WO2024249367A1

WO2024249367A1 - Assemblies for use in pollinating plants, and related methods

Info

Publication number: WO2024249367A1
Application number: PCT/US2024/031150
Authority: WO
Inventors: Stephanie Marie DEMBOWSKI; Kelly Marie MIDTHUN-SCHMIDT; Allison PALLACK; Frederico PEREIRA RIBEIRO; Andrew David THIELEN; Laura WHITTLE
Original assignee: Monsanto Technology LLC
Current assignee: Monsanto Technology LLC
Priority date: 2023-05-26
Filing date: 2024-05-24
Publication date: 2024-12-05
Anticipated expiration: 2025-11-26

Abstract

A pollination assembly is provided for use in pollinating plants. In one example, the pollination assembly includes a first sleeve configured to couple to a male portion of a plant, a second sleeve configured to couple to a female portion of the plant, and a cover disposed over at least part of the first sleeve and at least part of the second sleeve. The first sleeve and the second sleeve define a pathway configured to direct pollen from the male portion of the plant to the female portion of the plant. And, the first sleeve is configured to move relative to the second sleeve.

Description

ASSEMBLIES FOR USE IN POLLINATING PLANTS, AND RELATED METHODS

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] This application claims the benefit of, and priority to, U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/469,355, filed on May 26, 2023. The entire disclosure of the abovereferenced application is incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD

[0002] The present disclosure generally relates to pollination assemblies for use in pollinating plants, and related methods (e.g., use of the pollination assemblies in connection with auto self-pollinating of the plants, auto cross-pollinating of the plants, etc.).

BACKGROUND

[0003] This section provides background information related to the present disclosure which is not necessarily prior art.

[0004] It is known for seeds to be grown by growers in fields for commercial purposes, whereby the resulting plants, or parts thereof, are sold by the growers. In connection therewith, plant breeders are known to breed and/or advance different varieties of plants, through various techniques, including self-pollination or cross-pollination of the plants, whereby performance of the plants is enhanced in later generations of the plants, as to, for example, drought tolerance, disease resistance, yield, etc. The plants are then distributed, as seeds, for example, to growers for planting in the fields, whereby the growers reap the benefit of the enhancements.

SUMMARY

[0005] This section provides a general summary of the disclosure, and is not a comprehensive disclosure of its full scope or all of its features.

[0006] Example embodiments of the present disclosure generally relate to pollination assemblies for use in pollinating plants. In one example embodiment, such a pollination assembly generally includes a first sleeve configured to couple to a male portion of a plant; a second sleeve configured to couple to a female portion of the plant; and a cover disposed over at least part of the first sleeve and at least part of the second sleeve. The first sleeve and the second sleeve define a pathway configured to direct pollen from the male portion of the plant to the female portion of the plant, and the first sleeve is configured to move relative to the second sleeve.

[0007] Example embodiments of the present disclosure also generally relate to methods of pollinating plants. In one example embodiment, such a method generally includes coupling a first sleeve of a pollination assembly to a male portion of a plant, so that the male portion of the plant is disposed within an upper portion of the first sleeve; couple a second sleeve of the pollination assembly to a female portion of the plant, so that the female portion of the plant is disposed within a lower portion of the second sleeve; moving the first sleeve of the pollination assembly relative to the second sleeve of the pollination assembly as the plant grows; and directing pollen from the male portion of the plant to the female portion of the plant, through the first sleeve and through the second sleeve.

[0008] In another example embodiment, such a method generally includes coupling a first sleeve of a pollination assembly to a male plant portion, so that the male plant portion is disposed within an upper portion of the first sleeve; coupling a second sleeve of the pollination assembly to a female plant portion, so that the female plant portion is disposed within a lower portion of the second sleeve; moving the first sleeve of the pollination assembly relative to the second sleeve of the pollination assembly as the male plant portion grows; and directing pollen from the male plant portion to the female plant portion, through the first sleeve and through the second sleeve. In connection therewith, the male plant portion and the female plant portion may be on the same plant (e.g., to allow or facilitate for auto self-pollination, etc.), or they may be on separate plants (e.g., to allow or facilitate for auto cross-pollination, etc.).

[0009] Further areas of applicability will become apparent from the description provided herein. The description and specific examples in this summary are intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure. DRAWINGS

[0010] The drawings described herein arc for illustrative purposes only of selected embodiments and not all possible implementations, and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.

