised pipe section that acts as a vibration dampener. The rubberised pipe section may then connect to a solid high rigidity material split pipe section, that becomes the feed outlet arm and outlet waste arm.

Where the waste valve is placed in the open position and the outlet feed valve open, the system will start to empty at a slow rate as the system continues to recirculate the nutrient fluid, disturbing any built-up bio elements as the fluid level slowly reduces through the root zone of the plant, carrying out all bio-waste in the waste nutrient solution as it passes through the nutrient return lines.

A root zone valve is to be connected to the root zone nutrient inlet of each of the one or more root zone containers, such that the nutrient solution passes through the valve before entering the root zone container. This allows the rate of nutrient solution flow cascading into the root zone containers to be controlled on an individual basis. The valve may be positioned on a spur. Having a valve controlling the rate of cascading nutrient solution flow into each root zone containers allows the system to remain balanced in the case of multiple root zone containers, without the valves, as the pump pressurises the system, more nutrient solution would flow into the root zone containers closest to the pump than into those furthest from the pump. Essentially over feeding the plants closest to the pump and underfeeding those farthest from the pump. The valves allow the amount of nutrient solution flow into the root zone containers to be controlled to the point that all the plants are being fed at the same rate throughout the system, giving a uniform growth rate along the plants in the system. By cascading the nutrient solution into the root zone containers at a balanced & measured rate, the level of the nutrient solution rises in each root zone container at an even and balanced level until there is enough gravitational force generated to push the nutrient fluid out through the root zone nutrient return.

By the controlled balanced cascade of the bio element nutrient solution onto the top of the root zone in a fully valved function, the solution surrounding the root ball is agitated in such a way to prevent high salt mineral concentrations collecting at points around the root zone ball sponge, which can become toxic if left unchecked for any length of time. This toxic salt concentration and build-up can lead to a negative impact upon bio elemental, growth, plant health & wellbeing, or can cause plant necrosis & death if not corrected or prevented. Also, by cascading the nutrient solution into the root zone container and onto the top of the roots, the flow of the cascading solution breaks surface tension carrying with it extra oxygen, which circulates the root zone, along with the oxygen from the bubblers placed at the bottom of each root zone container., The Ph and Tds (Total dissolved solids) of the nutrient solution can go out of specified balance and periodically has to be brought back into a specific range for the type of plants being grown, this is a particular problem in undercurrent systems. The BCRDWC system does not suffer from the described problems due to the root zone containers being fed individually along the main feed line at the same rate as each other root zone, this does not rely upon pass through, from one container to the next along the line. This process of nutrient feed balance benefits the plants as all root zones can be adjust in values at the same rate from a single point, being the head sump unit. With this balanced function and control, the system balances very quickly at an even rate of change in Ph and Tds values back to the desired levels, with the plants never experiencing a toxic crash or overload as described with other systems.

The root zone valves may be manual or automatic. In the case that the valves are automatic, the system may further comprise a controller in communication with the root zone valve.

The present invention is preferably controlled by a computer controller in the form of a computing system. This allows continuous uninterrupted system control in real time for large numbers of plants. References to control, controlling in the present application are preferably performed by such a controller.

The valves may preferably be solenoid valves. Further preferably, the valves may comprise or used in conjunction with root zone flow meters for measuring the flow rate into each of the root zone containers. The root zone flow meters may preferably be connected to the controller. The controller may then be configured to adjust the valves such that the root zone flow meters are all measuring the same flow rate.

The BCRDWC system has been designed to act as a balanced system, utilising valves of manual or automatic function at each spur point off the primary nutrient outlet line. These valves control the flow through each root zone container from the primary nutrient outlet line. By the control of each spur point by a valve system, each of root zone containers attached to the main feed line receives a balanced highly enriched nutrient solution, of the same nutrient solution proportions and properties. By controlling the nutrient feed solution in a balanced function, the system can be expanded exponentially from one root zone container onwards dependent upon requirements, size and shape of the growing environment, which do not detract from functionality as layout of the system can be modified to fit the available space with functionality remaining the same. A primary nutrient outlet line or arm of the primary nutrient outlet line runs parallel to each row of root zone containers in one continuous line until the last root zone container is reached. The outlet lines can be spaced in rows, or even placed in a circular position if so required, with root zone containers around the feed lines, this gives scope for any shape to be created, which offers the BCRDWC system limitless design shape applications without functionality alteration.

