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.

Automatic germination equipment for oat grains includes a plurality of germination accelerating tank bodies each of which is of a hollow structure, a first direction and a second direction are self-defined in each germination accelerating tank body, a plurality of leaching layers are fixedly arranged in each germination accelerating tank body in the first direction, and the leaching layers are fixedly installed on an inner side surface of the germination accelerating tank body; and a reciprocating switch valve device which includes a bottom valve and a rotating lead screw fixedly connected to the bottom valve, the bottom valve is fixedly connected to an outer side surface of the germination accelerating tank body in the first direction, and one end of the rotating lead screw away from the bottom valve passes through the leaching layers in the second direction and extends towards the interior of the germination accelerating tank body.

Automatic germination equipment for oat grains includes a plurality of germination accelerating tank bodies each of which is of a hollow structure, a first direction and a second direction are self-defined in each germination accelerating tank body, a plurality of leaching layers are fixedly arranged in each germination accelerating tank body in the first direction, and the leaching layers are fixedly installed on an inner side surface of the germination accelerating tank body; and a reciprocating switch valve device which includes a bottom valve and a rotating lead screw fixedly connected to the bottom valve, the bottom valve is fixedly connected to an outer side surface of the germination accelerating tank body in the first direction, and one end of the rotating lead screw away from the bottom valve passes through the leaching layers in the second direction and extends towards the interior of the germination accelerating tank body.

The invention tracks and automatically evaluates plant traits of “individuals of plant canopy” in a growth process of a germination period (from sowing until immediately prior to primary seedling culture), at a plant factory with artificial lighting. Specifically, a two-dimensional distribution of the plant traits is calculated by non-destructively and continuously measuring plant trait information in the growth process of the germination period, on the basis of image information 2a, environmental factor information 2b, genetic characteristic information 2c, and management information 2d. In addition, physiological performance reactions of the individuals of plant canopy cultivated in an environmentally-controlled closed space are continuously measured, and measurements are continuously taken of the two-dimensional distribution of the environmental factor information, and items such as temperature, vapor pressure deficit, nutrient solution percentage, nutrient solution temperature, pH, and electric conductivity.

The invention tracks and automatically evaluates plant traits of “individuals of plant canopy” in a growth process of a germination period (from sowing until immediately prior to primary seedling culture), at a plant factory with artificial lighting. Specifically, a two-dimensional distribution of the plant traits is calculated by non-destructively and continuously measuring plant trait information in the growth process of the germination period, on the basis of image information 2a, environmental factor information 2b, genetic characteristic information 2c, and management information 2d. In addition, physiological performance reactions of the individuals of plant canopy cultivated in an environmentally-controlled closed space are continuously measured, and measurements are continuously taken of the two-dimensional distribution of the environmental factor information, and items such as temperature, vapor pressure deficit, nutrient solution percentage, nutrient solution temperature, pH, and electric conductivity.

Systems and methods for seed germination and planting include: a germinator unit providing an environment for seeds to germinate in water, and means to deliver the germinated seeds in batch form, suspended in an aqueous hydrogel; and a planting unit to accept batches of suspended seeds and dispense the seeds, preferably in singulated manner, to selected locations in a planting environment. The planting unit may be man-portable, mounted on a trailer or autonomous vehicle, or substantially stationary for use in a greenhouse. The planting environment may be a field or it may be a planting tray, pot, or other container for use in a greenhouse.

A rotational sprouter system, is disclosed including: a chamber comprising an opening; a porous end cap that is configured to engage the opening of the chamber; a reservoir; wherein the chamber and the porous end cap are at least partially submerged in the reservoir such that an interior of the chamber is in communication with the reservoir via the porous end cap; and wherein the porous end cap is adapted to engage a drive mechanism that is configured to rotate the chamber and the porous end cap while the chamber and the porous end cap are at least partially submerged in the reservoir.

A rotational sprouter system, is disclosed including: a chamber comprising an opening; a porous end cap that is configured to engage the opening of the chamber; a reservoir; wherein the chamber and the porous end cap are at least partially submerged in the reservoir such that an interior of the chamber is in communication with the reservoir via the porous end cap; and wherein the porous end cap is adapted to engage a drive mechanism that is configured to rotate the chamber and the porous end cap while the chamber and the porous end cap are at least partially submerged in the reservoir.

Providing a seed development environment is disclosed, including by: obtaining a seed type associated with seeds that have been deposited into a seed development environment device; determining an environmental control sequence corresponding to the seed type, wherein the environmental control sequence includes a plurality of target hydration levels for a plurality of seed development phases; and executing the environmental control sequence corresponding to the seed type, including at least by providing the plurality of target hydration levels using a hydration system and by adjusting hydration in the seed development environment device based on feedback from a hydration sensor that is included in the seed development environment device

Providing a seed development environment is disclosed, including by: obtaining a seed type associated with seeds that have been deposited into a seed development environment device; determining an environmental control sequence corresponding to the seed type, wherein the environmental control sequence includes a plurality of target hydration levels for a plurality of seed development phases; and executing the environmental control sequence corresponding to the seed type, including at least by providing the plurality of target hydration levels using a hydration system and by adjusting hydration in the seed development environment device based on feedback from a hydration sensor that is included in the seed development environment device