[0011] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an example embodiment of a pollination assembly of the present disclosure;

[0012] FIG. 2 is the perspective view of the pollination assembly of FIG. 1, with a cover of the pollination assembly removed;

[0013] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the pollination assembly of FIG. 1 shown coupled to (e.g., installed to, etc.) a corn plant;

[0014] FIG. 4 is an enlarged, fragmentary perspective view a first sleeve of the pollination assembly of FIG. 1 shown coupled to the corn plant ,with tassels of the com plant disposed within the first sleeve;

[0015] FIG. 5 is an enlarged, fragmentary perspective view a second sleeve of the pollination assembly of FIG. 1 shown coupled to the corn plant, with an ear of the com plant disposed within the second sleeve;

[0016] FIG. 6 is another perspective view of the pollination assembly of FIG. 1 shown coupled to the corn plant;

[0017] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of another example embodiment of a pollination assembly of the present disclosure, shown coupled to a corn plant;

[0018] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of still another example embodiment of a pollination assembly of the present disclosure;

[0019] FIG. 9 is a perspective view of another example embodiment of a pollination assembly of the present disclosure, shown coupled to two different com plants;

[0020] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of another example embodiment of a pollination assembly of the present disclosure, shown coupled to multiple different corn plants; and

[0021] FIGS. 11-12 illustrate results of an example comparison of pollination using pollination assemblies of the present disclosure and conventional procedures.

[0022] Corresponding reference numerals indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views of the drawings. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0023] Example embodiments will now be described more fully with reference to the accompanying drawings. The description and specific examples included herein are intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.

[0024] In pollination of plants, pollen (e.g., pollen grains, etc.) is transferred from male anthers of plants (e.g., of flowers of the plants, etc.) (broadly, male portions of the plants) to female stigmas of the same or different plants (e.g., of flowers of the plants, etc.) (broadly, female portions of the plants). Self-pollination involves the transfer of pollen from male anthers of plants to female stigmas of the same plants. And, cross-pollination involves the transfer of pollen from male anthers of plants to female stigmas of different plants (e.g., plants from a different family, line, etc.). In this way, in either case, the plants are able to create offspring in the form of seeds, which contain genetic information to produce new plants.

[0025] In connection therewith, in plant advancement, self-pollination and crosspollination techniques may be utilized to enhance plants in one or more desired manners. In doing so, pollen may be collected from desired plants (e.g., from male anthers of the plants, etc.), at a specific time corresponding to production and viability of the pollen, and then applied to and/or exposed to the same plants or different plants (e.g., to female stigmas of the same plants or different plants, etc.). Following such pollination, the pollinated plants are able to create offspring in the form of seeds, which contain desired genetic information to produce new plants. In various breeding environments, the pollen may be exposed to a variety of environmental conditions, such as moisture, temperature, etc., that impact the viability of the pollen. In addition, the plants in the breeding environments may be exposed to undesired (or unintended) pollen from other plants, which may adversely (or undesirably or unintendedly) affect the genetic information included in the resulting seeds, etc.

[0026] Uniquely, the pollination assemblies of the present disclosure may be used to provide a generally direct path (or pathway) for pollen to flow from male anthers of plants (broadly, male portions of the plants) to female stigmas of the same plants (or different plants) (broadly, female portions of the plants). In this way, the pollen is generally automatically directed (e.g., directed without human intervention, etc.) from the male anthers to the female stigmas, when the pollen is produced (and, thus, at times when the pollen is most viable) (e.g., without having to manually collect the pollen from the male anthers at particular times and then separately deliver the collected pollen to the female stigmas as conventionally done, etc.). In addition, the pollination assemblies generally protect (or shield, etc.) the pollen produced by the male anthers from adverse environmental conditions that may adversely affect viability of the pollen. Further, the pollination assemblies also generally inhibit the female stigmas from receiving (e.g., being pollinated by, etc.) unintended pollen, for example, from the same or different plants. Thus, the pollination assemblies of the present disclosure provide for efficient and effective pollinating of plants in a generally automated manner (e.g., as part of plant advancement in a plant breeding program, etc.).

[0027] FIGS. 1-6 illustrate an example embodiment of a pollination assembly 100 including one or more aspects of the present disclosure. The pollination assembly 100 is configured to couple to a plant 102 and direct pollen from male anthers of the plant 102 to female stigmas of the plant 102. In this way, the pollination assembly 100 provides for generally continuous collection of the pollen from the male anthers of the plant 102, to help ensure capture and delivery of viable pollen along a generally closed (or enclosed) pollination path (or pathway) to the female stigmas without user interaction. As such, pollination of the plant 102 may take place in a generally automated and generally optimal manner, at a time when the pollen is available and viable (or, for example, more viable, or most viable, etc.), over a given pollination window for the plant 102.