The system has the benefit, in that it can run nutrient solutions with all Mycorrhizal Inoculants present within the nutrient solution, as the system design does not require any small diameter pipes or spray heads that can clog requiring heavy maintenance and possible damage to the plants— thus giving rise to a symbiotic relationship between plant & bacteria, which protects the plant from rootbased pathogens & increases overall yield & Quality.

The benefits of the mycorrhizae in the nutrient solution are as follows:

1. Enhanced water & nutrient uptake

Water & nutrient uptake is amplified as the root zone of the plant grows & becomes colonised with the plant specific mycorrhizal & hyphae tendril spread forming a colony, thus taking in nutrient elements & water, passing them to the plant. This symbiotic action enhances & accelerates growth & plant fruit production.

2. Reduction of irrigation requirements

Specific root to plant sizing, reduces root zone container size & nutrient mass, by the formation of a root ball mycorrhizal mass sponge, working together maximising plant nutrient uptake whilst cutting water loss due to evaporation.

3. Reduction of nutrient element load & toxic overload.

A reduction of nutrient element load is in turn a reduction on the amount of nutrients required for vigorous growth. By reducing the amounts of nutrient elements within the solution & creating a greatly reduced caustic environment for the plant roots. This action greatly reducing unused nutrient element build up, which can become toxic over time as replacement nutrients are added to a system. This because the mycorrhizae expand nutrient uptake by symbiosis, feeding the plants whilst protecting the vital root zone.

4. Less frequent nutrient solution change

Due to the living mycorrhizae Colony within the root zone, the nutrient solution stays in balance as the plant exudates circulating through the system, are consumed by the mycorrhizae colony of the root zone as they give their beneficial elements back to the plant, whilst at the same time acting as a root nutrient EC buffer and ph buffer.

5. Non beneficial pathogenesis resistance.

As the plant root zone grows, the species-specific mycorrhizal inoculation, starts to impregnate each new root extension forming a mycelium colony of symbiotic mycorrhizal, this forms a web-like net of interconnecting hyphae at a microscopic level, these hyphae can be hundreds of miles long throughout the root zone ball. The mycelium network inoculates the plants by competing with other non-beneficial bacterium for plant nutrients. This competition can only take effect in hydroponic systems as long as the plants root zone forms a tight root ball mass sponge that is dosed with beneficial mycorrhizae inoculants, giving the mycelium network strength in numbers, to compete against invasion of non-beneficial species of bacteria.

6. Increased plant health & stress resistance By introducing plant-specific mycorrhizae into the root zone at an early stage & whilst the roots are expanding, the mycelium network cultivates alongside, feeding the plant with high-grade nutrients & enzymes. This in turn strengthens & accelerates plant mass formation, enhancing all growth factors throughout the plant's life cycle

7. Increase in crop quality & yield

Due to all the benefits of mycelium plant symbiosis, the root zone & plants thrive as nutrients become more readily available for uptake by the root zone, whilst also receiving maximum protection from harmful pathogenic attack. These combined symbiotic actions leave the plant to thrive & not fight for nutrients & against infection, which in turn create stress upon the plant. Thus, leaving the plant to produce more chlorophyll for far greater photosynthesis which in turn greatly increases fruit quality & mass.

Through the use of the present invention, the plant health and growth are kept uniform in size from one plant to the other plants throughout the BCRDWC system & through the plant life cycle, this uniformity takes place because the BCRDWC enriches & mixes the deep-water nutrient solution held in each of the root zone containers at an even and sustainable rate of recirculation.

The spurs may be evenly spaced along the primary nutrient outlet line. Alternatively, the position of the spurs along the primary nutrient outlet line may be adjusted to allow for the differing area requirements of the plants being grown in the system, this spacing allows for light penetration down through the plants, giving rise to more significant photosynthetic activity, this increases overall health and productive output of the plants cultivated.

