WO2023099439A1

WO2023099439A1 - Plantable device

Info

Publication number: WO2023099439A1
Application number: PCT/EP2022/083591
Authority: WO
Inventors: Harrie Maurice LÖVENSTEIN; Arnout Jan Asjes
Original assignee: Land Life Company B.V.
Priority date: 2021-11-30
Filing date: 2022-11-29
Publication date: 2023-06-08
Also published as: EP4440293A1

Abstract

The invention is directed to a plantable device (25) for planting and growing a plant comprising of a substrate comprising a single seed or multiple seeds and/or micro-propagated plant material, and a plantable device base (1) comprising a flange (2), a first longitudinal part (3a) at a first side of the flange (2) and a second converging part (3b) extending from the second side of the flange (2) and towards a plug like end (4). The converging part (3b) is comprised of at least three ribs (5) extending from the second side of the flange (2) and converging to the plug like end (4) thereby defining an inner space (6) in which the substrate comprising a single seed or multiple seeds and/or micro-propagated plant material is present. The flange (2) is comprised of two or more parts which are releasably connected to each other.

Description

PLANTABLE DEVICE

The invention is directed to a plantable device comprising of the plantable device base and a substrate comprising plantable material positioned in an inner space of the plantable device base.

US2005/0166452 describes a cylindrical planter for plants which planter can be suspended from an elevated support, like a ceiling. From the tubular side walls, which may be a flexible bag like material, plants can grow. These plants are positioned in this side wall making use of a plant insertion sleeve. These sleeves have a flange and a converging part with openings. Within the converging part the roots of a plant are present. The flange and converging part is comprised of two parts which are releasably connected to each other and which hinge at the converging end. When positioned the sleeve protrudes the wall such that the flange and the growing plant extend from the planter and the roots are positioned with the planter. The sleeve is meant to remain in the planter as such.

EP2355648 describes a tubular plantable device base made of polystyrene with an integrated degradation accelerator. The tubular part is provided with a space for a substrate consisting of peat at one end of a disc with an opening. At the other end of the disc a protective tubular shield for the growing plant is present. The tubular device is open at its, in use, lower side to allow roots to grow out. A problem with the tubular plantable device base of EP2355648 is that the device itself inhibits the growth of the plant. For example, the roots can only grow from the lower open end and side way rooting is more restricted. Additionally side walls limit wetting and drainage of the soil inside a tubular device base.

EP1216611 describes a plantable device base having a shroud, which is supposed to extend above the soil when planted and a lower portion which is buried in the soil. The upper and lower parts are connected in a releasable manner at a flange, for example by means of a bayonet closure. The plantable devices are designed such that multiple devices can be connected to each other which makes storage and handling of numerous devices easier. A problem of this plantable device base is that it inhibits the growth of the plant. For example, the roots can only grow from the lower open end. US4016678 describes a plantable device base made of a tubular net of longitudinal strands and transverse strands. The transverse strands are less strong as compared to the longitudinal strands and may break when the plant grows. The lower end of the tube may be held together with a ring such that a pointed end is achieved. The material may be a water soluble cellulose or biodegradable materials such as amylose starch. A problem the plantable device of US4016678 is that when the device is inserted into the soil in an automated manner and with some force the plantable device may deform due to the forces applied on it.

EP2633753 describes a foldable plantable device base made of a biodegradable sheet material. A disadvantage is that in use the devices have to be unfolded, a substrate with plantable material has to be added and the resulting plantable device has to be positioned in a premanufactured hole in the soil. Thus numerous handling has to be performed making automatic planting difficult. Further, when this plantable device is inserted into the soil in an automated manner and with some force the plantable device may deform due to the forces applied on it.

It is an object of the disclosure to provide a plantable device that addresses at least one of the above problems.

The object is achieved with the following plantable device for planting and growing a plant comprising of a substrate comprising a single seed or multiple seeds and/or micro-propagated plant material, and a plantable device base comprising a flange, a first longitudinal part at a first side of the flange and a second converging part extending from the second side of the flange and towards a plug like end, wherein the converging part is comprised of at least three ribs extending from the second side of the flange and converging to the plug like end thereby defining an inner space in which the substrate comprising a single seed or multiple seeds is present, and wherein the flange is comprised of two or more parts which are releasably connected to each other.

Applicants found that when the plantable device is inserted into the soil the roots of the growing plant can more easily grow via the openings between the ribs as present along the side of the plantable device. Further the radially expanding stem will not be hindered by the device because of the fact that the flange is comprised of two or more parts which are releasably connected. When pressure is exercised by the growing plant and especially by the radially expanding stem these parts will easily disconnect. Because the device has a plug like end an easier protrusion of the soil when the device is placed is achieved. Further the ribs protect the substrate and the growing plant against burrowing rodents. Further advantages will be described when discussing the invention in more detail below.

Further the plantable device contains seed, seeds or micro-propagated plant material instead of young plants. This enables one to store, transport and handle the plantable devices in a simpler fashion as one would do so when the plantable device contains young plants. Further the plantable device as such is meant to remain in the soil after positioning in a planting pit and not removed while the plant grows. The growing plant is also not intended be transplanted.

Terms like upper, lower, above, below, horizontal, downward and upward are used in this description to more clearly describe the plantable device in its vertical use position where the plug like end is the lower end. The use of these terms are not in any way meant to limit the invention to only plantable device base or plantable devices in such vertical orientation.

The plantable device base suitably can adopt an open configuration when the flange parts are not connected and a closed configuration when the flange parts are connected. In the open configuration the substrate is placeable into an inner space position which becomes the inner space in the closed configuration. This placement of the substrate is simpler than placement of the plantable material in the prior art devices. The plantable device base extends in a longitudinal direction from the first longitudinal part via the flange to the second converging part and towards the plug like end. The plane of the flange is transversely positioned with respect to the longitudinal device base.

The inner space is present for placement of a substrate. The substrate is caged in by the ribs of the of the converging part and the flange. The flange will have an opening by definition. This opening enables the growing plant to grow from the inner space upwardly. The opening is suitably such that it does not allow the substrate to pass this opening. Because of the openings between the ribs a reaction force on the substrate may result when the plantable device is positioned in the soil. This reaction force will try to push the substrate upwards. By having a smaller opening in the flange the substrate may be kept withing the inner space when planting. For example for a circular opening the inner part of the second side of the flange will keep the substrate in its position within the inner space.

