Automated high-throughput seed sampler and methods of sampling, testing and bulking seeds

US11357159B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• Monsanto Technology LLC · US

Inventors

• Kevin L. Deppermann · Chesterfield, US
• Lee Yannakakis · Chesterfield, US
• Andrew M. Singleton · Manchester, US
• Angela R. Cargill · Chesterfield, US
• David W. Finley · Kirkwood, US
• Brian J. Forinash · Chesterfield, US
• Allen N. Ondes · Chesterfield, US
• Sam Eathington · Ames, US
• Heather M. Forbes · Ankeny, US
• Bruce Schnicker · Wildwood, US
• Jason Bull · Chesterfield, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Jan 27, 2020
• Grant date: Jun 14, 2022
• Expiry date: Aug 9, 2040

Classification

• Technology area (CPC G): Physics
• CPC primary: G01N2015/1497
• WIPO field: Measurement
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

An automated method for operating an automated seed sampling system having a seed loading station, a seed transport subsystem, and a seed sampling station generally includes sensing whether individual seeds are successfully isolated from a bulk of seeds at the seed loading station, and sensing whether the isolated seeds are properly positioned by the seed transport subsystem adjacent the seed sampling station in preparation for removing tissue from the isolated seeds. In some aspects, the method further includes analyzing the tissue removed from the seeds for presence or absence of at least one characteristic, and selecting seeds based on presence or absence of the at least one characteristic.