Each of the root zone containers may be configured such that the root zone nutrient inlet is above the set nutrient solution level contained within the root zone container such that nutrient solution from the root zone nutrient inlet cascades over the roots of the plants contained within the root zone container. By the cascade of the nutrient solution onto the top of the root, the nutrient solution surrounding the root ball is agitated in such a way to prevent high salt concentrations collecting at points around the root zone ball, which can become toxic if left unchecked for any length of time. This toxic salt concentration and build-up can lead to a negative impact upon growth, plant health & wellbeing, or can cause plant necrosis & death if not corrected or prevented. Also, by cascading the nutrient solution into the root zone container and onto the top of the roots, the flow of the cascading solution breaks surface tension carrying with it extra oxygen, which circulates the root zone. The one or more root zone containers may be removable. The root zone nutrient outlets and inlets may comprise removable connection points. As such, a user may be able to close the root zone valve, wait for the system to drain, then decouple the root zone container from the system at the root zone nutrient inlets and outlets. This allows for cleaning, maintenance or replacing of individual root zone containers without shutting down the whole system.

The root zone nutrient return may be placed at the bottom opposing side to the root zone nutrient inlet. This provides the benefit of the root zone container being able to be fully trained by gravity. Once there is enough gravitational force generated by nutrient solution in the root zone container to push the nutrient fluid out through the root zone nutrient return, the nutrient solution enters the nutrient return line where it enters a negative pressure environment, created by the suction of pump built into the head sump container unit.

The one or more root zone containers may further comprise along with the oxygen bubblers placed at the bottom of each root zone container. As with all deep-water hydroponics, oxygen is preferably injected at each root zone for optimal function of the system, keeping the nutrient solution at maximum oxygenated levels, for plant health.

The one or more root zone containers may comprise a level indicator, the level indicator may be a transparent vertical section of the root zone container. Preferably, the level indicator is a level indicating sight glass. This advantageously giving the operator a visual indicator of possible root blockage. As the root zone valves in the system ensure that the level of nutrient solution in the root zone containers remain approximately constant, the level indicator shows an increase in the level of nutrient solution in a root zone container, this implies a blockage. The blockage may be caused by roots of the plant in the container growing into the root zone nutrient outlet of the root zone container and blocking nutrient solution from exiting the root zone container. Such identification of root blockage is less time consuming that by visual inspection and is more readily automated.

The pump may be further configured to draw nutrient solution from the one or more root zone containers and back to the head sump container so as to speed up circulation of the nutrient solution. This may be achieved by the pump being a bottom suction submersible pump causing a negative pressure in the primary nutrient return line. This will assist in increasing the number of circulations of fluid per hour which in turn has benefits for plant growth.

The head sump unit may comprise a lid to reduce evaporation and contamination.

The head sump unit comprises an adjustable auto top off valve. Adjustable auto top off valve may preferably be a float valve. A user can configure the valve to a pre-set nutrient solution level in the head sump unit. This level may preferably be the level in the head sump unit that corresponds to the level in the one or more root zone containers being between 10 and 40mm below the growing medium.

By containing the roots to preset size in nutrient solution, the present invention allows a root ball sponge to form in the root zone containers suspended by its own weight under the surface of the nutrient solution. In conventional soil based growing, a root ball sponge would lead to diminished plant size (bonsai), which creates root binding however, due to the constant feeding with cascading nutrient solution, this effect is not observed in the present invention. In fact, the presence of a root ball sponge allows for the mycorrhizae in the nutrient solution to bond and thrive within the root ball sponge. The mycorrhizae have a symbiotic relationship with the roots of the plant. The mycorrhizae reproduce by sending out hyphae. In traditional prior art systems, a root ball cannot be formed as there is not enough circulation of nutrients throughout the root system as the roots start to which would lead to toxic salt build-up if a root ball formed. Prior art systems get around this issue by using larger root sone containers to prevent the build-up. The hyphae in prior art deep water hydroponics systems therefore cannot be contained in a root ball and will instead be damaged by water currents and unable to reproduce and form a symbiotic relationship with the roots.

In the present invention, the nutrient solution surrounding the root ball sponge is agitated by the cascading solution and the effect of root nutrient pass through from the root zone nutrient inlet in such a way to prevent high salt concentrations collecting at points around the root zone ball. This allows for the formation of a root ball sponge. A root ball sponge is a web of roots and mycorrhizae that have formed in the root ball.

In experiments it has been found that at the point the plants had adjusted into full fruit formation, the plant roots had developed a strong & dense root ball mass sponge within the root-zone container. The BCRDWC hydroponic system allows for a continues flow of nutrients through the root ball of the plant, without damaging the vital mycorrhizal hyphae of the mycelium network. By creating a balanced and controlled root zone environment for the mycelium network to grow alongside the plant roots, the plants when in full fruit formation have massive root energy supplying nutrients into the fruit, which in return gives a far greater return in quality & quantity, whilst at the same time protecting the root zone from dangerous pathogenic attack without the use of damaging chemicals which have a detrimental effect upon a crops potential yield.