The outer periphery of the flange may have any shape, such as a circular, oval or a multi-sided shape. Preferably the flange has a hexagonal shape. Such a shape enables one to store multiple plantable devices next to each other in a space efficient manner. Suitably two opposite sides are provided with releasable connecting means, for example releasable malefemale connectors, such as snap fit connectors, such to obtain a row of connected plantable devices. Such a row, also referred to as a cartridge, may in turn be used as feed for an automatic planting device when planting multiple plantable devices. This is advantageous because no additional trays or the like have to be used. This avoids that a waste product is left over after planting the plantable devices. One could imagine that such trays are recycled and reused. Such reuse would however involve phytosanitary measures which makes such a reuse complex.

The flange may extend transversely such to avoid that the plantable device is positioned too deep in a planting pit. Further it provides stability to the preferably vertically positioned plantable device. The flange, which may extend up to 5 cm outwards relative to the longitudinal first part. If no separate shield is used, as will be described below, it may even be preferred to have an even greater flange which partly functions as a shield. The flange suitably has a surface area at its first side which enables one to exert a downwardly pushing force when positioning the plantable device in the soil. The first longitudinal part at the first side of the flange must then allow room for such a surface area.

The flange is comprised of two or more parts which are releasably connected to each other. The number of parts may be for example 2 to 4 parts. Most practical number of parts is two. These parts may be segments of the flange. The connection may suitably involve a releasable male and female connectors, such as a snap fit connectors. The releasable connection is preferably strong enough such that the plantable device does not fall apart when stored, transported or positioned in a planting pit and releasable when the stem of a growing plant exercises a radially extending force on the connection. The opening in the flange may be circular. Such a shape is preferred when the number of flange parts is at least three. When the flange is comprised of two parts it is preferred that the opening is noncircular as will be described below in more detail.

The flange is suitably comprised of two parts which are releasably connected to each other at two connection points. Thus for example by means of the releasable connecting means as described above at both connection points. The two parts are suitably equally shaped. In order to achieve that the radially growing stem of the plant can push the two parts of the flange apart it is preferred that the opening in the flange is designed such that the transverse distance along a first axis between the two connection points is greater than the largest transverse distance between the two parts of the flange along a second axis which runs perpendicular with respect of the first axis. In this way the growing stem will exert a radially extending force to the two flange parts when its transverse size reaches this largest transverse distance along said second axis. This force will eventually result in that the releasable connections open and that the growing stem gets room for further growth.

The first longitudinal part is suitably comprised of structural elements extending from and connected to a part of the flange. The structural element extending from one part of the flange is not connected to a structural element extending from another part of the flange or a structural element extending from one part of the flange is releasably connected to a structural element extending from another part of the flange. This is favourable to enable the above described open and closed configuration of the plantable device base.

The structural elements are preferably spikes with ridged shape and/or pointed ends to physically frustrate animal damage to dormant or growing plant material and/or protecting plants against high irradiation and desiccating winds. Preferably 3 to 10 spikes, for example 6 spikes, may be present as the structural elements. The spikes may have a star shaped cross-section such to obtain a strong spike at minimal weight. The spikes may be interconnected and/or comprise lateral extensions, for example perpendicular to the spikes, such to create smaller openings between the spikes and thus avoid animals reaching and eating the growing plants. The structural elements may alternatively have spherical or cylindrical surfaces, optionally provided with openings for light penetration and ventilation. The structural elements may extends for 10 to 30 cm from the flange.

Preferably the flange has a certain thickness and an opening defining an inner surface at the opening of the flange. To avoid tree girdling of a radially growing stem by this inner surface of the flange it is preferred that part of the first structural element, for example a spike, has an inner surface which is flush with the inner surface of the flange. In this way the growing stem will meet a larger area along its length when it grows thereby avoiding the afore mentioned tree girdling. Further more force can be exercised on the connection means of the flange resulting in an earlier opening of these connection means. The first structural element, for example a spike, are preferably flush for a first part and diverging somewhat outwardly when the distance from the flange increases. In this way room is created for receiving the plug like end of a next plantable device base or plantable device. In this way vertical stacking is possible.

The structural elements in the closed configuration may for some plants and conditions be sufficient to protect the growing plant. When further protection is required it may be advantageous to place a shroud around or on the first longitudinal part. Such a shroud may be combined with the plantable device base when the plantable base is positioned in a planting pit. It may be advantageous to place such a shroud when the seeds germinate and the plant has started to grow. In this way the more complex shroud types as described below will only be used for successfully positioned plantable devices.

The structural elements in the closed configuration may thus suitably allow to place a shroud around the first longitudinal part. Preferably the structural elements suitably together result in a cylindrical outer periphery of the first longitudinal part. This allows to place a tubular protecting shroud around the first longitudinal part. Obviously other shaped shrouds, such as multi-sided shrouds, may be used in combination with corresponding shaped structural elements. The structural elements are suitably ribs which extend in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the flange from the first side of the flange. The structural elements may be provided with connection means to fix a shroud. Suitably the spikes tilt slightly outwards, for example 1 to 2 degrees from the longitudinal axis. By compressing the spikes when placing the shroud and subsequently releasing the spikes a fixation of the shroud by the expanding spikes is achieved. Alternatively or in combination one or more spikes may be provided with a click finger which can interact with an opening in the shroud. A shroud with such an opening is positioned on the spikes such that the click finger interacts with the opening and thus fixes the shroud onto the spikes.

It is advantageous that the shroud and the structural elements are made of a different material. This allows one to use a shroud which is more biodegradable and/or which may extend to a higher elevation without increasing the weight of the plantable device.

The plantable device base comprises of a flange, a first longitudinal part and a second converging part. The part of the flange is preferably connected to a part of the first longitudinal part and to a part of the second converging part. More specifically the part of the flange is preferably connected to a part of the structural elements, for example to one or more spikes, and to one or more ribs. The part of the flange which is connected to a part of the first longitudinal part and to a part of the second converging part is preferably one piece made by moulding, preferably injection moulding. More especially the part of the flange connected to a part of the structural elements, for example to one or more spikes, and to one or more ribs is preferably one piece made by moulding, preferably injection moulding. Even more preferably the flange is made of two parts and wherein the two halves each comprising of structural elements, ribs and half of the flange. Most preferably the two halves are identical making handling and manufacture more simple. Such a part may be made by moulding, preferably injection moulding.

