The present invention provides methods and devices for the rapid isolation of monocot plant embryos suitable for transformation or tissue culture. The invention includes mechanical devices for substantially isolating plant embryos for use as transformable explants. Media suitable for isolating plant embryos and methods for their preparation are also provided.

A plant propagation system is provided that includes a holder for holding at least two plants in relative spaced apart relation to enable a predetermined operation (such as, for example, a cutting operation) to be performed on each of the plants within the holder during a single pass.

A method of cultivating plant in transparent sealed container and base used therefor, wherein the base is mainly obtained by solidifying a mixture formed by adding gellan gum to transparent nutritional liquid; the gellan gum being added to the nutritional liquid is in an amount of 2-10 g/L; the base has a PH value of 3.5-10.0. The use of gellan gum as the sole transparent solidifying agent ensures the gellan gum, the base of the present invention is capable of adhering securely in the transparent sealed container. As shown by experiments, the base of the present invention will not slide or disperse in the transparent sealed container under normal shaking state, and can remain adhered to the transparent sealed container for 3-10 minutes when the transparent sealed container is turned upside down.

A method of producing a stably transformed corn plant in a single container is demonstrated. This method allows for the automation of the transformation process and reduces labor, material, and ergonomic costs associated with traditional plant tissue culture systems.

A propagation plug includes an irradiated, hydrophilic substrate body comprising a growing medium having bound organic fibers, the substrate body being rewettable and having a moisture content of less than about 20 wt. %, based on the total weight of the body, as measured according to ASTM test method no. D2216 and being sterile as evidenced by having an aerobic bacterial count of <10 cfu/g as measured by ISO test method no. 4833-1.

A plant propagation system is described that can be utilized for micropropagation through early stages of plant development. A system can include multiple plant support matrices, containers for the matrices, and optionally a tool for separating sections of a plant support matrix from the remainder of the matrix. During use developing plant tissue can be transferred between matrices and growth media can be varied with little or no damage to developing plant tissue and lower chances for contamination of the developing plant tissues.

Methods and devices for separating fluid-suspended plant propagules and non-plant propagules based on differences in their fluid drag properties are disclosed. Deposition method and device for depositing plant propagules into a receiver comprising growth substrate by means of a fluid jet is disclosed. An automated system for processing plant propagules from a bioreactor to the growth substrate is also disclosed.

A method, apparatus, and system are provided for the printing and maturation of living tissue in an Earth-referenced reduced gravity environment such as that found on a spacecraft or on other celestial bodies. The printing may be three-dimensional structures. The printed structures may be manufactured from low viscosity biomaterials.

The present invention provides methods for transforming monocot plants via a simple and rapid protocol, to obtain regenerated plants capable of being planted to soil in as little as 4-8 weeks. Associated cell culture media and growth conditions are also provided, as well as plants and plant parts obtained by the method. Further, a method for screening recalcitrant plant genotypes for transformability by the methods of the present invention is also provided. Further, a system for expanding priority development window for producing transgenic plants by the methods of the present invention is also provided.

A method and apparatus for the regeneration, acclimation and conditioning of in vitro derived plant propagules is presented. The apparatus comprises a regulated chamber, a laminar flow work station coupled to the regulated environment, and a supply compartment. A process control system regulates the chamber to sterile or near sterile conditions. The process control system monitors and modulates the microenvironment, nutritional profile and frequency of fertigation, atmospheric composition, as well as the quality and quantity of irradiance incident on propagules in the sterile chamber. This controlled environ optimizes propagules regeneration, and facilitates the establishment of photoautotrophism and homeostatic capacity of plant tissues. Furthermore, the apparatus allows for the metabolic and morphologic conditioning of plantlets for high intensity indoor cultivation as well as the inoculation of plantlets with beneficial bacteria and fungi which increase metabolic function and provide a protection from colonization of plantlets by pathogenic microflora through spatial occupation.