The size of the root zone container can vary based on plant size and may assist in the formation of a root ball and as a result, a root ball sponge. As for example if we were to grow a fast growing annual known for great root mass & depth and we wanted a 1.5-meter-tall plant, that has been trained for maximum fruiting heads we would utilize a 2Oltr root-zone container, with a recirculating fluid level of 9ltrs per root-zone attached to the system & with a recirculation of 20 cycles per hour, 3 minute complete through put of the root zone , in this configuration the container allows for the formation of the root ball sponge as the plant grows & increases root mass, whilst the mycelium network also increases its density throughout the root ball sponge, feeding the plant bio nutrient enzymes & protecting the vital root system. Thus, enhancing all bio activity within the plant structure.

The adjustable auto top-up valve may comprise a flow meter such that the amount of nutrient solution ingress into the head sump unit can be monitored.

The system may further comprise a top-up tank, the top up tank configured to hold nutrient solution, preferably nutrient solution. The top up tank may be connected to the head sump unit through a top up line such that nutrient solution from the top up tank can be introduced into the head sump unit. The top up line may be connected to the head sump unit through the adjustable auto top up valve.

If the level of nutrient solution drops below the pre-set level, the valve may open allowing nutrient solution from the top up tank into the head sump unit to top up the system. Once the nutrient solution reaches the pre-set level, the adjustable auto top up valve will close leaving the nutrient solution level in the head sump unit at the pre-set level.

Alternatively, the adjustable auto top-up valve may be connected to a controller, the controller may be configured to open the valve once the nutrient solution level in the head sump unit reaches a level a predetermined amount below the pre-set level in the head sump unit. The controller may then close the valve once the pre-set level has either been reached or exceeded by a second predetermined amount. This is beneficial because flow meters are generally less accurate at low flow rates, therefore, by ensuring that the top up will be of a larger volume of nutrient solution due to the level in the head sump unit decreasing to the predetermined amount below the pre-set level, the valve will be open wider to allow faster flow, and more accurate nutrient ingress readings will be acquired.

Top up tank may comprise a stirrer to agitate the nutrient solution and keep it uniformly mixed.

The top up tank may comprise an air bubbler to keep the nutrient solution oxygenated before it is input into the head sump unit.

The system may further comprise a fill tank. The fill tank may be removably connected to a fill point of the system via a fill pipe. This allows the fill tank to be connected to the system when the system is to be filled or flushed, and then disconnected after fil ling/f lushing. The fill tank may comprise a pump to move nutrient solution from the fill tank into the fill point of the system. The pump of the fill tank may preferably be a bottom suction submersible pump. The fill point may comprise a flow meter for determining the volume of nutrient solution being input into the system.

The head sump unit may comprise a fill level indicator. This will allow the unit to be filled to the same level consistently after a nutrient solution change, regardless of the amount of root mass that has developed in the root zone containers in the system. As root mass develops it will displace the nutrient solution in the root zone containers, and as a result, filling the system with the same volume of nutrient solution each time could lead to overflow. Further this may allow for the overall volume of root below the nutrient solution level of the root zone containers calculated, if the volume of nutrient solution used to fill the system to a particular level at each fill and refill is known.

The adjustable auto top of valve may be configured such that when the nutrient solution drops below a certain level in the head sump unit, the pump shuts off until the nutrient solution rises above the level of the adjustable auto top off valve.

The growing medium may comprise a net pot. The net pot acts as a setting and root anchor point, and may be filled with an inert growing medium, as example rock wool cubes or other inert growing material. The inert growing material allows for younger plants with root systems that would not fill the net pot to be introduced into the system, providing a stable growing medium for said plants as their roots grow to fill and exit the pot. The roots of the plant grow through the inert growing material & enter the oxygen enriched nutrient solution in the bottom of the root zone container where they thrive and draw all nutrients for the upper green foliage. The net pot allows the roots to grow freely without constriction until root penetration of the nutrients contained at a pre-set level within the root zone environments yet provides enough structure to support the plant.

The head sump unit may comprise a heating or cooling element for heating or cooling the nutrient solution in the system. The heating and cooling element may further comprise a thermostat such that a user can set a temperature of the nutrient solution and the heater will maintain that temperature. The head sump unit may comprise one or more water testing sensors, the sensors may be configured to test one or more of pH levels, Nutrient levels, temperature, oxygen levels. This would allow a controller to automatically determiner what needs to be added to the nutrient solution to bring it back to the optimum balance.