The converging part is comprised of at least three ribs extending from the second side of the flange. Preferably from 4 to 8 ribs are present enabling unrestricted root growth into ambient soil via the resulting openings between the ribs. In a preferred embodiment the flange is comprised of two parts which are releasably connected to each other and wherein from each flange part two or preferably three ribs extend to a common half end. Suitably the resulting two half ends are releasably connected to form the plug like end. In this preferred embodiment the plantable device base consists of two parts which are connected at the flange and at the plug like end. The connection at the plug like end avoids that the two half ends part away from each other at the plug like end when the plantable device is position in a planting pit.

The ribs are suitably provided with barbs to more firmly anchor the plantable device into the soil when positioned. The ribs preferably have an edge at their exterior side to enhance positioning of the plantable device in the soil.

The three or more ribs, said otherwise the at least three ribs, extending from the second side of the flange converge to the plug like end. The inner space defined by the flange and the ribs is for placing a substrate. This space is defined by an inner part of the flange, a transverse opening of the flange and an inner sides of the ribs and an inner side of the plug like end. The inner side of the plug like end may be composed of part of the inner side of the lower part of the ribs. The preferred substrate suitable has about the shape of the inner space such that when the plantable device is in the closed configuration the substrate is fixed in the inner space. To avoid that the substrate moves within the device upwards when the device is pushed into the soil it is preferred that the transverse opening of the flange is smaller than the largest transverse dimension of the inner space and thus of the preferred substrate. The ribs are suitably provided with means to secure the substrate within the inner space. Preferably these means are protrusions from the ribs which point towards the inner space. A suitable protrusion are pins directed to the inner space.

The area between the neighbouring ribs is preferably open resulting in that the inner space is fluidly connected to the exterior of the device via such openings between the ribs.

The material of the plantable device base is preferably biodegradable. The biodegradable material may when degraded act as additional substrate for the growing plant and roots and/or may have bio-repellent activity. Examples of suitable biodegradable woods are biologically based biodegradable materials such as paper pulp, wood, compressed wood, optionally in combination with a binder. Preferably the biodegradable material is a polymer which can be used in an injection moulding process to prepare the plantable device base. Examples of suitable biodegradable polymers are for example polylactic acid (PLA), polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA), polycaprolactone (PCL), thermoplastic starch (TPS), polybutylene adipate terephthalate (PBAT-) or polybutylene succinate (PBS). Suitable biodegradable polymers are also bio-based. Examples of such polymers are starch, cellulose acetate (CA), PLA or PHA. To such biodegradable materials one or more different bio-repellent additives may be added to enhance their bio-repellent activity and especially to enhance their deterrent activity in the soil against for example gophers and termites and above the soil against for example grazers, rodents and birds.

Suitable biodegradable materials for the plantable device base degrade within 1 to 2 years after planting. The biodegradable material is so chosen that the device can provide for a structural support and protection for the growing plant for a sufficient time. Because of the openings between the ribs sufficient space is available for the roots to grow before the material begins to degrade. This is advantageous because it enables one to use materials which degrade less quickly. The material should suitably also be strong enough to protect the substrate when the plantable device is positioned, for example by pushing, in the soil and strong enough to support and protect the growing plant for a sufficient time. The invention is also directed to a plantable device for planting and growing a plant comprising of a plantable device base according to this invention and a substrate comprising plantable material positioned in the inner space of the plantable device base.

The plantable material as present in the substrate comprises a single seed or multiple seeds and/or micro-propagated plant material , including artificial embryos. The plantable material may also be young plants which have been cultivated in the plantable device before being positioned in a planting pit. Preferably the young plant is present within the first longitudinal part such that the plantable device can be densely stored and transported. The plantable material, i.e. the seed, seeds and/or micro-propagated plant material is suitably those of a woody plant species, like trees, bushes and woody shrubs. The plantable device is suitably used to enable a successful growth of a woody plant species in its final position. Thus the growing plants in the plantable device are not meant to be transplanted.

Suitably the plantable material comprises a seed or seeds, preferably a seed or seeds as part of the substrate. The seed or seeds may be dormant and thus require some sort of external treatment, for example scarification, or trigger, like for example a temperature change, to germinate. The seed is preferably coated with substances controlling germination by for example a change in temperature and/or soil humidity. Coating, including encrusting/pelleting techniques, are further advantageous because the obtained seed-pill can have uniform dimensions regardless of the size and shape of the seeds to be coated. For example small and/or light seeds may be coated resulting in dimensions and weight which allow simpler handling. This makes automatic assembly of the plantable device according to this invention easier because the assembly line does not have to be adapted for differently sized seeds. Coating also provides a method to obtain seed-pills with different colours for different plant species thereby enabling easier identification of the seed-pill. The coating may also comprise pesticides which protects the seeds against fungal and/or animal attacks. Because the coating disguises the odour of the seed animals like insects, rodents and wild boars will be less attracted to the coated seeds. Animals may also be deterred by adding a bio-repellent, for example capsaicin, to the coating. The coatings may also include, suitably slow release, nutrients and additives improving water retention, for example hydrogels. Coatings may also enable seeds becoming inoculated with soil microbes like mycorrhizae. Coatings may also include additives, suitably plant growth regulators, which may promote root growth and/or regulate drought and/or improve the heat tolerance of the germinant. The coating also results in that the seeds show less mutual contamination. The coating of seeds of woody plants is suitably performed using techniques known for coating arable, annual crops.

The presence of more than one seed in the substrate may be advantageous. Using more 2 or more seeds, which may be seeds of different plant species, with respect of coating and/or treatment, may reduce the risk that a plantable device will not generate a germinant. This may be because of adverse growing conditions, such as drought, heat or flooding, or when using seed material with low viability. Such multiple seeds may be present in one coated particle as part of the substrate.

The substrate is suitably a solid body having a shape which allows positioning of the substrate within the inner space of the plantable device base such that part of the second side of the flange and the ribs support the substrate. In this way the substrate is fixed with the plantable device base in its closed configuration and thus cannot move relative to the plantable device base.

The substrate may suitably be peat, in particular black peat, white peat, cocopeat, vermiculite, perlite, a fibrous biomass, such as coconut husk, and/or a biodegradable foam substrate. A suitable example of such a biodegradable foam substrate is described in W02020117062 and comprises a biodegradable polymer and a nucleating agent, wherein the biodegradable polymer is a polyester and/or an aromatic polymer, and wherein the biodegradable foam substrate includes an open cell structure enabling plant growth. A binder may be present in the substrate to hold the compounds together. The binder is preferably a bio-based binder and more preferably a biodegradable bio-based binder. The binder may be a gel forming polymer such as natural gel-forming polymers like for example collagen, gelatine, (modified) starch, alginate and agarose, or bio-adhesives such as chitosan. The substrate may be present in a small pulp pot which is placed in the inner space of the plantable device. The substrate may also be formed within the inner space of the plantable device by placing pellets in said space and have the pellets expand, for example after adding water. Plantable material like seeds can be fixed onto such pellets, for example by an bio-adhesive.

