Abstract: Novel maize plants having a nuclear genome of maize chromosomes with no Tripsacum chromosomes, but with extranuclear genes or cytoplasmic DNA from Tripsacum floridanum are disclosed. These novel maize plants are fertile and may be readily crossed as the female parent with any maize as the male line, and the progeny thereof will retain the Tripsacum extranuclear genes. The maize plants may be used to convey the Tripsacum extranuclear genes into any maize breeding or inbred line, or to produce novel maize hybrids or inbred lines possessing the Tripsacum extranuclear genes. Maize plants having the Tripsacum extranuclear genes will exhibit modified traits which are controlled by the extranuclear genes or influenced by the interaction of the extranuclear genes with the maize nuclear genome, including one or more of increased disease and insect resistance, particularly increased resistance to the corn rootworm complex, and the production of aerenchyma in the roots.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for conditioning and/or classifying seed is disclosed. The apparatus includes a seed conditioning/classification unit having an acceleration conduit and a convexly curved Coanda surface provided adjacent to the conduit at its outlet, curving upwardly therefrom. As the crude particulate feed stream is discharged from the outlet, it is conditioned by the Coanda effect into a first outlet stream of entraining gas and lightweight extraneous materials, which is channeled approximately along or parallel to the Coanda surface, and a second stream of relatively heavier materials such as seeds, which is expelled approximately parallel to the central axis of the conduit at the outlet. Seeds which are expelled from the conduit are also classified by momentum discrimination.