A method for monitoring and/or calibrating a device designed for three-dimensional X-ray optical inspection of seedlings in different growth phases may optically or X-ray optically measure natural seedlings in three dimensions at predetermined times during their growth phase. The method may create a control program for a device which is designed for the three-dimensional printing of artificial seedlings as reference samples which are replicas of the natural seedlings in each case using the recorded measured values. The method may also produce artificial seedlings with a plastic using the device in accordance with the created control program. The artificial seedlings thus produced may be measured three-dimensionally by X-ray optics and the measured values thus acquired may be recorded in a control chart or an already created control chart is adapted, with which control chart monitoring and/or calibration of the device designed for the three-dimensional X-ray optical inspection of seedlings is performed.

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.

Rapid pulse programming of a seed, to obtain improved germination probability, and increased root mass, and crop yield, by illuminating the seed with radiation of a wavelength distribution from 300 nm to 20 microns, with a minimum average irradiance of 0.2 Watts/cm.sup.2 and a maximum average irradiance of 7 Watts/cm.sup.2, and having a narrow specific range of cumulative illumination energy from ½ Joules/cm.sup.2 to 3 Joules/cm2 or a higher transition point cumulative illumination energy, so as to specifically engage an irradiance-sensitive and energy-sensitive hidden stimulative exposure response in the seed and so as to avoid illumination of higher cumulative illumination energy that would cause a different and destructive exposure response in the seed. Preferred wavelengths include one or both of Medium Wavelength Infrared (MWIR) radiation and an Indigo Region Illumination Distribution (IRID), which may be applied to an illuminated agricultural planter.

Disclosed is a biomechanical measuring technical method for maize seed radicle and coleorhiza separation, which is characterized by comprising the following operations: (1) seed sample preparation; (2) anterior tissue cutting; (3) radicle and coleorhiza separation; (4) coleorhiza sample acquisition; (5) coleorhiza sample fixation; (6) puncture force measurement; (7) information storage and analysis. The operation (3) includes the development of a maize radicle and coleorhiza separation device, and the operation (5) includes the development of a maize coleorhiza sample carrier. The present disclosure has the beneficial effects of providing direct biomechanical evidence for the research on the coleorhiza weakening regulation and control mechanism of the maize seed germination, and simultaneously providing reference for measuring the coleorhiza weakening biological force of the gramineous plant seeds.

A seed imaging system for imaging seeds includes a seed transfer station configured to move seeds through the system. An imaging assembly includes a first camera mounted relative to the seed transfer station and configured to acquire images of the seeds as the seeds move through the system. A second camera is mounted relative to the seed transfer station and is configured to acquire images of the seeds as the seeds move through the system. The second camera has an imaging modality different from an imaging modality of the first camera. First and second cameras may be disposed above and below the seed transfer stations, such as a transparent belt.

A canola seed sample crusher features a frame, and a drum rotatably carried on the frame and having an array of seed pockets on an outer periphery thereof. The seed pockets are sized and shaped to receive individual canola seeds respectively therein. A pathway is arranged to receive a length of adhesive tape and guide same over the seed pockets in the outer periphery of the drum during rotation thereof to adhesively collect the sample of canola seeds from the seed pockets onto the adhesive tape. A crushing mechanism is carried on the frame and operatively installed at a position along the pathway to crush the sample of canola seeds collected on the adhesive tape during passage of the tap through the crushing mechanism.

Methods for preserving viability of plant tissues such as plant embryos are provided herein. Also included are methods for storing genomic DNA and/or molecular marker assay materials in an oil bilayer as part of a high-throughput molecular characterization system. Moreover, plant embryos may be treated while in an oil matrix. The treatment may include chromosome doubling, Agrobacterium-mediated transformation, or herbicide selection as part of an embryo rescue process.

Techniques are described herein for using artificial intelligence to predict crop yields based on observational crop data. A method includes: obtaining a first digital image of at least one plant; segmenting the first digital image of the at least one plant to identify at least one seedpod in the first digital image; for each of the at least one seedpod in the first digital image: determining a color of the seedpod; determining a number of seeds in the seedpod; inferring, using one or more machine learning models, a moisture content of the seedpod based on the color of the seedpod; and estimating, based on the moisture content of the seedpod and the number of seeds in the seedpod, a weight of the seedpod; and predicting a crop yield based on the moisture content and the weight of each of the at least one seedpod.

The present disclosure provides a seed slicer device (100), which includes: a first plate (102) provided with first holes (104); a second plate (106) provided with second holes (108), adapted to fit over the first plate; a sliding plate (110) slidably coupled to a top portion of the second plate, operable to cover the second holes; a third plate (112) provided with a third holes (114), adapted to fit over the second plate; and a cutting assembly (116) coupled to the third plate and adapted to slide over the third holes to provide a slicing action. The seeds are received by the third holes such that at least a first part of the seeds extend beyond the third holes, and, upon actuation of the cutting assembly, the seeds are cut by the cutting means to divide the seeds into corresponding first parts and second parts.

An intelligent seed production apparatus and method based on multistage screening and bud eye identification includes a feeding module, a pre-cutting module, a bud eye identifying and cutting module, and a material mixing module. The feeding module can screen out seed potatoes with the mass and shapes meeting the requirements through a multistage screening mechanism. The pre-cutting module can receive the seed potatoes discharged from the feeding module, and cut each seed potato in half; the bud eye identifying and cutting module can receive the seed potato pieces discharged from the pre-cutting module and determine the weight of the seed potatoes and identify the bud eye distribution on the surfaces of the seed potatoes, and cut the seed potato into multiple required tubers, so that bud eyes are distributed on different tubers uniformly. The material mixing module can receive the cut tubers, and complete the material mixing of the tubers.