Preferably the substrate comprising the plantable material is a shaped product which can be separately stored, shipped and handled, for example placed in the plantable device base in its open configuration. To further enhance the shape stability of the substrate a biodegradable polymer shell may be added to the exterior of the substrate. The water content of the substrate is suitably below 10 wt% to facilitate phytosanitary storage and/or transport and avoid premature germination in for example storage and/or transportation. The transverse opening of the flange is suitably smaller than the largest transverse dimension of the inner space such that the plantable device is only obtainable by placing the shaped substrate comprising the single seed or multiple seeds in the inner space when the device is in its open configuration. The shaped product suitably has a shape which allows positioning within the inner space of the plantable device base such that part of the second side of the flange and the ribs support the shaped product. The use of a shaped product enables one to have larger openings between the at least three ribs of the second converging part. Because of the shaped product no or almost none of the substrate nor the seeds(s) and micro-propagated plant material incorporated into the substrate, will be lost via these larger openings and/or via the opening of the flange when handling the plantable device. The larger openings between the ribs are advantageous because it enables unrestricted root growth from the substrate into ambient soil.

The shaped product may be sealed through a biodegradable, water soluble film or covered with a top layer of sun light reflecting material, such as perlite. The sun light reflecting material reduces evaporation losses through the substrate.

The use of the substrate enables one to position the plantable material within the plantable device at the optimal vertical position for the plantable material. The depth at which the plantable device is positioned in a planting pit is suitably such that the flange is at about the ground level. This results in that substantially each plantable device and thus each seed may be planted at substantially the same depth. By varying the position of the seed in the substrate it is then further possible to position a seed at its optimal depth for germination while the plantable devices are positioned in a substantial same depth in a planting pit. Such optimal depth per plant type would not be possible when loose seeds would be planted in a typical sowing method in a rural environment.

The substrate may further comprise growth enhancing components, suitably one or more organic and non-organic fertilisers, preferably with slow-released nutrients. Examples of suitable fertilisers are Osmocote® as obtainable from ICL Specialty Fertilizers and Biovin® as obtainable from Plant Health Cure B.V. The substrate may also comprise a biochar and gypsum as pH regulator. Other suitable additives comprise of hydrogel to improve soil water retention, and plant growth regulators (such as rooting hormones to reduce drought stress). The substrate may also include soil microbes or more generally microbe-based plant biotechnology. Microbes such as for example actinomycetes or mycorrhiza, enhance nutrient availability to plants. Microbes are suitably present in combination with substances which promote microbial activity. Other microbes, which inoculate the plantable material, function as endosymbionts, also referred to as endophytes help the germinate and growing plants tolerate abiotic stresses, such as drought and salinity, and decrease biotic stresses by enhancing plant resistance to insects, pathogens and herbivores.

The first longitudinal part or the structural elements of this part may have a shape which functions as a protective shield for the growing plant . Optionally the plantable device may be provided with a hollow shroud which functions as a protective shield for the growing plant. This hollow shroud is kept in position by the structural elements of the first longitudinal part. The shroud protects the micro-propagated plant material or germinating seed and the resulting young plant against abiotic stresses such as desiccating winds and/or high radiation. The shroud further protects the plant against biotic stresses like insects, birds, rodents and grazers. The shroud suitably provides an optimal humidity and radiation to the young plant during daytime to achieve optimal growth.

The hollow shroud may have any suitable cross-sectional design, for example triangular, rectangular, for example square, pentagonal, hexagonal, and octagonal, or oval or circular. Preferably the shape of the shroud is such that it aligns with the first longitudinal part and suitably with the structural elements of the first longitudinal part. Preferably the elongated shroud is tubular having a circular cross-section.

To achieve the above functionalities of the hollow shroud suitably has a length of in the range of 10 to 120 cm. Such a protecting shroud may extend further than the structural elements from the flange. The shroud may suitably extend between 30 and 120 cm from the flange. The allowable length will depend on the degree of anchoring of the plantable device, the environmental conditions and the type of animals one would like to protect the plant against. Preferably no additional supporting poles are used. Preferably the shroud is about the length of the first longitudinal element and is between 20 and 50 cm. The width of the shroud is suitably at most in the range of 2 to 10 cm, preferably in the range of 2 to 7 cm and more preferably in the range of 2 to 5 cm. In case of a tubular hollow shroud the width is the diameter of the hollow shroud.

The walls of the shroud are preferably provided with openings for allowing radiation from the sun to reach the leaves of the plant and to allow branches to grow from the hollow shroud part. Ventilation holes also prevent excessive temperature build up within the shroud, while curbing transpiration losses of the growing plantlet. Additionally, the holes facilitate gas exchange in the process of photosynthesis. Suitably less ventilation holes are envisioned in the lower end of the shroud, while at the top larger or more holes are used, reducing wind susceptibility of the shroud and still providing protection against animal attack.

The shroud may be made of carton, or preferably bio-degradable sheet material, translucent or perforated such to support and protect early tree establishment, while enabling splitting open along perforated or along other deliberately created weakened sections, when tree expansion would exert sufficient pressure. Alternatively or in combination the walls of the shroud may be made of a translucent or mesh material allowing radiation from the sun to reach the leaves of the plant. Suitably the translucent material allows photosynthetic active radiation to pass and reach the plant and filters infrared radiation out, thus to prevent excessive temperature build up within the shroud. Suitably the walls of the hollow shroud are made of a bio-degradable material.

Because the shroud and the plantable device base are separate parts it is possible to use a different material for the shroud compared to the material used for the plantable device base. This is advantageous when the shroud is required to degrade in a shorter time than the plantable device base. Preferably the walls comprise of a material which ensures that the shroud can function as a protective shield for the plants for up to 1 year and even up to 2 years. The biodegradable material may be those as described for the plantable device base above. Other and more preferred biodegradable materials are pulp, such as paper pulp, coated and non-coated carton.

