US 7,611,842 B2 · Automated seed sampler and methods of sampling, testing and bulking seeds

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.

Claims12

Dependent claims

An automated method for analyzing individual seeds in a population of seeds having genetic differences, the method comprising:

removing a tissue sample comprising cells with DNA from a plurality of seeds in the population while maintaining the germination viability of the seeds;
screening DNA extracted from each tissue sample for the presence or absence of a genetic marker;
selecting seeds from the population based upon the results of the DNA screening;
and
cultivating plants from the selected seeds.

2 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application

11/213,435Filed 26 Aug 2005 · us provisional application

Priority

26 Aug 2004

Published

US 2006/0046264 A12 Mar 2006

Granted

3 Nov 2009

Term ends

Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification15 codes

G01N 1/04
Devices for withdrawing samples: in the solid state, e.g. by cutting
A01C 1/00
Apparatus, or methods of use thereof, for testing or treating seed, roots
A01C 1/025
Germinating apparatus; Determining germination capacity of seeds or the like: testing seeds for determining their viability or germination capacity
A01H 4/003
Plant reproduction by tissue culture techniques ; Tissue culture techniques therefor: cutting apparatus specially adapted for tissue culture

Automated seed sampler and methods of sampling, testing and bulking seeds

Life of this patent

Automated seed sampler and methods of sampling, testing and bulking seeds

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims12