Systemic plant interface

Claim 3

The apparatus of claim 1 which also includes means for providing a nutrient solution to the lumens, and wherein the means for providing a nutrient solution to the lumens includes means for maintaining the nutrient solution under sterile conditions.

Claim 4

A growth apparatus for providing nutrient solution to the natural xylem tissue of a living shoot, comprising an artificial surface including lumens having a size of up to about 120 microns, the artificial surface being capable of transferring the nutrient solution only through the lumens to the natural xylem tissue; and capillary transport means in contact with the perforate surface adapted to cause the transfer of nutrient solution to the artificial surface while serving as a barrier to the transport of pathogens to the natural xylem tissue with the nutrient solution.

Claim 5

A growth apparatus for providing nutrient solution to the natural xylem tissue of a living shoot, comprising an artificial surface including lumens having a size of up to about 120 microns, the artificial surface being capable of transferring the nutrient solution only through the lumens to the natural xylem tissue; and capillary transport means in contact with the perforate surface adapted to cause the transfer of nutrient solution to the artificial surface while serving as a barrier to the transport of pathogens to the natural xylem tissue with the nutrient solution.

Claim 6

The growth apparatus of claim 3 wherein the capillary transport means comprises at least one hollow fiber which transports nutrient solution through a lumen from a reservoir to the perforate surface, the fiber having a wall porosity of from about 0.01 to about 0.45 microns.

Claim 7

The growth apparatus of claim 4 wherein the artificial surface is disposed within a cavity which is adapted to be maintained in a sterile condition during plant growth.

Claim 8

A growth apparatus for a vascular plant having xylem tissue, comprising: a body portion supporting an artificial xylem surface characterized by having a plurality of lumens having a diameter of up to about 120 microns adapted to transfer liquid only through the lumens to the natural xylem tissue of the vascular plant; capillary transport means being supported in the container such that a first end of the capillary transport means extends into a chamber adapted to contain a nutrient medium and a second end is disposed in fluid communication with the artificial xylem surface; and a top cover attached to and sealed against the body portion and adapted to form a sterile cavity over the artificial xylem surface.

Claim 9

A growth apparatus for a vascular plant having xylem tissue, comprising: a body portion supporting an artificial xylem surface characterized by having a plurality of lumens having a diameter of up to about 120 microns adapted to transfer liquid only through the lumens to the natural xylem tissue of the vascular plant; capillary transport means being supported in the container such that a first end of the capillary transport means extends into a chamber adapted to contain a nutrient medium and a second end is disposed in fluid communication with the artificial xylem surface; and a top cover attached to and sealed against the body portion and adapted to form a sterile cavity over the artificial xylem surface.