The walls of the hollow shroud preferably comprise weak spots, like for example vertical incision or hinges. Such weak spots are intended to break open to give way to the growing plant. The hollow shroud may be comprised of two or more, for example two, three or four, optionally interconnected parts or segments which can break open.

The hollow shroud preferably comprises of one or more slow-release bio-repellent additives, including fragrances to protect the growing plants against biotic stresses for example caused by insects and grazers. The slow release bio-repellent additives may be added to the material of the walls of the hollow shroud prior to their manufacture. For example by adding the bio-repellent additives when polymerising the biodegradable polymer of which the walls are comprised of. The bio-repellent additives may also be present in a container or as a coating, for example a gel coating, on the walls of the hollow shroud.

Suitably the hollow shroud comprises material which at a first temperature absorbs water from the air and at a second temperature releases water to the interior of the hollow shroud and wherein the first temperature is lower than the second temperature. In this way water can be collected in for example the night and released to the growing plant during daytime. When the seed has not yet germinated this water may also be the external factor to initiate seed germination. Any excess water released to the hollow shroud and which flows to the plug which is not used by the growing plant may be stored in the hydrogel as may be present in the plug and/or flow to the surrounding soil. The material which absorbs water from the air may have an ultra-hydrophobic surface and/or a nano-textured surface, comparable to the surface of a leave of the lotus flower. Other materials for the shroud which absorb water are meshed textiles.

In order to enhance the temperature effects as described above it is preferred that the hollow shroud comprises walls having an exterior surface and an interior surface facing the interior of the hollow shroud and wherein the exterior surface is more light reflecting than the interior surface.

The plantable device suitably is provided with a shield. Suitably this shield extends in a transverse direction. The shield covers a part of the surface of the soil surrounding a positioned plantable device. In this way the shield not only avoids weeds to grow in the vicinity of the growing plant but also avoids water as present in the soil below the shield to evaporate. Preferably the shield is also a rain water collector. In use the shield may also be used to capture any water as rain and direct the water to the plantable material. Preferably such an shield is present at the flange and extends in all transverse directions from this flange, for example like a disc. More preferably the shield can adopt a compacted configuration and an expanded configuration. In the compacted configuration the shield may be positioned towards the first longitudinal element or the hollow shroud. In an extended configuration the shield suitably rests on the surface of the soil into which the plantable device is positioned, wherein the converging part is substantially below this surface and the first longitudinal part or the shroud is substantially above this surface. The shield can be rearranged from a compacted to an extended configuration in many ways, such as folding or by rotating stacked fan parts. The shield may be a sheet as folded as an origami umbrella starting from a rectangular sheet. In the middle there will be an opening for connection to the plantable device base.

The shield may be slidably connected to the plantable device such that when moved in the direction towards the plug like end it expands similar to an unfolding umbrella. This results in that when the plantable device is positioned in a planting pit the shield may unfold when it is moved towards to the positioned plug like end. Such a shield which can adopt a compacted configuration and an expanded configuration is preferably connected to the plantable device base at the first side of the flange or to the first longitudinal part.

Shields which do not necessarily expand from a compacted configuration to an expanded configuration may also be used in combination with the plantable device. Such shields may for example be positioned at a planting pit before positioning the converging part of the plantable device in the planting pit. The shield is then preferably provided with an opening for the plantable device. The opening is preferably smaller than the flange such that the shield is securely fixed by the flange when the plantable device is positioned in the planting pit. The opening should be large enough to receive the plug like end of the plantable device. The opening is preferably such that the ribs partly rupture the edges of the opening resulting in that the shield cannot freely rotate when the plantable device is positioned in the planting pit. Alternatively the shield does not have an opening. In use such a shield is punctured by the plantable device when positioning the converging part of the plantable device in the planting pit.

The distance of the outer edge of the shield and connection between shield and the plantable device base is suitably in the range of 5 to 50 cm and preferably in the range of 15 to 30 cm. The shape of the shield may be circular or may have any other shape like for example a hexagonal shape.

The shield may also function as a means to collect rain water. To enable a flow of water as collected on the shield it is preferred that in the shield is slightly tilted towards the hollow shroud part, for example having a frusto-conical shape. Suitably openings are provided in the plantable device base for water collected by the shield to enter the interior of the plantable device base.

The shield is preferably biodegradable. Examples of biodegradable materials for the shield are pulp, a bio-polymer, suitably shaped to a shield by thermoforming or a composite of plant fibres held together with a bio-binder. The shield may suitably comprise a herbicide additive or additives to reduce weed growth. A bio-repellent additive may be added to the material to enhance the bio-repellent activity of the shield. In use the second converging part will be positioned in the soil and the first longitudinal part will extend above the soil surface. Preferably the elongated plantable device is placed vertically into the soil.

The plantable device according to this invention may be made as a light weight product having a uniform shape and dimensions. This enables automatic planting. The plantable device is thus preferably positioned in a planting pit in an automated manner, for example using an apparatus according to WO2020/227783. More preferably the invention is also directed to a process for planting plantable material in an area of land by performing the following steps,

(a) providing an inventory of numerous plantable devices according to this invention having a substrate comprising a single seed or multiple seeds and/or micro-propagated plant material or having a substrate supporting a young plant, and

(b) preparing a planting pit in a soil surface,

(c) selecting a plantable device from the inventory and positioning the converging part of the plantable device in the planting pit, wherein the first longitudinal part extends upwardly and above the soil surface and wherein at positioning a downwardly pushing force is exerted to a surface of the flange at its first side, wherein steps (b) and (c) are repeated at different locations in the area of land for all or part of the remaining inventory of plantable devices.

The inventory may comprise plantable devices comprising different plantable material, i.e. different plant species and/or different substrates as present in the plug. This allows one to plant different species in one process which is beneficial for the biodiversity and/or use different substrates for the same plant depending on the soil conditions. The plantable devices having different plantable material may be held in separate cartridges as part of the inventory. The inventory is preferably comprised of adjoining rows of interconnected plantable devices. More preferably two or more adjoining rows of interconnected plantable devices are vertically stacked with two or more adjoining rows of plantable devices. The inventory is preferably a moveable inventory which may be a vehicle and preferably a vehicle for unmanned usage as is described in more detail in earlier filed PCT application having application number PCT/EP2021/071418. The vehicle preferably performs the entire process. It may be envisaged that step (b) is performed using a different means as the means for performing steps (a) and (c). For example one means, e.g. a vehicle, can perform step (b) and after preparing the planting pit this vehicle places a shield around the planting pit and/or sprays a herbicide and/or sprays a sealant around the planting pit. Another vehicle can subsequently place the plantable device in the prepared planting pit. Preferably steps (a)-(c) are performed by the same means, e.g. vehicle.

