Methods for classification of somatic embryos

Abstract

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.

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed are defined as follows:  
     
         1 . A method for classifying plant embryo quality comprising: 
 (a) developing a classification model by 
 (i) acquiring raw digital image data of reference samples of whole plant embryos or of embryo organs from plant embryos of known embryo quality;  
 (ii) performing a data analysis by applying one or more classification algorithms to the acquired raw digital image data, wherein at least one of the classification algorithms uses more than an embryo perimeter from the acquired raw digital image data, the data analysis resulting in development of a classification model for classifying plant embryos by embryo quality;  
   (b) acquiring raw digital image data of a plant embryo or a plant embryo organ from a plant embryo of unknown embryo quality; and    (c) applying the developed classification model to the raw digital image data of step (b) in order to classify the quality of the plant embryo of unknown embryo quality.    
     
     
         2 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein the raw digital image data acquired in step (a)(i) is preprocessed using one or more preprocessing algorithms before step (a)(ii); the raw digital image data acquired in step (b) is preprocessed using one or more preprocessing algorithms; and step (c) is carried out using the preprocessed raw digital image data.  
     
     
         3 . A method according to  claim 2 , wherein the preprocessing algorithm removes raw image data that is not from the plant embryo or plant embryo organ.  
     
     
         4 . A method according to  claim 2 , wherein the preprocessing algorithm reduces the amount of raw image data yet retains substantially all of the embryo or embryo organ geometric information.  
     
     
         5 . A method according to  claim 2 , wherein the preprocessing algorithm calculates metrics.  
     
     
         6 . A method according to  claim 1  wherein the raw digital image data is acquired from more than one view of the plant embryo or plant embryo organ.  
     
     
         7 . A method according to  claim 1  wherein the plant embryo quality is morphology.  
     
     
         8 . A method according to  claim 1  wherein the plant embryo quality is embryo conversion potential.  
     
     
         9 . A method according to  claim 1  wherein the plant embryo is a plant somatic embryo.  
     
     
         10 . A method according to  claim 1  wherein the plant is a tree.  
     
     
         11 . A method according to  claim 10  wherein the tree is a member of the order Coniferales.  
     
     
         12 . A method according to  claim 10  wherein the tree is a member of the family Pinaceae.  
     
     
         13 . A method according to  claim 10  wherein the tree is selected from the group consisting of genera Pseudotsuga and Pinus.