Method for sorting resistant seed from a mixture with susceptible seed
AssigneePioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc.
InventorsJAMES L. HUNTER, GREGORY KIM MANGOLD
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Abstract
The invention generally relates to a novel method of sorting seed by providing a first seed population with a fluorescent indicator and a second seed population visually identical to the first seed population under standard operating conditions. The seed populations are combined to provide a combined seed population. A lamp having an output corresponding to the activation wavelength of the fluorescent indicator and a color sorting system are paired to count or separate the seed populations, as desired.
Claims38
A method of sorting seed comprising the steps of:
- providing a first group of seeds having a first seed application comprising an additive;
- providing a second group of seeds having a second seed application;
- providing a combination seed group consisting of the first and second groups of seeds;
- passing part of the combination seed group through a process to create or recognize distinctiveness between the first and second groups based on the additive;
- and
- sorting one of the first or second groups from the combination seed group based on acquired distinctiveness based on the additive.
A method of determining viability of mixed seed comprising the steps of:
- providing a first seed group;
- providing a second seed group;
- applying a fluorescent dye to the first seed group;
- combining the first and second seed groups to create a combination seed group;
- sampling the combination seed group;
- passing the combination sample past a lamp having a wavelength corresponding to the activation wavelength of the fluorescent dye to create fluorescing and non-fluorescing seeds;
- optically recognizing the fluorescing seeds as corresponding to the first group and the non-fluorescing seeds as corresponding to the second group;
- separating the first from the second group;
- and
- separately determining the viability of the first and second seed groups.
A method of sorting seeds comprising the steps of:
- providing a first seed group having a preferred genetic characteristic;
- providing a second seed group lacking the preferred genetic characteristic;
- marking one of the first or second seed groups with an additive having an activatable color characteristic;
- combining the first and second groups of seeds to create a combined seed group;
- sampling the combined seed group;
- activating the additive in the marked seed group within the combined seed group sample;
- and
- segregating the seeds of the first group from the seeds of the second group in the sample by optical recognition of the activated color characteristic;
- wherein the first and second seed groups are visually indistinct.
A method of sorting seed comprising the steps of:
- providing a first group of seeds having a first seed treatment comprising an additive;
- providing a second group of seeds having a second seed treatment, the second group being visually indistinct from the first group;
- combining the first and second groups of seeds to create a combination seed group;
- and
- sorting the first group from the combination seed group based on an optical characteristic created by the additive.
A seed population comprising:
- a first seed group having an additive having an activatable color;
- a second seed group;
- wherein the first and second groups are visually indistinct.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.