The system may include one or more filters. It may be preferable that each of the root zone containers comprises one or more strainers, the strainers may further preferably be positioned at the root zone nutrient return to prevent any debris from the root ball being sucked back into the head sump unit and through the pump. The strainers may preferably have apertures between 1mm and 20mm in diameter, further preferably between 7mm and 15mm to ensure removal of larger detritus but whilst having apertures large enough to not become clogged by mycorrhizae used in the nutrient solution circulating around the system.

The pump capacity may be dependent upon the number of root containers attached to the head sump unit.

It is to be understood that the present invention, i.e., the joints between the head sump unit, lines and containers, are intended to be watertight to ensure no loss of water through leaking and to reduce losses through evaporation unless the system is drained purposefully. This makes the present system more efficient and better able to maintain optimum nutrient concentration.

In another aspect, the present invention may comprise a method for using the system as described above. The method comprising, filling the system with nutrient solution. Opening all the root zone valves to fully open, Turning on the pump. The nutrient solution contains mycorrhizae. By using nutrient solution containing mycorrhizae, the plants in the system are inoculated against diseases such as root rot.

As the pump pressurises the main nutrient feed lines the root zone valves should be placed in the fully open position on all spur lines allowing the nutrient solution to flow into the root zone containers at an initially unbalanced rate, as the nutrient solution will always flow at a greater volume to the first spur point on the main feed line.

The method further comprises adjusting the root zone valves until the rate of nutrient solution ingress into each of the root zone containers is the same. This may be determined by observing the nutrient solution level in each of the root zone containers as the nutrient solution level in the root zone containers is a result of the balance of the rate of nutrient solution in through the root zone nutrient inlet and nutrient solution exiting through the root zone nutrient outlet.

The method may include adjusting the valves of the root zone containers such that the nutrient solution level is between 10 and 40mm below the bottom of the growing medium. A typical depth of nutrient solution in a root zone container for the present invention is in the range 10 to 25cm. The root zone valves may preferably be adjusted from the first root zone valve to the last spur point flow valve along the main nutrient feed lines. The first root zone valve being the root zone valve closest to the head sump unit along the primary nutrient outlet line. By making small incremental adjustments from the first to the last in the line thus balancing the flow volume of nutrient solution to each root zone container.

By containing the roots in nutrient solution, the present invention allows a root ball sponge to form in the root zone containers and suspended within the nutrient solution. In conventional soil based growing, a root ball sponge would lead to diminished plant size (bonsai) this due to lack of nutrient pass through of the confined root system, however, due to the constant feeding with nutrient solution and root nutrient pass through effect created by the combined elements of the BCRDWC system, this effect is not observed in the present invention. In fact, the presence of a root ball mass sponge allows for the mycorrhizae in the nutrient solution to thrive within the root ball whilst allowing for nutrients to reach all parts of the fine root structure. The mycorrhizae have a symbiotic relationship with the fine roots of the plant. The mycorrhizae reproduce by sending out hyphae. In traditional prior art systems, a root ball sponge cannot be formed as there is not enough circulation of nutrients throughout the root system which would lead to toxic salt build-up if a root ball formed. Prior art systems get around this issue by using larger root containers to prevent the build-up. The endomycorrhiza hyphae and ectomycorrhiza in prior art deep water hydroponics systems therefore cannot be contained in a root ball sponge formation and will instead be damaged by water currents and unable to reproduce and form a balanced symbiotic relationship with the roots.

In the present invention, the nutrient solution surrounding the root ball is agitated by the cascading solution from the root zone nutrient inlet in such a way to prevent high salt concentrations collecting at points in and around the root ball sponge. This allows for the formation of a root ball sponge. A root ball sponge is a web of roots and mycorrhizae that have formed in the root ball sponge. It was found that at the point the plants had adjusted into full fruit formation, the plant roots had developed a strong & dense root ball mass sponge within the root-zone container. The BCRDWC hydroponic system allows for a continues flow of nutrients through the root ball mass sponge of the plant, without damaging the vital endomycorrhizal hyphae of the mycelium network or the washing away of the ectomycorrhiza sheath around the fine fibrous root structure. By creating a balanced and controlled root zone environment for the mycelium network to grow alongside the plant roots, the plants when in full fruit formation have massive root energy supplying nutrients into the fruit, which in return gives a far greater return in quality & quantity, whilst at the same time protecting the root zone from dangerous pathogenic attack without the use of damaging chemicals which have a detrimental effect upon a crops potential yield.