The invention is also directed to an unmanned vehicle comprising an inventory of numerous plantable devices according to this invention having a substrate comprising a single seed or multiple seeds and/or micro-propagated plant material or having a substrate supporting a young plant.

The planting process may be performed manually and is preferably performed in an automatic fashion wherein pre-programmed planting positions for the one or more different plant species and/or one or more different substrates are set and wherein a moveable inventory of the numerous plantable devices moves from one programmed planting position to another programmed planting position for performing steps (b) and (c). In such a process use may be made of a digitized planting map, for the one or more different plant species are set. By making use of for example GPS tracking and the digitized planting map the moveable inventory can move from one programmed planting position to another programmed planting position to plant the specific plantable devices.

The process may also be performed partly manually. For example in situations wherein the moveable inventory, e.g. the vehicle, cannot position the plantable device because of for example challenging conditions like steep slopes manual instructions may be used instead of following the automatic instructions.

Preferably the planting process is performed by a group of more than one of moveable inventories and wherein the unfavourable planting conditions and/or the unfavourable terrain conditions as measured by one moveable inventory is used as input for a reprogrammer to optimise the pre-programmed planting positions and/or the routing from one pre-programmed planting position to a next pre-programmed planting position for the group of moveable inventories.

The one or more moveable inventories may position numerous plantable devices, wherein at least a part of the numerous plantable devices comprise a different plant species than another part of the numerous plantable devices. Suitably the plantable devices are planted according to a pre-programmed position for the different plant species.

In step (a) an inventory of plantable devices is provided. Such an inventory may consist of plantable devices comprising plantable material of one species or where different plantable devices comprise plantable material of different plant species. The plantable devices may even comprise the plantable material for the same plant species while the composition of the substrate is different. This may be applied when the soil conditions, like the acidity of the soil, vary in the area of land. The plantable device may be any plantable device and preferably the plantable device according to this invention. The inventory of plantable devices may be a cartridge holding more than one plantable devices. The design and shape of the plantable devices having plantable material of different plant species does not necessarily be the same. When these designs are different it is preferred that the plantable devices for one species is stored in a holder or cartridge which is different from the holder or cartridge of a plantable devices of a different species. Other identification of which plantable material is comprised in a specific plantable device may be by for example bar code.

In step (b) the planting pit is prepared for positioning the plantable device. The planting pit may be prepared by soil preparation involving both subsoiling and surface weeding. Preferably the planting pit is prepared such that substantially no soil is removed from the planting pit and wherein the integrity of the surroundings of the planting pit are maintained to avoid soil erosion. This results in that soil can fill the openings between the ribs when positioning the plantable device and contact the substrate. In this way air gaps, which are detrimental for growing roots, can be avoided. Further a good anchorage can be achieved of the plantable device in the subsoiled soil in the planting pit. Examples of such methods are soil tillage practices, including rotavating and harrowing. An suitable light or minimal invasive subsoiling technique is by using a single blade auger, optionally provided with a weeding disc. Minimal soil displacement by the single blade auger is advantageous because soil remains in the planting pit, while potentially present hardpans are broken to facilitate tree rooting and rain water infiltration and subsurface soil moisture retention. Further the substrate of plantable device will contact the soil more intimately and no further after pressing is found to be needed. A further advantage is that this technique requires less energy than other techniques and thus reduces electric battery consumption or fuel consumption.

In step (c) the optional shield is placed separately or in combination with the plantable device. Instead or in combination of a shield it may be advantageous to seal the surroundings of the planting pit. For example a frusto-conical shaped surroundings may be made wherein the surface of the soil is covered by a sealant. The sealant will avoid weeds to grow in that area , while reducing evaporation losses as well, and allow rain water to flow downwards towards the centrally positioned plantable device.

In step (c) the plantable device is selected from the inventory. This may be by selecting a row of interconnected plantable devices from an inventory comprising multiple rows of interconnected plantable devices. Next a plantable device is disconnected from the selected row of interconnected plantable devices and positioned in the planting pit by means of a vertical downward force. When the plantable device is positioned in the soil the plantable material in the plug will start to germinate, after being triggered by a sufficient amount of humidity and/or a change in temperature. Seed material may also be scarified prior to installation within the plug to break dormancy.

The invention will be illustrated by making use of the following non-limiting Figures 1- 30.

Figure 1 shows a plantable device base (1) according to this invention. A flange (2), a first longitudinal part (3a) at a first side of the flange (2) and a second converging part (3b) extending from the second side of the flange (2) is shown. The converging part (3b) runs from the flange (2) to a plug like end (4). The converging part (3b) has six ribs (5) extending from the second side of the flange (2) and converging to the plug like end (4). The ribs have an edge at their exterior side to enhance positioning of the plantable device in the soil. The flange (2), ribs (5) and plug like end (4) define an inner space (6) for a substrate. The flange (2) has an hexagonal outer side (7) and an ellipsoidal shaped opening (8). The plantable device base (1) is made up by two identical parts (9) which are shown in Figures 2 and 3. The two parts (9) are connected by two releasable connections (2a), (2b) at the flange (2) and by a releasable connection (4a) at the plug like end (4).

Figure 2 shows an exterior view the plantable device base halve (9) of Figure 1 having three ribs (5). The hexagonal outer side (7) of the flange (2) is provided with releasable male (10) and female (11) connectors enabling connection between multiple plantable devices. One of the ribs (5) is provided with barbs (12).

Figure 3 shows an interior view of the plantable device base halve (9) of Figure 2. Releasable male (13) and female (14) connectors are shown to connect the two halves of the flange (2) at connections (2a)(2b) shown in Figure 1. Further a releasable male (15) and female (16) connectors are shown to connect the two halves of the plug like end (4) at connection (4a). The first longitudinal part (3a) is formed by three spikes (17) which are interconnected at their upper end by beam (18). The spikes (17) are provided with pointed end (19). The spikes (17) converge towards the flange (2). At this lower part the spikes have an inner surface (20). The flange (2) has a certain thickness defining at opening (8) an inner surface (21) which is flush with the inner surface (20) of spikes (17) thereby avoiding tree girdling by the flange (2).

Figure 4 shows a substrate (22) having a sleeve (23) for a seed (24). Figure 5 is a cross sectional view of substrate (22) of Figure 4.

