Method and computer program product for distinguishing and sorting seeds containing a genetic element of interest

Abstract

Seeds containing a genetic element of interest can be distinguished and sorted from a bulk sample of seeds. In certain embodiments, a marker is associated with at least some of the seeds containing a genetic element of interest, the seeds are excited using an photonic emitting device, and at least some of the seeds of the bulk sample are evaluated for the presence or absence of the marker and may be sorted based on the presence or absence of the marker. In certain embodiments, the marker is a red fluorescent protein marker. In certain embodiments, the red fluorescent protein marker is discernable when excited by a certain energy and the evaluating step comprises exciting the seeds containing a genetic element of interest with the certain energy and detecting an emission resulting at least in part from the exciting step.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method for distinguishing seeds containing a genetic element of interest from a bulk sample of seeds, the method comprising:
 associating a fluorescent protein marker with a genetic element of interest contained in at least some of the seeds of a bulk sample;   exciting fluorescence in at least some of the seeds in the bulk sample with an LED light source;   automatically feeding the bulk sample of seeds past an image sensing device; and   automatically sorting the seeds based on the presence or absence of fluorescence.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein exciting at least some of seeds with an LED light source comprises exciting at least some of the seeds with an LED array. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein exciting at least some of the seeds with an LED light source comprises exciting at least some of the seeds with a green LED light source. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein exciting at least some of the seeds with an LED light source comprises exciting at least some of the seeds with a green LED array light source. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the seeds are placed into a hopper prior to being fed past an image sensing device. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein fluorescence is excited after the seeds are placed in the hopper. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the seeds are singulated prior to being fed past an image sensing device.