The size of the root zone container can vary based on plant size and may assist in the formation of a root ball and as a result, a root ball sponge. As for example if we were to grow a fast growing annual known for great root mass & depth and we wanted a 1.5-meter-tall plant, that has been trained for maximum fruiting heads we would utilize a 2Oltr root-zone container, with a recirculating fluid level of 9ltrs per root-zone attached to the system & with a recirculation of 20 cycles per hour, 3 minute complete through put of the root zone , in this configuration the container allows for the formation of the root ball sponge as the plant grows & increases root mass, whilst the mycelium network also increases its density throughout the root ball sponge, feeding the plant bio nutrient enzymes & protecting the vital root system. Thus, enhancing all bio activity within the plant structure.

Once the root ball sponge has been fully formed, if and when the system is topped up or completely refilled with nutrient solution, there may be no need to include mycorrhizae in the newly added solution and at this point the system is self inoculating in that each root ball contains a network of mycorrhizae that will continue to reproduce and assist the plant without the need for additional mycorrhizae to be added to the system.

Through balancing the BCRDWC system using a valve system as described, each root zone container receives an equal amount of nutrient solution passing through the root zone of each plant along the, giving maximum nutrient oxygen & water uptake by the plants' root zone at a balanced and equal rate. This action creates a uniform growth rate of plants along the line, which is the desired outcome of all growers alike. Also, this function of control, using valves at each root zone container allows for the expandability as previously mentioned. Once the system is balanced, the method may comprise placing a plant in the growing medium of each of the root zone containers. It is preferable to place the plants in the root zone containers after balancing the system to avoid the plants being damaged by the unbalanced flow during setup.

The function and capabilities of the BCRDWC hydroponic system are greatly dependent upon all components and positioning of components working synergistically to create the correct balanced root zone environment for a root bound root ball sponge to develop and function, utilizing root nutrient pass through with enhanced maximum capabilities, allowing for the full beneficial and enhanced use of mycorrhizal inoculation techniques of the now and future. As unless root nutrient pass through is employed in the development of a root ball sponge the systems would not be able to sustain growth and would become susceptible to the same effect as root binding mentioned. So to form a root ball sponge, root nutrient pass through effect and effectively inoculate the root zone of the plant all components of the BCRDWC hydroponic system and function must be employed as described size dependent upon requirements. Detailed Description

The present invention will now be described in terms of the following figures.

(Fig 1) Side elevation possible Head Sump Unit

(Fig 2) Plan of possible Head Sump Unit

(Fig 3) Plan of Possible system layout, Showing Head sump unit in connection to Root Zone containers

(Fig 4) Side elevation of possible Root zone container

(Fig 5) Plan of Possible Root zone container

(Fig 6) Plan of Possible Nutrient fluid flow

(Fig 7) Plan of possible multiple root zone system

(Fig 8) Side elevation of possible system including tanks

(Fig 9) Plan of possible system including tanks

(Fig 10) Side elevation of head sump unit and root zone container showing nutrient solution flow and levels

(Fig 11) Plan of head sump unit and root zone container showing nutrient solution flow and levels

Figures 1 and 2 show the head sump unit 100 from a side on and pan view respectively. The head sump unit 100 comprises a container, within the container a pump 101, in this case a bottom suction submersible pump BSSP. Wherein a pipe 102 extends from the pump then splits at a junction 103 into an outlet valved arm 105 and a waste valved arm 104, the outlet valved arm 105 is connected to the primary nutrient outlet feed arm 107, 109, 111, 112 through the head sump nutrient outlet and the waste valved arm 104 is connected to the waste outlet pipe 106 through the waste outlet in the head sump unit; wherein the outlet arm comprises an outlet valve and the waste arm comprises a waste valve. The waste arm passes through an aperture in the wall of the head sump unit, the waste outlet, and into the waste outlet pipe 106

The pipes through both the waste outlet and nutrient outlet are each connected using a watertight seal 108.

