Method for sorting resistant seed from a mixture with susceptible seed

Abstract

The invention generally relates to a novel method of sorting seed by providing a first seed population with a fluorescent indicator and a second seed population visually identical to the first seed population under standard operating conditions. The seed populations are combined to provide a combined seed population. A lamp having an output corresponding to the activation wavelength of the fluorescent indicator and a color sorting system are paired to count or separate the seed populations, as desired.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method of sorting seed comprising the steps of:
 providing a first group of seeds having a first seed application;   providing a second group of seeds having a second seed application;   providing a third group of seeds not having a seed application;   providing a combination seed group comprising the first, second and third groups of seeds;   passing part of the combination seed group through a process to create or recognize distinctiveness among the three groups of seeds based on the presence or absence of a seed application; and   sorting one or both of the first or second groups from the combination seed group based on acquired distinctiveness based on the first and/or second seed application.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the acquired distinctiveness is selected from the group consisting of:
 A. fluorescence 
 B. phosphorescence 
 C. chemiluminescence 
 D. U.V. absorption 
 E. U.V. reflectance 
 F. infrared reflection 
 G. infrared absorption 
 H. inducible or permanent magnetic properties 
 I. color following pretreatment. 
 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2  wherein the first and second seed groups are visually indistinct. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the additive comprises a fluorescent dye having an activation and emission wavelength. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4  wherein the process to create distinctiveness is exposing the part of the combination seed group to a light emitting the activation wavelength. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5  wherein the first and second seed groups are visually indistinct before passing the seed group through a process to create distinctiveness. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6  wherein the first and second seed groups are sorted based on optical distinctiveness. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7  wherein the first and second seed applications comprise a fungicide. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 7  wherein the first and second seed applications comprise a pesticide. 
     
     
         10 . (canceled) 
     
     
         11 . (canceled) 
     
     
         12 . (canceled) 
     
     
         13 . (canceled) 
     
     
         14 . (canceled) 
     
     
         15 . A seed population comprising:
 a first seed group having an additive having an activatable color; and   a second seed group;   wherein the first and second groups are visually indistinct.   
     
     
         16 . The seed population of  claim 15  wherein the first and second seed groups are optically distinct when exposed to a process activating the activatable color of the additive. 
     
     
         17 . The seed population of  claim 16  wherein the first and second seed groups are combined in a known ratio. 
     
     
         18 . The seed population of  claim 17  wherein the additive comprises a fluorescent additive having an activation and an emission wavelength. 
     
     
         19 . The seed population of  claim 18  wherein the process activating the activatable color comprises exposing the seed group to a light source corresponding to the activation wavelength of the fluorescent additive. 
     
     
         20 . The seed population of  claim 19  wherein the fluorescent additive is a protein created by a genetic marker in the first group. 
     
     
         21 . The seed population of  claim 19  wherein the fluorescent additive is a fluorescent dye. 
     
     
         22 . The seed population of  claim 19  wherein the first and second seed groups are genetically identical and the first seed group comprises a first pesticidal seed treatment and the second seed group comprises a second pesticidal seed treatment. 
     
     
         23 . The seed group of  claim 19  wherein one of the first and second seed groups comprises a genetically engineered trait.