Plant graft production line

Abstract

A plant graft production line for automatically grafting a rootstock and a scion is disclosed. The plant graft production line comprises (a) a closed-loop conveyor; (b) at least one grafting assembly arranged for transporting along said conveyor; a stationary cutting mechanism for cutting exposed rootstock surface; (c) a stationary cutting mechanism for cutting exposed scion surface; (d) a stationary clipping mechanism for clipping superimposed rootstock and scion together. The rootstock holder is arranged as an at least three point grip. The holder comprises a supporting member having a rounded top arranged to support the rootstock and clamping elements.

1 . A plant graft production line for automatically grafting a rootstock and a scion;
 said plant graft production line comprises
 a. a closed-loop conveyor; 
 b. at least one grafting assembly arranged for transporting along said conveyor; said at least one grafting assembly further comprising a rootstock holder for holding said rootstock and a scion holder for holding said scion; said holders arranged for at least partially superimposing said rootstock and scion; 
 c. a stationary cutting mechanism for cutting exposed rootstock surface; 
 d. a stationary cutting mechanism for cutting exposed scion surface; 
 e. a stationary clipping mechanism for clipping superimposed rootstock and scion together;
 wherein said rootstock holder is arranged as an at least three point grip; said holder comprises a supporting member having a rounded top arranged to support said rootstock and clamping elements. 
 
   
     
     
         2 . The plant graft production line according to  claim 1 , wherein said conveyor is ramified into at least two branches for performing at least one operation. 
     
     
         3 . The plant graft production line according to  claim 1 , wherein said cutting mechanism is arranged to angularly cut said scion at a predetermined angle of about 30°. 
     
     
         4 . The plant graft production line according to  claim 1 , wherein said at least one grafting assembly is arranged for transporting along a guiding rail; said scion holder comprises a clip for holding said scion; said scion holder comprises a support for a cut scion. 
     
     
         5 . The plant graft production line according to  claim 1 , wherein said at least one grafting assembly is configurable to a first position for loading said rootstock and scion and a second position for superimposing said cut rootstock and said cut scion. 
     
     
         6 . The plant graft production line according to  claim 1 , wherein said at least one grafting assembly comprises a mechanism arranged for approaching said rootstock and scion holders; said mechanism is selected from the group consisting of a mechanical mechanism, an electrical mechanism, a pneumatic mechanism and any combination thereof. 
     
     
         7 . A hybrid plant graft according to  claim 1 , wherein said hybrid graft is selected from the group consisting of grafted melon, grafted cucumber, grafted eggplant, grafted tomato and grafted basil.