A seed activation system includes a shattering layer applied to an outer surface of a seed. The shattering layer forms a water-resistant coating around the seed that prevents the seed from germinating. An activation mechanism for transmitting electromagnetic energy is provided such that the shattering layer is compromised to break the water-resistant coating. The seed is then able to receive water and germinate. A seed activation method includes applying a shattering layer to an outer surface of a seed. The shattering layer forms a water-resistant coating around the seed that prevents the seed from germinating. The method further includes planting the seed in a soil, selecting an activation time, and activating the seed at the activation time by transmitting electromagnetic energy into the soil such that the shattering layer is compromised thereby breaking the water-resistant coating. The seed is then able to receive water for germinating.

The present invention discloses methods and devices for a germination profile indicator based on conductivity including: utilizing a target-profile correlation of a target profile of an API from a plant seed to a target germination stage, the target profile includes identifying characteristics of chemical components, and wherein the target germination stage relates to a progress of a seed-germination process of the target profile; utilizing a process-profile correlation of germination-process profiles during the seed-germination process to respective process germination stages, wherein each germination-process profile relates to extracted seed material during the respective process germination stage; comparing characteristics of the target profile to corresponding features in the germination-process profiles; selecting an optimal state of the respective process germination stage to maximize an API quantity; and cross-correlating the optimal state to a conductivity range for the seed in a soak water within a given temperature range to identify a temperature-dependent germination stopping condition.

A bioreactor comprising: an upper container with transparent walls for the material being propagated, the container being provided with gas exchange diffuser to the external environment, humidifier, and artificial illumination; a lower container with transparent walls, having an aluminum tray and a point of water entry and/or nutrient medium, located in the bottom of the container; points of injection/removal of air/oxygen/carbon dioxide located in the lid; point of additional injection of carbon dioxide, close to the bottom of the upper container; hermetic connection device between the upper and lower containers for supply/drainage of the nutrient medium; a screen support for the material to be propagated; locking devices to hermetically close the upper container; and the lower container; and pneumatic drivers of the liquid nutrient medium between the upper container and the lower container.

A bioreactor comprising: an upper container with transparent walls for the material being propagated, the container being provided with gas exchange diffuser to the external environment, humidifier, and artificial illumination; a lower container with transparent walls, having an aluminum tray and a point of water entry and/or nutrient medium, located in the bottom of the container; points of injection/removal of air/oxygen/carbon dioxide located in the lid; point of additional injection of carbon dioxide, close to the bottom of the upper container; hermetic connection device between the upper and lower containers for supply/drainage of the nutrient medium; a screen support for the material to be propagated; locking devices to hermetically close the upper container; and the lower container; and pneumatic drivers of the liquid nutrient medium between the upper container and the lower container.

An automated method for sampling seeds generally includes removing material from a seed at an automated sampling station and then, after removing the material from the seed, detecting, by at least one sensor, movement of the seed out of the automated sampling station. The automated method may also include, after removing the material from the seed, transferring the seed from the automated sampling station to a seed container and transferring the material removed from the seed from the automated sampling station to a sample container.

An automated method for removing tissue from a seed is provided. The automated method includes singulating a seed from a plurality of seeds and imaging the singulated seed to obtain at least one characteristic of the seed. The automated method further includes positioning the singulated seed in a sampler of an automated seed sampling assembly and removing, by the sampler, tissue from the singulated seed based on the at least one characteristic of the seed.

Disclosed herein are methods and systems for electromagnetic treatment of a plant and/or seed. The electromagnetic treatment can improve or modify plant and/or seed growth, development, chemical profile, appearance, tolerances, etc. The electromagnetic treatment can also reduce plant and/or seed pests.

Disclosed herein are methods and systems for electromagnetic treatment of a plant and/or seed. The electromagnetic treatment can improve or modify plant and/or seed growth, development, chemical profile, appearance, tolerances, etc. The electromagnetic treatment can also reduce plant and/or seed pests.

An automated system for sampling seeds generally includes an automated sampling station having a sampler configured to remove material from a seed while protecting germination viability of the seed, a seed conveyor configured to receive the seed from out of the sampling station after the material is removed from the seed, and a sample conveyor configured to receive the material removed from the seed. The sample conveyor is configured to locate the material removed from the seed in a sample container, and the seed conveyor is configured to locate the seed from which the material is removed in a seed container so as to facilitate a one-to-one correspondence between the seed and the material removed from the seed.

Embodiments herein disclosed relate to a computer-controlled germination system built around a rotating vessel within which a germinating process takes place. The system includes automatable controls over air flow, water flow, temperature, and vessel rotation; and air and water recirculation mechanisms provide energy efficient control over air and water temperature, humidity, and/or CO.sub.2 content.