Abstract: An apparatus configured for dispensing grains of pollen may include a pollen storage container, a flow source configured to dispense the grains of pollen from the pollen storage container, and a control mechanism configured to selectively activate the flow source. The apparatus may or may not apply an electrical charge to the grains of pollen. Related methods may include steps of collecting pollen, inserting the pollen into a pollen storage container, connecting the pollen storage container to a dispensing device such as the above-described apparatus, and dispensing the pollen from the pollen storage container with the dispensing device. Known grains of pollen may be dispensed to create predetermined gamete crosses with known plants. Further, an outlet of a fan which dispenses the pollen from the pollen storage container or other parts of the dispensing device may be cleaned when swapping the pollen storage container to prevent cross-contamination.

Abstract: A method for sorting pollen containing genetic elements of interest may include associating a genetic marker with seeds defining the genetic elements of interest, growing plants from the seeds, collecting pollen from the seeds, evaluating the pollen for presence of the genetic markers, and sorting the pollen based on presence or absence of the genetic markers. A method of determining viability of pollen may evaluate the optical density of grains of pollen and compare the optical density to an optical density threshold. Further, a method for identifying plants defining a genetic marker with seeds defining the genetic element of interest, growing plants from the seeds, and evaluating the plants for presence of the genetic marker.

Abstract: A seed handling tool includes a handle connected to a working body. The working body includes a working surface, which further includes a plurality of seed retention points. A seed retention source is provided to allow the seed handling tool to pick up and retain seeds at the seed retention points. In some embodiments, the seeds may also be released from the seed retention points. A method for retaining a plurality of seeds by the seed handling tool includes moving the seed handling tool to a position where the working surface is adjacent to a plurality of seeds, and picking up and retaining seeds at a plurality of seed retention points fixed at the working surface. In some embodiments, the method may also include releasing the plurality of seeds from the seed retention points.