Weyerhaeuser Company Limited

Weyerhaeuser Nr Company

William C Carlson

Jeffrey E Hartle

Michael K McKinnis

James A Grob

Barbara K Bower

Craig N Cootsona

Mollie K Heilesen

Paul G Gaddis

Edwin Hirahara

Antony R Shoaf

Katherine M Salatas

Curtis A Bryan

Roger Timmis

Michael W Teodoro

Paul Roger Spencer

Mitchell R Toland

Patrick Gaillard

Bruce Francis

Randy L Eatherton

Kathy Salatas

Amy Harris

Willis R Littke

Timnit Ghermay

Russell T Barham

Jessica M King

Erin Wallich

George E Herold

Christine A Dean

Jessie Lynne Wetzbarger

Katie A Brinkerhoff

Margaret E Nartea

The present invention is directed towards methods for the classification of plant embryos by the application of one or more classification algorithms to analyze digitized images and absorption, transmittance, or reflectance spectra. The methods are generally applicable and emphasize the importance of acquiring and using as much image and absorption, transmittance, or reflectance spectral information as possible, based on objective criteria. The present invention allows automated selection of embryos most suitable for further culture and rejection of those seen as less suitable.

Image classification of germination potential of somatic embryos

The present disclosure includes a manufactured seed comprising a seed shell and a restraint disposed within the seed shell. The seed shell is a structure having an open end and a closed end. A primary end seal is disposed on the open end of the seed shell. A secondary end seal is arranged on the primary end seal, the secondary end seal being coated, at least partially, with a paraffin oil.

Manufactured seed having a treated end seal assembly

In one aspect, a method is provided for producing an improved nutritive medium comprising an adsorbent material for culturing plant embryos.

Methods of preparing nutritive media for growth and/or germination of plant embryos

The present disclosure includes a shoot restraint for use with manufactured seeds comprising. In some embodiments, the shoot restraint includes a substantially porous material having a top surface and a bottom surface. The substantially porous material is formed to define a substantially cylindrical upper portion having an upper diameter; and a substantially cylindrical lower portion having a lower diameter. The upper diameter is larger than the lower diameter. A parabolic cavity extends from the top surface to the bottom surface through the upper portion and at least partially into the lower portion.

Shoot restraint for use with manufactured seeds

A manufactured seed is provided. The manufactured seed includes a seed shell housing a nutritive media and a restraint disposed within the seed shell. The restraint includes a cavity. The manufactured seed also includes an embryo disposed within the cavity and a fill material disposed within the cavity. The manufactured further includes a seal disposed on the seed shell to seal the embryo within the seed shell.

Manufactured seed having packing material

The present disclosure includes a manufactured seed comprising a seed shell and a restraint disposed within the seed shell. The seed shell is a structure having an open end and a closed end. The restraint comprises a parabolic cavity. A seal assembly is disposed on the open end of the seed shell in a configuration effective to seal the seed shell.

Manufactured seed having parabolic cavity

Manufactured seeds are disclosed that comprise a unit of totipotent plant tissue and a nutritive medium. The nutritive medium can contain a number of different components selected from the following: a gel solute, charcoal, a carbon source, urea, KNO, NHNO, CuCl, CuSO, KI, KHPO, CaCl, MgSO, NaEDTA, FeSO, ferric citrate, MnSO, MnCl, HBO, ZnSO, CoCl, NaMoO, (NH)MoO, thiamine, riboflavin, pyridoxine, HCl, Ca-pantothenate, nicotinic acid, biotin, folic acid, and myo-inositol. The nutritive medium can also include any of various protein amino acids, any of various polyamines, any of various oxygen-absorbing compounds, any of various non-protein amino acids, and/or a smoke suspension.

Nutritive media and manufactured seeds comprising same

The invention provides methods for improving germination of manufactured seeds. The manufactured seed of the invention comprises a seed coat, nutritive media comprising an adsorbent material in a concentration from about 30 g/L to about 100 g/L, and a shoot restraint comprising a cavity. The manufactured seed further comprises a plant embryo. The adsorbent material may be nutrient-treated or non-nutrient-treated charcoal. The manufactured seed may optionally contain an adsorbent material in the cavity of the shoot restraint.

Method to improve germination of embryos from manufactured seed

In one aspect, an improved nutritive media is provided that comprises from 10 g/L to 100 g/L of an adsorbent material, from 350 mg/L to 450 mg/L of NHNO, from 2000 mg/L to 3000 mg/L of KHPO, from 5 mg/L to 25 mg/L of FeSO, from 600 mg/L to 1500 mg/L of MgSO; and at least one component selected from the group consisting of: from 150 mg/L to 300 mg/L of Myo-inositol, from 1.5 mg/L to 3.0 mg/L of Thiamine-HCl, from 0.30 mg/L to 0.80 mg/L of Pyridoxine-HCl, from 1.5 mg/L to 3.0 mg/L of Nicotinic acid, from 0.15 mg/L to 0.30 mg/L of Riboflavin, from 0.75 mg/L to 2.0 mg/L of Ca-pantothenate, from 0.01 mg/L to 0.03 mg/L of Biotin and from 0.15 mg/L to 0.30 mg/L of Folic Acid. In another aspect, a manufactured seed is provided comprising the improved nutritive media.

Nutritive media for use in manufactured seeds

The invention provides methods for improving the germination of manufactured seeds. The methods comprise the step of subjecting a manufactured seed to at least one change in ambient pressure for a period of time sufficient to generate a conditioned manufactured seed.

Method to improve manufactured seed germination by exposure to a change in ambient pressure

A method for selecting conifer trees is disclosed. This method relates to the early measurement of tree characteristics for selecting trees most likely to exhibit certain traits as they mature. This method can be used for implementing silvicultural treatments, thinning or further breeding.

Method for selecting conifer trees

Methods and systems for three-dimensionally imaging an apical dome located at the cotyledon end of a plant embryo are provided. Three-dimensional information of an apical dome can be obtained by scanning the apical dome at varying focal planes along an axis of the embryo, or by using multiple cameras arranged in a confocal manner to image the apical dome. It can also be obtained by irradiating the apical dome with polychromatic light, wherein light beams of multiple wavelengths are focused at multiple focal planes along the axis of the embryo so that the dome's height information can be obtained based on the wavelength of the light precisely focused and reflected at each surface point of the dome. The three-dimensional information is used to ascertain various morphological features (e.g., size, shape, texture, etc.) of the apical dome, which are in turn used to assess the embryo's germinant vigor.

Method and system for three-dimensionally imaging an apical dome of a plant embryo

A method of preparing a material for use in a manufactured seed is provided. The method includes providing the material having a melting temperature. The method also includes subjecting the material to a heat treatment at a temperature about 10% below the melting temperature for a predetermined period of time.

Method of preparing a material for an artificial seed

A vacuum pick-up deviceincludes a device bodyhaving a pick-up tip openingto which vacuum pressure is supplied. The vacuum pick-up devicefurther includes a mechanical release assisting devicethat assists in the release of a grasped object contemporaneously with or slightly subsequent to the cessation of vacuum pressure. A manifoldmay be included to efficiently and effectively supply vacuum pressure to the device bodyfrom a vacuum pressure source.

Vacuum pick-up device with mechanically assisted release

The invention provides methods for improving the germination of manufactured seeds. The methods comprise the steps of: (a) culturing a plant embryo in a germination medium; and (b) assembling the cultured plant embryo into a manufactured seed. The methods of the invention are applicable to zygotic and somatic plant embryos.

Growing community of inventors

Olympia, WA, United States of America

William C Carlson