# US 2013/0160168 A1 · Method for seed devitalization

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- Number: US 2013/0160168 A1
- Document ID: US20130160168A1
- Status: Published application
- Kind: A1
- Application number: 13/771,879
- Filed: 2013-02-20
- Published: 2013-06-20
- Earliest claimed: 2008-08-11
- Assignees: Dow AgroSciences LLC
- Inventors: Barry W. Schafer; Rod A. Herman
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20130160168A1

## CPC

- A01H 3/00: Processes for modifying phenotypes {, e.g. symbiosis with bacteria} (A01H4/00 takes precedence)
- A01H: NEW PLANTS OR {NON-TRANSGENIC} PROCESSES FOR OBTAINING THEM; PLANT REPRODUCTION BY TISSUE CULTURE TECHNIQUES

## Abstract

The invention provides a method for devitalizing plant seed, the method comprising the steps of hydrating a viable whole plant seed and freezing the hydrated whole plant seed. The invention further provides a collection of devitalized whole plant seed wherein the integrity of genomic DNA and protein within the devitalized plant seed is preserved.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A method for devitalizing plant seed, the method comprising the steps of:
a) hydrating a viable whole plant seed; and,
b) freezing the hydrated whole plant seed.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of freeze drying the frozen whole plant seed.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein the viable whole plant seed is hydrated by contacting the seed with an aqueous solution.

### Claim 4 (depends on 3)

The method of claim 3, wherein the aqueous solution is deionized water.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein the hydrated whole plant seed is frozen by contacting the seed with a liquid cryogen.

### Claim 6 (depends on 2)

The method of claim 2, wherein the frozen whole plant seed is freeze dried by lyophilization.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein the integrity of genomic DNA and protein within the devitalized plant seed is preserved.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1 wherein the viable whole plant seed is viable whole com or cotton seed.

### Claim 9 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein a bulk sample of viable whole plant seed is devitalized.

### Claim 10 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein the viable whole plant seed are not autoclaved or subjected to an inert gas and heat of at least 40 oc.

### Claim 11 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein freezing the hydrated whole plant seed comprises freezing the frozen whole plant seed at a temperature between 0 octo-20 oc.

### Claim 12 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein freezing the hydrated whole plant seed comprises freezing the frozen whole plant seed in a period of time of two hours or less.

### Claim 13 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein freezing the hydrated whole plant seed comprises freezing the frozen whole plant seed with cold air.

### Claim 14 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein freezing the hydrated whole plant seed comprises freezing the frozen whole plant seed with liquid nitrogen.

### Claim 15 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein freezing the hydrated whole plant seed comprises freezing the frozen whole plant seed with liquid carbon dioxide.

### Claim 16 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1 wherein the viable whole plant seed is a viable whole plant seed selected from the group consisting of viable whole soybean, canola, and cotton seed.

### Claim 17 (depends on 1)

A devitalized plant seed produced by the method of claim 1.

### Claim 18 (depends on 17)

The devitalized plant seed of claim 17 wherein the devitalized plant seed is selected from the group consisting of viable whole corn, soybean, canola, and cotton seed.

### Claim 19

A collection of devitalized whole plant seed wherein the integrity of genomic DNA and protein within the devitalized plant seed is preserved.

### Claim 20 (depends on 19)

The collection of devitalized plant seed of claim 19 wherein the devitalized plant seed is selected from the group consisting of viable whole corn, soybean, canola, and cotton seed.