Figures 1 and 2 also show the fill point 110. The fill point may also serve as a flush point, i.e., the system may be filled with nutrient solution and run with the view to cultivate plants in the root zone containers. Alternatively, water or a cleaning solution may be introduced through the fill point 110 and the system pump run to flush out and clean the system circulating cleaning fluid back to the pump & out to waste collection.

In figure 1, the primary nutrient outlet arm comprises a T junction, 'tee', pipe section 109 with the straight section of the tee positioned up and down in relation to the head sump unit 100. The fill point 110 sits above the tee pipe section. The fill point 110 may be valved, to stop return flow or may be capped off whilst the system is in recirculation mode. Placed in the down section of the tee pipe straight is a nominal section of pipe 111 leading to a connection joint 112 at the bottom of nominal section of the pipe 111 to allow for the connection to an additional section of the primary nutrient feed outlet arm that feeds the root zone containers. The head sump unit in figures 1 and 2 also comprises an adjustable auto top off valve 113 this may be referred to as AATOFV. The AATOFV 113 is may be placed at the opposing side to the head sump nutrient returns 204. This position prevents incorrect control values, due to possible buffeting from the returning nutrient solution upon the adjustable control float.

Figure 3 discloses the head sump unit as described in figures 1 and 2, with the addition of a section of the system including the primary nutrient outlet 201 and two primary nutrient returns 204.

The primary nutrient outlet line exits the head sump unit 100 and splits into two at a T-section of pipe. Following one of the subsequent arms of the T-section, the primary nutrient outlet line continues until it reaches a spur 304. The spur comprises a T-section of pipe 202, the T-section may be a reducing tee off pipe section (the reducing tee off pipe section may have a predetermined internal diameter of the reduction section of the said tee point, dependent upon the requirements of the user and flow required). The primary nutrient outlet line 201 extends either side of the straight section of the T section, the section of the T-section that is perpendicular to the primary nutrient outlet line 201 connects to a root zone container 306 at a root zone nutrient inlet 305. The root zone nutrient inlet is preferably formed of a watertight seal. The spur 304 comprises a root zone valve 302.

The root zone container 306 further comprises a root zone nutrient outlet 203, an air bubbler 309 and a level indicating sight glass 307.

Following the T-section 202, the primary nutrient outlet line 201 continues before reaching another spur 304, the spur 304 is configured on the same manner as described above and attached to a root zone container. As such, the system may comprise any number of spurs and root zone containers.

Both root zone containers 306 in figure 3 also comprise a root zone nutrient return 203, the root zone nutrient return 203 connects to the primary nutrient return line 204. In the system described in figure 3, there are 2 primary nutrient return lines 204, the second primary nutrient return line serves the root zone containers 306 (not pictured) that would be served by the arm of the primary nutrient outlet 201 that split to the right at the t-section of pipe following the head sump nutrient outlet.

Figures 4 and 5 show a root zone container 306 in side on cross section and top-down views respectively. Nutrient solution may enter the root zone container 306 through the root zone nutrient inlet 305. The root zone nutrient inlet is connected to a spur 304 that is fed by the primary nutrient outlet feed line. The spur begins at a T-section 202 and continues vertically upwards through a root zone valve 302 before entering the root zone container at the root zone nutrient inlet 305. In this figure it can be seen how the nutrient solution will flow from the root zone nutrient inlet, cascading over the roots of a plant that have grown through the net pot 308. The roots of the plant will then settle into the deep-water nutrient solution flowing and contained within the root zone container where they can be oxygenated by the air bubbler 310, the air bubbler 310 draws air from an air inlet 309 that is positioned in the side of the root zone container. When the plants are small/in their infancy, the roots of the plant will be contained within the net pot. At this stage, the plants will get nutrients from the cascade of nutrient solution coming from the root zone nutrient inlet 305. As the plants grow, their root system will extend down into the root zone container to feed off the nutrient solution that settles at the base of the container. The level of nutrient solution in the rootzone container may be determined by the user using the level indicating sight glass 307. The level indicating sight glass is preferably positioned to give the user a precise indication of the nutrient fluid levels within the root zone container. The nutrient levels within the root zone container may be adjusted using the adjustable auto top off valve 113. The net pot 308 is positioned at the top of the root zone container and may be chosen to have the optimum size required for the plants being cultivated. The net pot acts as a setting and root anchor point and may be filled with an inert growing medium, as example rock wool cubes or other inert growing material. The roots of the plant grow through the inert growing material & enter the oxygen enriched nutrient solution where they thrive and draw all nutrients for the upper green foliage.

