Device and method for pollen collection

A pollen collection device for collecting pollen from crop plants grown in rows, the device comprising:

• a housing assembly configured to be mounted on a base for being transported through a row of crop plants, the housing assembly including at least one duct defining a pathway for receiving at least a portion of the plants into the at least one duct and directing the at least a portion of the plants through the at least one duct as the housing assembly is transported through the row of crop plants;
• an agitation assembly attached to the housing assembly and positioned generally below the at least one duct, the agitation assembly configured to agitate the plants received into the at least one duct as the housing assembly is transported through the row of crop plants to displace pollen from the plants;
• and
• a pollen collection assembly attached to the housing assembly at an outlet of the at least one duct for collecting the pollen displaced from the plants as the housing assembly is transported through the row of crop plants, wherein the pollen collection assembly includes:
• a diverter coupled to the pollen collection assembly for diverting the pollen displaced from the plants, the diverter including a housing and an insert received in the housing, and wherein the insert includes a helical vane;
• a receiver coupled to the diverter for receiving the diverted pollen, wherein the insert is selectively positionable within the housing to adjust a distance between the helical vane and the receiver;
• and
• an air handler configured to produce an airstream flowing through the diverter to the receiver for carrying the displaced pollen to the receiver, wherein the helical vane of the diverter is configured to impart rotation to the airstream to direct the pollen in the airstream radially outward within the diverter.