Method for Seed Devitalization

Abstract

The invention provides a method for devitalizing plant seed, the method comprising the steps of hydrating a viable whole plant seed and freezing the hydrated whole plant seed. The invention further provides a collection of devitalized whole plant seed wherein the integrity of genomic DNA and protein within the devitalized plant seed is preserved.

1 . A method for devitalizing plant seed while preserving the integrity of genomic DNA and protein within the devitalized plant seed, the method comprising:
 hydrating a viable whole plant seed overnight in the dark at a temperature no higher than about 4° C.; and,   freezing the hydrated whole plant seed, thereby producing a devitalized plant seed.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising the step of freeze-drying the frozen whole plant seed. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the viable whole plant seed is hydrated by contacting the seed with an aqueous solution. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein the aqueous solution is deionized water. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the hydrated whole plant seed is frozen by contacting the seed with a liquid cryogen. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the frozen whole plant seed is freeze dried by lyophilization. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the integrity of genomic DNA and protein within the devitalized plant seed is preserved. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the viable whole plant seed is viable whole corn or cotton seed. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein a bulk sample of viable whole plant seed is devitalized. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the viable whole plant seed are not autoclaved or subjected to an inert gas and heat of at least 40° C. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein freezing the hydrated whole plant seed comprises freezing the frozen whole plant seed at a temperature between 0° C. to −20° C. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein freezing the hydrated whole plant seed comprises freezing the frozen whole plant seed in a period of time of two hours or less. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein freezing the hydrated whole plant seed comprises freezing the frozen whole plant seed with cold air. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein freezing the hydrated whole plant seed comprises freezing the frozen whole plant seed with liquid nitrogen. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein freezing the hydrated whole plant seed comprises freezing the frozen whole plant seed with liquid carbon dioxide. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the viable whole plant seed is a viable whole plant seed selected from the group consisting of viable whole soybean, canola, and cotton seed. 
     
     
         17 . A devitalized plant seed produced by the method of  claim 1 . 
     
     
         18 . The devitalized plant seed of  claim 17  wherein the devitalized plant seed is selected from the group consisting of viable whole corn, soybean, canola, and cotton seed. 
     
     
         19 . A collection of devitalized whole plant seed wherein the integrity of genomic DNA and protein within the devitalized plant seed is preserved. 
     
     
         20 . The collection of devitalized plant seed of  claim 19  wherein the devitalized plant seed is selected from the group consisting of viable whole corn, soybean, canola, and cotton seed.