Abstract: What is described is a nutritive media for a manufactured seed comprising a plant non-metabolizable sugar and a manufactured seed comprising plant non-metabolizable sugar in its nutritive medium

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.

Abstract: The present disclosure includes a manufactured seed comprising a seed shell and a restraint disposed within the seed shell. The seed shell is a structure having an open end and a closed end. A primary end seal is disposed on the open end of the seed shell. A secondary end seal is arranged on the primary end seal, the secondary end seal being coated, at least partially, with a paraffin oil.

Abstract: In one aspect, a method is provided for producing an improved nutritive medium comprising an adsorbent material for culturing plant embryos.

Abstract: The present disclosure includes a shoot restraint for use with manufactured seeds comprising. In some embodiments, the shoot restraint includes a substantially porous material having a top surface and a bottom surface. The substantially porous material is formed to define a substantially cylindrical upper portion having an upper diameter; and a substantially cylindrical lower portion having a lower diameter. The upper diameter is larger than the lower diameter. A parabolic cavity extends from the top surface to the bottom surface through the upper portion and at least partially into the lower portion.

Abstract: A manufactured seed is provided. The manufactured seed includes a seed shell housing a nutritive media and a restraint disposed within the seed shell. The restraint includes a cavity. The manufactured seed also includes an embryo disposed within the cavity and a fill material disposed within the cavity. The manufactured further includes a seal disposed on the seed shell to seal the embryo within the seed shell.

Abstract: The present disclosure includes a manufactured seed comprising a seed shell and a restraint disposed within the seed shell. The seed shell is a structure having an open end and a closed end. The restraint comprises a parabolic cavity. A seal assembly is disposed on the open end of the seed shell in a configuration effective to seal the seed shell.

Abstract: A system is provided for improved steam generation. The system includes at least two steam systems, wherein a wet steam output from a first steam system is passed through a first separator. The first separator configured to separate dry steam from condensate, and a piping connection is configured to blend the condensate with a boiler feed water stream at the inlet of a second steam system.

Abstract: A steam system is provided that includes a steam generator including boiler tubes that are modified to form a number of intermediate take-offs for removing water and steam from the boiler tubes. A number of intermediate separators are provided to separate the water and steam at each of the intermediate take-offs. Intermediate couplings are used to inject the water back into the boiler tubes downstream of each of the plurality of intermediate take-offs.

Abstract: Manufactured seeds are disclosed that comprise a unit of totipotent plant tissue and a nutritive medium. The nutritive medium can contain a number of different components selected from the following: a gel solute, charcoal, a carbon source, urea, KNO3, NH4NO3, CuCl2, CuSO4, KI, KH2PO4, CaCl2, MgSO4, Na2EDTA, FeSO4, ferric citrate, MnSO4, MnCl2, H3BO3, ZnSO4, CoCl2, Na2MoO4, (NH4)2MoO4, thiamine, riboflavin, pyridoxine, HCl, Ca-pantothenate, nicotinic acid, biotin, folic acid, and myo-inositol. The nutritive medium can also include any of various protein amino acids, any of various polyamines, any of various oxygen-absorbing compounds, any of various non-protein amino acids, and/or a smoke suspension.

Abstract: The invention provides methods for improving germination of manufactured seeds. The manufactured seed of the invention comprises a seed coat, nutritive media comprising an adsorbent material in a concentration from about 30 g/L to about 100 g/L, and a shoot restraint comprising a cavity. The manufactured seed further comprises a plant embryo. The adsorbent material may be nutrient-treated or non-nutrient-treated charcoal. The manufactured seed may optionally contain an adsorbent material in the cavity of the shoot restraint.

Abstract: The present disclosure includes a shoot restraint for use with manufactured seeds comprising. In some embodiments, the shoot restraint includes a substantially porous material having a top surface and a bottom surface. The substantially porous material is formed to define a substantially cylindrical upper portion having an upper diameter; and a substantially cylindrical lower portion having a lower diameter. The upper diameter is larger than the lower diameter. A parabolic cavity extends from the top surface to the bottom surface through the upper portion and at least partially into the lower portion.

Abstract: The present disclosure includes manufactured seed comprising: a seed shell comprising a structure having an open end and a closed end; a restraint disposed within the seed shell, the restraint comprising a cavity; and a seal assembly disposed on the open end of the seed shell in a configuration effective to seal the seed shell. An embryo disposed within the seed shell in a substantially parallel or a substantially skew configuration with respect to a plane in which the sealing assembly is arranged.

Abstract: The present disclosure includes a manufactured seed comprising a seed shell and a restraint disposed within the seed shell. The restraint has a parabolic cavity. The seed shell is a structure having an open end and a closed end. A primary end seal is disposed on the open end of the seed shell. A secondary end seal is arranged on the primary end seal, the secondary end seal having one or more dimples. Each of the one or more dimples each have a substantially parabolic shape.

Abstract: The present disclosure includes a manufactured seed comprising a seed shell and a restraint disposed within the seed shell. The seed shell is a structure having an open end and a closed end. A primary end seal is disposed on the open end of the seed shell. A secondary end seal is arranged on the primary end seal, the secondary end seal having one or more dimples. Each of the one or more dimples each have a substantially parabolic shape.

Abstract: The present disclosure includes a manufactured seed comprising a seed shell and a restraint disposed within the seed shell. The seed shell is a structure having an open end and a closed end. The restraint comprises a parabolic cavity. A seal assembly is disposed on the open end of the seed shell in a configuration effective to seal the seed shell.

Abstract: The present disclosure includes a manufactured seed comprising a seed shell and a restraint disposed within the seed shell. The seed shell is a structure having an open end and a closed end. A primary end seal is disposed on the open end of the seed shell. A secondary end seal is arranged on the primary end seal, the secondary end seal being coated, at least partially, with a paraffin oil.

Abstract: In one aspect, an improved nutritive media is provided that comprises from 10 g/L to 100 g/L of an adsorbent material, from 350 mg/L to 450 mg/L of NH4NO3, from 2000 mg/L to 3000 mg/L of KH2PO4, from 5 mg/L to 25 mg/L of FeSO4, from 600 mg/L to 1500 mg/L of MgSO4; and at least one component selected from the group consisting of: from 150 mg/L to 300 mg/L of Myo-inositol, from 1.5 mg/L to 3.0 mg/L of Thiamine-HCl, from 0.30 mg/L to 0.80 mg/L of Pyridoxine-HCl, from 1.5 mg/L to 3.0 mg/L of Nicotinic acid, from 0.15 mg/L to 0.30 mg/L of Riboflavin, from 0.75 mg/L to 2.0 mg/L of Ca-pantothenate, from 0.01 mg/L to 0.03 mg/L of Biotin and from 0.15 mg/L to 0.30 mg/L of Folic Acid. In another aspect, a manufactured seed is provided comprising the improved nutritive media.

Abstract: A method for selecting conifer trees is disclosed. This method relates to the early measurement of tree characteristics for selecting trees most likely to exhibit certain traits as they mature. This method can be used for implementing silvicultural treatments, thinning or further breeding.

Abstract: The invention provides methods for improving germination of manufactured seeds. The manufactured seed of the invention comprises a seed coat, nutritive media comprising an adsorbent material in a concentration from about 30 g/L to about 100 g/L, and a shoot restraint comprising a cavity. The manufactured seed further comprises a plant embryo. The adsorbent material may be nutrient-treated or non-nutrient-treated charcoal. The manufactured seed may optionally contain an adsorbent material in the cavity of the shoot restraint.