Figure 6 shows a plantable device (25) which combines plantable device base (1) of

Figure 1 and the substrate (22) of Figures 4 and 5. Figure 7 shows a plantable device half (9) of Figures 2 and 3 wherein the transverse opening (8) of the flange(2) is smaller than the largest transverse dimension of the inner space (6) creating a surface (26) on flange (2). This surface (26) keeps the substrate (22) when placed in the inner space (6).

Figures 8 and 9 shows a plantable device base (1) wherein more beams (18, 18a) are present between the spikes (17) such to decrease the openings between the sikes (17) and avoid that grazer can reach the growing plant. Further beams (18, 18a) provide a reinforcement of the structural elements of the first longitudinal part (3a) enabling to use less material. The beams (18a) between spikes from one plantable device half (9) to the other are made of two parts as shown enabling that the two halves can part when the plant grows.

Figure 10 shows a plantable device (25) of Figure 6 combined with a shroud (26) partly positioned around the first longitudinal part (3a). The shroud (25) is a helical sheet extending to a distance above the upper end of the plantable device base (1) of device (25). Also a shield (27) is present at the flange (2). The flange sits above the shield (27) thereby fixing it between the flange (2) and the soil surface onto which the centre of the shield (27) screen rests. The shield (27) has a slightly upright radially outer part (28). This outer part (28) functions to capture rain water and direct it to openings (29) in the plantable device which allow water to enter the substrate via the opening (8) of the flange (2).

Figure 11 shows a plantable device (25) as in Figure 10 except that the shroud (30) is used. This shroud is a tubular sheet also extending a distance above the upper end of the plantable device (25) as indicated by distance (A).

Figure 12 shows a plantable device (25) of Figure 6 as positioned in a planting pit (31). Figure 13 is as Figure 12 expect in that a shroud (32) having openings (33) is placed around the first longitudinal part (3a). The spikes (17) are slightly tilted outwards. When the shroud (32) is placed the spikes (17) are somewhat compressed, for example manually, allowing the shroud to be placed. By releasing the spikes (17) the spikes (17) return to their original shape and connect with the internal wall of shroud (32). By an outwardly directed force the spikes fix the shroud. The shroud (32) has a hexagonal cross-sectional shape such as the flange (2). The hexagonal shape provides folding lines (34) along which the shroud may be folded to a flat, compressed configuration and unfolded to the shroud as shown in Figure 13. This is advantageous because this reduces the necessary storage volume for the shrouds. Further the folding lines (34) may be provided with perforations such that the growing plant can break out more easily by rupture of the shroud along these lines (34).

Figure 14 is as Figure 12 except in that a shield (27) is present. Figure 15 is as Figure 14 except that a shroud (32) is present as in Figure 13.

Figure 16-18 show different shapes for an opening (35) in the shield (27) for passage of the second converging part (3b). For example when positioning the plantable device (25) it may be advantageous to first position the shield (27) at the planting pit (31) and subsequently position the plantable device (25). The openings in Figures 16 and 18 do not require a specific orientation of the plantable device (25) while the opening of Figure 17 would require a certain orientation such that the six ribs (5) align with the 6 indentations as shown. The multi indented opening (35) of Figure 16 is further advantageous because it allows the plantable device halves to part from each other. In Figure 19 a shield (27) made of a rigid material is shown having an opening as in Figure 17. The shield (27) is provided with reinforcing structural rims (36) to reinforce the shield (27).

Figure 20 shows the plantable device half (9) indicating a plane AA' in the transverse plane of the flange (2). In Figure 21 this plane AA' is seen from above for a plantable device (25) in which a stem (37) is shown. The stem is growing radially outward as indicated by arrows (38). Opening (8) has an ellipsoidal shape. Because of this shape the distance between the two connection points (2a, 2b), along a first axis is greater than the largest distance between the two parts of the flange along a second axis which runs perpendicular with respect of the first axis. The largest distance between the two parts of the flange in Figure 21 is about the diameter of the growing stem (37). When this stem grows further radially outward it can be imagined that the flange parts will be pressed away from each other in the direction of the second axis resulting in that the releasable connection (13,14) opens as shown in Figure 22. Eventually the parts (9) will be further pushed from each other as shown in Figure 23. The halves (9) may remain connected at the plug like end (4) for a more prolonged time. Roots (38) are shown to grow outwardly from substrate (22).

Figure 24 shows how a plantable device (25) may be held by a mechanical grab arm (39). Because the lower end (17a) of the spikes (17) indent towards the centre space is available for the arms (38) to hold the plantable device (25) and also press it into a planting pit because of the upper surface of flange (2) on which the arms (39) rest. Lower end of spikes is indented, also enabling mechanical handling.

Figure 25 shows the plantable device (25) with an anchor (40). Anchor (40) may be added when additional anchorage is required, for example when planting in shallow water where tidal waves occur, like in mangroves. In this way a standardised plantable device base (1) may be used for very different soil conditions. The anchor (40) is preferably comprised of two parts (41) which can be connected by male and female connectors (42) as shown in Figures 26 and 27. Preferably the anchor is connected to the plug like end (4) by connecting the parts (41).

Figure 28 shows two plantable devices (25) connected by the releasable male (10) and female (11) connectors at the hexagonal outer side (7) of the flange (2). This allows to connect a row of plantable devices without having to use separate trays and the like.

Figure 29 shows the connected two plantable devices of Figure 28 wherein the plug like end (3b) of a third plantable device is positioned with the open ended first elongate element (3a) of one of the other plantable devices (25). In this way two rows of plantable devices may be stacked on top of each other.

Figure 30 shows how compact two adjoining rows (43) of interconnected plantable devices (25) as shown in Figure 28 may be placed next to each other to form an inventory (44). This is a direct result of the hexagonal outer side (7) of the flange (2). Figures 28-30 illustrate that the plantable devices (25) may be compactly stored which is advantageous when planting is performed in an automated fashion by a moveable inventory as described above.

Claims

1. Plantable device for planting and growing a plant comprising of a substrate comprising a single seed or multiple seeds and/or micro-propagated plant material, and a plantable device base comprising a flange, a first longitudinal part at a first side of the flange and a second converging part extending from the second side of the flange and towards a plug like end, wherein the converging part is comprised of at least three ribs extending from the second side of the flange and converging to the plug like end thereby defining an inner space in which the substrate comprising a single seed or multiple seeds and/or micropropagated plant material is present, and wherein the flange is comprised of two or more parts which are releasably connected to each other.

