The invention concerns compositions and methods for authenticating an agricultural product.

The invention relates to a method and system for picking up and collecting plant matter, in particular plant embryos. To pick up the plant matter, a pick-up unit is used that is mounted to a robotic arm. According to the invention, two separate imaging steps are performed at two different positions of the pick-up unit. The first imaging step is performed to identify an isolated piece of plant matter. The second imaging step is performed when the pick-up unit is at a confirming position and enables a verification of whether a piece of plant matter has been picked up or not. The confirming position is in between the position of the pick-up unit for picking up plant matter and the position for depositing plant matter in suitable receptacles.

The disclosure relates to polylactic acid compositions comprising a degradation additive and a thermal stability additive. The polylactic acid compositions have increased rates of degradation when compared to polylactic acid composition without the disclosed additives. The polylactic acid compositions are particularly suitable for use in artificial seeds.

The present invention relates generally to an artificial plant seed and to its use for plant propagation, in particular, for the propagation of cannabis plants.

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.

This invention relates to a process for producing a genetically modified seed. In particular, there is provided a process for producing a genetically modified Cannabis seed that germinates into a plant, the process comprising: (a) preparing a cell culture comprising genetically engineered Cannabis cells having at least one gene that expresses a psychoactive cannabinoid deleted; (b) establishing a callus culture for forming a somatic embryo; (c) forming a bio-ink comprising the somatic embryo that is encapsulated by a hydrogel and used as an artificial seed; and (d) three-dimensional (3D) printing the artificial seed comprised in the bio-ink. Also provided the 3D-printed artificial Cannabis seed having a shape other than that of a naturally occurring wild type Cannabis seed.

Provided herein are processes for the preparation of treated seeds. Generally, the processes described herein include providing a single, solid one-piece body. The single, solid one-piece body has a selected mass and volume. The process further includes reducing the single, solid one-piece body, and contacting the seeds with the seed treatment component.

A pick-and-place system for plant embryos includes a tray for receiving a suspension of plant embryos. The tray is movable to repeatedly reposition the plant embryos. An identification system is proximate the tray for identifying a target plant embryo amongst the plant embryos in the suspension. The identification system is configured to identify the target plant embryo while the tray is moving. A robotic arm is proximate the tray and is in communication with the identification system. The robotic arm is actuatable to pick the target plant embryo out of the suspension while the tray is moving, and deposit the target plant embryo at a target location.

An agricultural system includes a container containing a medium and a plant source. The medium may be a binder, and the container may further contain an additive bound to the binder. The medium may be pollen. Agricultural methods are also included.

The invention relates to a method and system for picking up and collecting plant matter, in particular plant embryos. To pick up the plant matter, a pick-up unit is used that is mounted to a robotic arm. According to the invention, two separate imaging steps are performed at two different positions of the pick-up unit. The first imaging step is performed to identify an isolated piece of plant matter. The second imaging step is performed when the pick-up unit is at a confirming position and enables a verification of whether a piece of plant matter has been picked up or not. The confirming position is in between the position of the pick-up unit for picking up plant matter and the position for depositing plant matter in suitable receptacles.