At the lowest point of the side of the root zone container 306 is the root zone nutrient return 203. The root zone nutrient return is preferably on the opposing side of the root zone container 306 to the root zone nutrient inlet 305 to allow the cascading nutrients to pass through the root zone maximising nutrient replenishment of the root zone. In figure 3, the root zone nutrient return leads to a Tee section pipe, the straight sections of the tee section pipe forming part of the primary nutrient return line 204. The nutrient return line 204 which connects each root zone container in line back to the head sump unit 100.

It should be noted that for the root zone container furthest from the head sump unit along each arm of the primary nutrient outlet line 201, the spur 304 and the root zone nutrient return 203 will be not have a tee section of pipe, rather the primary nutrient outlet line 201 will be connected to a root zone valve and then into the root zone nutrient inlet of the furthest root zone container. The primary nutrient return line will effectively begin at the root zone nutrient outlet of the furthest root zone container. This is effectively described in figure 6. In figure 6, the primary nutrient outlet line 201 leaves the head sump unit and splits at a tee section of pipe into two primary nutrient outlet lines. Along each arm of the primary nutrient outlet lines there are 4 spurs 304, the 3 spurs closest to the head sump unit are facilitated by tee sections of pipe allowing the primary nutrient outlet line to continue. At the 4 ^th and final spur, the primary nutrient outlet line 201 terminates at the root zone nutrient inlet of the 4 ^th (furthest) root zone container. For each arm of the primary nutrient outlet feed line 201 there is a corresponding primary nutrient return line 204. The primary nutrient return lines 204 begin at the furthest (4 ^th in this case but any number of root zone containers is conceivable) root zone container along their respective arm of the primary nutrient outlet line 201 and continue back towards the head sump unit 100, joining with the root zone nutrient returns of the root zone containers served by respective arm of the primary nutrient outlet line 201 before connecting to the head sump unit 100.

Figure 7 illustrates an expansion of the concept shown in figure 6. In this case, the primary nutrient outlet line 201 splits into 4 so that 4 runs of root zone containers can be served in parallel. As the primary nutrient outlet feed line is split into 4, there are 4 corresponding primary nutrient return lines 204, each serving a run of root zone containers. In the figures each run of root zone containers are shown as being in straight lines, this is for clarity only and is not intended to be limiting. One of the benefits of the present invention being that the system can be adapted to fit into the space that a user has available, this may require arranging the root zone containers in concentric circles for example.

Figures 8 and 9 show top down and side elevations respectively of a system including a head sump unit 100 and a root zone container 306 connected as disclosed in figure 3. Although only 1 root zone container is shown, this system could be configured with a plurality of root zone containers arranged for example like those in figures 6 and 7. The system includes an auto refill tank 400 and a fill tank 410. The auto refill tank is connected to the head sump unit through the adjustable auto top off valve 113 via an auto refill pipe 420. The fill tank 410 is connected to the fill point 110 of the system via a fill pipe 440. The fill tank 410 comprises a pump 450 to pump nutrient solution from the fill tank 410 through the fill point 110. Figure 10 and 11 show close ups of figures 8 and 9 without the tanks. The function of the system is illustrated with arrows indicating the direction of nutrient solution flow through the system. The pump 101 draws nutrient solution in the head sump container up through the pump 101 and into the primary nutrient outlet line 201. The primary nutrient outlet line 201 carries nutrient solution from the pump at a positive pressure into the foot zone container, the nutrient solution cascades over into the root zone container onto the root ball, the root ball being the roots outside of the net pot. The roots grow out of the net pot and into the nutrient solution below the net pot. Preferably, the nutrient solution is between 10 and 40mm below the base of the net pot. In the nutrient solution, the roots grow to fill the root zone container becoming effectively root bound and thus forming a root ball. The mycorrhizae in the nutrient solution can reproduce inside the root ball by sending out hyphae to attach onto another part of the root. This is possible as the hyphae are prevented from damage by the root ball. This allows for the formation of a root ball sponge.

The nutrient solution level in the root zone container is as a result of the balance between the nutrient solution ingress rate through the root zone nutrient inlet and the nutrient solution egress rate through the root zone nutrient outlet. The nutrient solution returns from the root zone container via the primary nutrient return line 204 aided by gravity and negative pressure from the pump 101.

UPON REC'D AS BLANK SEE RO/132