Automated seed sampler and methods of sampling, testing and bulking seeds
AssigneeMonsanto Technology LLC
InventorsKevin L. Deppermann, Michael W. Petersen
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An automated seed sampler includes a sampling station; a sampler for removing material from a seed in the sampling station; a seed conveyer for conveying the seed from the sampling station to a compartment in a seed tray; and a conveyor for conveying the material removed from the seed to a corresponding compartment in a sample tray. The method of the present invention comprises feeding seeds individually to a sampling station, removing a sample from the seed in the sampling station; conveying the sample to a compartment in a sample tray, and conveying the seed to a corresponding compartment in a seed tray. The samples can be tested, and the seeds can be sorted according to the results of the testing of their corresponding samples.
Claims6
A method of bulking seeds in a population comprising:
- (a) taking a sample from each seed in the population, wherein the sample includes a portion of said each seed;
- (b) conveying each seed and the sample from each seed to separate locations of known relationship;
- (c) testing each sample for a desired property;
- and
- (d) thereafter separating the seeds based upon the results of the testing from each seed.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.