Self contained fully automated robotic crop production facility

An automated system for providing a continuous yield of fresh seedlings, the system comprising:

• (a) a housing including a three dimensional seeding and germination zone and a three dimensional zone for holding automatic seeding and seedlings transferring equipment;
• (b) at least one seeding shelf in said three dimensional seeding and germination zone, said seeding shelf including a two dimensional array of seeding locations, each of said locations being for accepting a seed and for supporting development of a seedling;
• and
• (c) a seeding and seedlings transferring robotic device being at said three dimensional zone for holding automatic seeding and seedlings transferring equipment, said robotic device including at least one robotic arm for seeding seeds being stored in a seed reservoir in said seeding locations and for transferring germinated seedlings therefrom.

An automated system for providing a continuous yield of mature plants, the system comprising:

• (a) a housing including a three dimensional planting and growth zone and a three dimensional zone for holding automatic seedling planting and plant harvesting equipment;
• (b) at least one planting shelf in said three dimensional planting and growth zone, said at least one planting shelf including a two dimensional array of planting locations, each of said locations being for accepting a seedling and for supporting development of the mature plant;
• and
• (c) a seedling planting and plant harvesting robotic device being at said three dimensional zone for holding automatic seedling planting and plant harvesting equipment, said robotic device including at least one robotic arm for planting seedlings in said planting locations and for harvesting mature plants grown in said planting locations.

A system for continuous culture of an aquatic plant, the system comprising:

• (a) a housing including a three dimensional aquaculture zone and a three dimensional zone for aquaculture maintenance equipment;
• (b) at least one aquaculture shelf in said three dimensional aquaculture zone;
• and
• (c) an aquaculture robotic device being at said three dimensional zone for aquaculture maintenance equipment.

A system for reducing a concentration of a heavy metal ion in a water supply, the system comprising:

• (a) a housing including a three dimensional aquaculture zone and a three dimensional zone for aquaculture maintenance equipment;
• (b) at least one aquaculture shelf in said three dimensional aquaculture zone;
• and
• (c) an aquaculture robotic device being at said three dimensional zone for aquaculture maintenance equipment;
• wherein an aquatic plant grown in said at least one aquaculture shelf is capable of effecting bioremediation of the heavy metal ion in the water supply.

A system for providing a continuous supply of a biomass of an aquatic plant, the system comprising:

• (a) a housing including a three dimensional aquaculture zone and a three dimensional zone for aquaculture maintenance equipment;
• (b) at least one aquaculture shelf in said three dimensional aquaculture zone;
• and
• (c) an aquaculture robotic device being at said three dimensional zone for aquaculture maintenance equipment.

A device for nurturing seeds as they develop into seedlings, and for facilitating transfer of said seedlings, the device comprising:

• (a) a float being formed with a plurality of seed accepting cavities organized in pairs, each of said pairs having a first member and a second member;
• (b) said cavities, each being open to an upper surface of said float and being in fluid communication with a bottom surface of said float, such that when said float floats over a water surface and said cavities receive seeds, said each of said seeds is moistened;
• and
• (c) a cover with a plurality of holes corresponding to at least a portion of said cavities, whereas when said seeds develop roots, translational motion of said cover transfers each rooted seed from said first member of said pair of cavities to said second member of said pair of cavities.

A system for recycling and oxygenating irrigation water, the system comprising:

• (a) at least one first cultivation shelf designed and constructed to contain at least a portion of the irrigation water and including a regulatory element;
• (b) said regulatory element designed and constructed to allow a part of said at least a portion of the irrigation water to flow downwards out of said first cultivation shelf into a mechanism for mixing;
• (c) said mechanism for mixing being in fluid communication with said first cultivation shelf and a second cultivation shelf, and being designed and constructed to receive said part of said at least a portion of the irrigation water with air to produce aereated water and to transfer said aereated water to a said second cultivation shelf;
• and
• (d) said second cultivation shelf situated below said first cultivation shelf, said second shelf designed and constructed to contain at least a portion of the irrigation water.