Improved method for obtaining substantially pure hybrid cereal seed and machine for use thereof

摘要

The present invention relates to a method for separating inbred seed from a mixed population of inbred and hybrid seed. The method includes the steps of providing a mixed population of inbred and hybrid seed, and subjecting harvested seed to a device which separates the mixed population separate populations of inbred and hybrid seed. The mixed population of inbred and hybrid seed is generated by inter-planting a population of parent plants within a field, wherein the population contains male and female parents, providing for self-fertilization of the male and cross fertilisation of the female parents, and harvesting the resulting fertilised seed to provide the mixed population. The device which separates the mixed population into separate populations of inbred and hybrid seed separates seeds on the basis of a difference which is detectable via the use of near infrared light.