Methods are described for increasing the concentration of one or more bio-actives in grains, and in some instances, the specific bio actives gamma aminobutyric acid (GABA) and/or Avenanthramide (AVA). The increased concentration of the one or more bio-actives is greater than the concentration of the bio-actives in the naturally occurring grains. Compositions that include grains having an increased concentration of one or more bio-actives are described. Methods for promoting health functions such as one or more of reducing oxidative stress, flow mediated dilation (FMD), reducing blood pressure, reducing risk of developing hypertension, improving blood vessel function, improving endothelial function, improving sleep and/or relaxation by providing the compositions are described.

Methods are described for increasing the concentration of one or more bio-actives in grains, and in some instances, the specific bio actives gamma aminobutyric acid (GABA) and/or Avenanthramide (AVA). The increased concentration of the one or more bio-actives is greater than the concentration of the bio-actives in the naturally occurring grains. Compositions that include grains having an increased concentration of one or more bio-actives are described. Methods for promoting health functions such as one or more of reducing oxidative stress, flow mediated dilation (FMD), reducing blood pressure, reducing risk of developing hypertension, improving blood vessel function, improving endothelial function, improving sleep and/or relaxation by providing the compositions are described.

A method of growing seeds in a hydroponics apparatus to provide animal feed includes trays for receiving seeds, an environmental control arrangement for controlling a temperature and humidity of the trays, and a nutrient solution supply arrangement for providing a nutrient solution to the seeds wherein the method includes: (i) preparing the seeds by removing loose chaff, remnants of husks, and broken seeds; (ii) exposing the prepared seeds to gaseous ozone in either a) a concentration in a range of 5-10 p.p.m.v. for a period in a range of 50-60 minutes or b) a concentration in the range of 10-20 p.p.m.v. for a period in a range of 1-30 minutes, in a relative humidity range of 40%-95%, and at an ambient temperature range of 12 C.-28 C.; and (iii) growing the exposed prepared seeds to provide grown plant material for use in producing the animal feed.

A method of growing seeds in a hydroponics apparatus to provide animal feed includes trays for receiving seeds, an environmental control arrangement for controlling a temperature and humidity of the trays, and a nutrient solution supply arrangement for providing a nutrient solution to the seeds wherein the method includes: (i) preparing the seeds by removing loose chaff, remnants of husks, and broken seeds; (ii) exposing the prepared seeds to gaseous ozone in either a) a concentration in a range of 5-10 p.p.m.v. for a period in a range of 50-60 minutes or b) a concentration in the range of 10-20 p.p.m.v. for a period in a range of 1-30 minutes, in a relative humidity range of 40%-95%, and at an ambient temperature range of 12 C.-28 C.; and (iii) growing the exposed prepared seeds to provide grown plant material for use in producing the animal feed.

The invention relates to a method for preparing primed seed, a method for improving the germination rate of seed, and a use of a gaseous composition. The method for preparing primed seed comprises successively: providing seed that is capable of germinating, exposing said seed to a treatment atmosphere for an exposure time of at least 1 second, wherein the treatment atmosphere has a relative humidity of 50% or more and a temperature of 50-100 C., and wherein the exposure time has a duration of 30 minutes or less, and cooling and optionally drying said seed.

An automated method for analyzing seeds generally includes collecting image data from individual seeds using a seed sampling system, determining at least one characteristic of each of the individual seeds based on the collected image data, and removing tissue from each of the individual seeds using the seed sampling system. The method also includes, prior to removing the tissue sample from each of the individual seeds, adjusting at least one operational parameter of the seed sampling system based on the at least one characteristic of the seed from which the tissue is to be removed to thereby allow for generally consistent removal of tissue from each of the individual 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.

Provided herein are systems and methods for the automation of seed planting and analysis comprising automated planting of the seeds, germination, and analysis. The methods generally comprise conveying containers containing seeds to an automated seed planting station, wherein each container includes a machine-readable tag, planting at least some of the seeds in the container onto respective planting trays, wherein each planting tray includes a machine-readable tag, allowing the seeds to germinate, and analyzing the germinated seeds. The systems generally comprise a seed planting system and a planting verification and correction system. Also provided herein are backlit templates comprising a light source and a power interface configured to connect to a power source to power the light source.

In various exemplary embodiments, a seed mat for insertion into an apparatus for growing plants is provided, wherein the seed mat includes a carrier substrate and seeds, wherein the seeds are fixed on the carrier substrate by means of an adhesive. Furthermore, a method for producing a seed mat in various exemplary embodiments may include: applying an adhesive on a carrier substrate; applying seeds on the carrier substrate provided with the adhesive; and fixing the seeds by the adhesive on the carrier substrate.

A method of cultivating a plant including a step of seeding a seed of the plant on a transparent medium and germinating and a step of evaluating and sorting the seed of the plant after a start of the germinating according to a germinating state, and a plant cultivation apparatus that can be used for the method of cultivating a plant.

A method of cultivating a plant including a step of seeding a seed of the plant on a transparent medium and germinating and a step of evaluating and sorting the seed of the plant after a start of the germinating according to a germinating state, and a plant cultivation apparatus that can be used for the method of cultivating a plant.