2. The plantable device according to claim 1, wherein the device base can adopt an open configuration when the flange parts are not connected and a closed configuration when the flange parts are connected.

3. The plantable device according to any one of claims 1-2, wherein the substrate comprising a single seed or multiple seeds and/or micro-propagated plant material is a shaped product which can be separately stored, shipped and handled.

4. The plantable device according to claim 3, wherein the transverse opening of the flange is smaller than the largest transverse dimension of the inner space such that the plantable device is only obtainable by placing the substrate comprising the single seed or multiple seeds in the inner space when the device is in its open configuration.

5. Plantable device according to claim 4, wherein the shaped product has a shape which allows positioning within the inner space of the plantable device base such that part of the second side of the flange and the ribs support the shaped product.

6. Plantable device according to any one of claims 1-5, wherein the substrate comprises peat, black peat, white peat, cocopeat, coconut husk, vermiculite, perlite and/or a biodegradable foam.

7. Plantable device according to any one of claims 1-6, wherein the first longitudinal part is comprised of structural elements extending from and connected to a part of the flange.

8. Plantable device according to claim 7, wherein the structural elements allows to place a shroud around the first longitudinal part.

9. Plantable device according to claim 8„ wherein the structural elements of the first longitudinal part of the plantable device base are spikes which are provided with connection means to connect to the shroud and wherein the connection means are spikes which slightly tilt outwards from the longitudinal axis and/or one or more spikes provided with a click-finger which click finger may interact with an opening in the shroud.

10. Plantable device according to any one of claims 7-9, wherein a structural element extending from one part of the flange is not connected to a structural element extending from another part of the flange or wherein a structural element extending from one part of the flange is releasably connected to a structural element extending from another part of the flange.

11. Plantable device according to any one of claims 1-10, wherein the flange has a certain thickness and an opening defining an inner surface at the opening of the flange and wherein part of the first structural element has an inner surface which is flush with the inner surface of the flange.

12. Plantable device according to any one of claims 1-11, wherein the flange of the plantable device base is comprised of two parts which are releasably connected to each other at two connection points and wherein the transverse distance along a first axis between the two connection points is greater than the largest transverse distance between the two parts of the flange along a second axis which runs perpendicular with respect of the first axis such that in use a radially growing stem of a plant growing from the seed or seeds pushes the two parts of the flange apart. Plantable device according to any one of claims 1-12, wherein the flange of the plantable device base is comprised of two parts which are releasably connected to each other and wherein from each flange part ribs extend to a common half end and wherein the resulting two half ends are releasably connected to form the second converging part and wherein the inner space is fluidly connected to the exterior of the plantable device base via openings between the ribs. Plantable device according to claim 13, wherein from each flange part three ribs extend to a common half end. Plantable device base according to any one of claims 1-14, wherein the ribs are provided with barbs. Plantable device according to any one of claims 1-15, wherein the plantable device base is comprised of injected moulded parts and wherein each injected moulded part comprises of the part of the flange and part of the first longitudinal part and part of the second converging part and wherein the injected moulded parts are made of a biodegradable and preferably biobased polymer. Plantable device according to any one of claims 1-16, wherein the seed or multiple seeds and/or micro-propagated plant material is of a woody plant species. Plantable device according to any one of clams 16-17, wherein the injected moulded parts comprises one or more different bio-repellent additives. Plantable device according to any one of claims 1-18, wherein the flange has a an outer shape comprising of two opposite sides and wherein at the opposite sides a releasable male and/or female connectors are present such to allow multiple plantable device according to this claim to interconnect in a row of plantable devices.

20. Plantable device according to claim 19, wherein the outer shape of the flange is a hexagonal shape and wherein at the opposite sides releasable male and female connectors are present.

21. A process for planting plantable material in an area of land by performing the following steps,

(a) providing an inventory of numerous plantable devices according to any one of claims 1-20 having a substrate comprising a single seed or multiple seeds and/or micro-propagated plant material or having a substrate supporting a young plant, and

(b) preparing a planting pit in a soil surface,

22. A process according to claim 21, wherein at positioning a reaction force on the substrate results which will try to push the substrate upwards in the downwards moving planting device and wherein the substrate is kept within the inner space because of a smaller opening in the flange which does not allow the substrate to pass.

23. A process according to any one of claims 21-22, wherein in step (b) the planting pit is prepared such that substantially no soil is removed from the planting pit and wherein the integrity of the surroundings of the planting pit are maintained such that no after pressing of the soil is required and performed at the planting pit after the plantable device is positioned.

24. Process according to any one of claims 21-23, wherein a shield is positioned at the planting pit and subsequently the plantable device is positioned and wherein the shield covers a part of the surface of the soil surrounding the positioned plantable device. Process according to claim 24, wherein the shield has an opening which is smaller than the flange such that the shield is securely fixed by the flange when the plantable device is positioned in the planting pit. Process according to any one of claims 24-25, wherein the distance of the outer edge of the shield and connection between shield and the plantable device base is in the range of 5 to 50 cm. Process according to any one of claims 24-26, wherein the shield is made of pulp. Process according to any one of claims 24-27, wherein the shield comprises one or more herbicide additives to reduce weed growth and/or one or more bio-repellent additives to enhance the bio-repellent activity of the shield. Process according to any one of claims 21-28, wherein after the plantable device is positioned a hollow shroud is provided to the first longitudinal part, which hollow shroud protects a growing plant growing from the seed or seeds and/or micropropagated plant material from abiotic and/or biotic stresses. Process according to claim 29, wherein the hollow shroud comprises material which at a first temperature absorbs water from the air and at a second temperature releases water to the interior of the hollow shroud and wherein the first temperature is lower than the second temperature. Process according to any one of claims 21-30, wherein steps (a)-(c) are performed manually. Process according to any one of claims 21-30, as performed in an automatic fashion wherein pre-programmed planting positions for one or more different plant species and/or one or more different substrates are set and wherein a moveable inventory of the numerous plantable devices moves from one programmed planting position to another programmed planting position for performing steps (b) and (c). 33. An unmanned vehicle comprising an inventory of numerous plantable devices according to any one of claims 1-20 having a substrate comprising a single seed or multiple seeds and/or micro-propagated plant material or having a substrate supporting a young plant. 34. Use of the plantable device according to any one of claims 1-20, to enable a successful growth of a woody plant species in its final position meaning that the growing woody plant species is not meant to be transplanted.