[0028] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the pollination assembly 100 generally includes a first sleeve 104, a second sleeve 106 moveably coupled to the first sleeve 104, and a cover 108 disposed over part of the first sleeve 104 and over part of the second sleeve 106. In particular, an upper portion 110 of the first sleeve 104 is generally closed at its top, and a lower portion 112 of the first sleeve 104 is generally open (at an end of the lower portion 112) and is positioned generally within an open, upper portion 114 of the second sleeve 106. In this configuration, the first sleeve 104 is slidably positioned within the second sleeve 106 and is configured to move relative to the second sleeve 106 (e.g., the lower portion 112 of the first sleeve 104 is configured to slide within the upper portion 114 of the second sleeve 106, the first sleeve 104 is extendable from the second sleeve 106, etc.). A lower portion 116 of the second sleeve 106 is then generally open (at an end of the lower portion 116), for use in positioned the lower portion 116 of the second sleeve 106 over a female portion of the plant 102 as described in more detail hereinafter. [0029] The cover 108 of the pollination assembly 100 is disposed over the first and second sleeves 104, 106 generally where the first sleeve 104 couples to the second sleeve 106 (e.g., generally where the lower portion 112 of the first sleeve 104 is positioned within the upper portion 114 of the second sleeve 106, etc.). As such, the cover 108 provides an extension (e.g., an extended sleeve, etc.) connecting the first sleeve 104 to the second sleeve 106, for example, to inhibit external pollen from entering the generally closed pollination path defined by the first and second sleeves 104, 106 (e.g., to inhibit external pollen from entering the open end of the upper portion 114 of the second sleeve 106 where the lower portion 112 of the first sleeve 104 is received, etc.). In the illustrated embodiment, the cover 108 is attached to the first sleeve 104 (e.g., via adhesive, tape, mechanical fasteners, etc.), but is not attached to the second sleeve 106. The cover 108 is therefore moveable with the first sleeve 104 relative to the second sleeve 106 (e.g., the cover 108 is slidable over the upper portion 114 of the second sleeve 106, etc.).

[0030] With additional reference to FIG. 3, the pollination assembly 100 is shown coupled to the plant 102. In particular, the upper portion 110 of the first sleeve 104 is coupled to the male portion of the plant 102 (broadly, the upper portion 110 of the first sleeve 104 is coupled to a first part of the plant 102), and the lower portion 116 of the second sleeve 106 is coupled to the female portion of the plant 102 (broadly, the lower portion 116 of the second sleeve 106 is coupled to a second part of the plant 102). In this embodiment, then, no part of the first or second sleeves 104, 106 between the upper portion 110 of the first sleeve 104 and lower portion 116 of the second sleeve 106 may be coupled to the plant 102 or receives a further part of the plant 102 therein (however, this is not required in all embodiments).

[0031] In the illustrated embodiment, the plant 102 is a corn plant. As such, the male portion of the plant 102 includes tassels 118 located toward an upper part of the plant 102. The female portion of the plant 102 includes silks located on an ear 120 of the com plant 102. And, in connection with pollination of the silks, kernels (broadly, seeds) are formed/grown on the car 120 of the com plant 102. It should be appreciated, though, that the pollination assembly 100 may be coupled to other types of plants in other embodiments.

[0032] As shown in FIG. 3, the first sleeve 104 is configured to couple to (e.g., couple over, position over, etc.) the pollen producing tassels 118 of the corn plant 102. In particular, the tassels 118 are received within the closed upper portion 110 of the first sleeve 104. And, the second sleeve 106 is configured to couple to (e.g., couple over, position over, etc.) the pollen receiving silks of the ear 120 of the com plant 102. In particular, the ear 120 is received within the lower portion 116 of the second sleeve 106 (c.g., through the open bottom of the lower portion 116, etc.). In this way, the pollination assembly 100 provides a direct, generally closed path (or pathway) for pollen released from the tassels 118 to move (e.g., flow, fall, drop, etc. under force of gravity; etc.) to the silks of the ear 120 of the corn plant 102 (e.g., through the first sleeve 104 and through the second sleeve 106 (and through the cover 108); etc.), for effecting pollination of the com plant 102. An interior of the first sleeve 104 and the second sleeve 106 generally define the pathway configured to direct the pollen from the tassels 118 of the corn plant 102 to the silks of the ear 120 of the corn plant 102 (e.g., without contamination, influence, etc. from external environmental factors (e.g., moisture, other pollen, etc.), etc.).

[0033] In the illustrated embodiment, the upper portion 110 of the first sleeve 104 includes a slot 122 (or cutout) configured to receive the tassels 118 of the corn plant 102 through the slot 122 and into the interior of the first sleeve 104. The slot 122 may then be closed (e.g., via tape, mechanical fasteners, combinations thereof, etc.) so as to capture, close, generally seal, etc. the tassels 118 of the com plant 102 within the interior of the upper portion 110 of the first sleeve 104 (and thereby help provide the generally closed pollination pathway of the pollination assembly 100). A portion of a stalk 128 of the corn plant 102 below the tassels 118 (and above the ear 120) is positioned (or remains) generally outside of the first sleeve 104. In this way, only the tassels 118 of the corn plant 102 are positioned within the first sleeve 104 of the assembly, for example, thereby inhibiting (e.g., minimizing, etc.) impact of the pollination assembly 100, when coupled to the corn plant 102, on growth, health, etc. of the com plant 102 (e.g., the pollination assembly 100, when coupled to the corn plant 102, may not adversely affect the com plant 102; etc.). While the slot 122 is oriented generally horizontally in the illustrated embodiment, it should be appreciated that the slot may be oriented generally vertically (or otherwise) in other embodiments.

[0034] FIG. 4 illustrates an example manner of closing the slot 122 of the upper portion 110 of the first sleeve 104, when the tassels 118 of the corn plant 102 are received through the slot 122 and within the interior of the first sleeve 104. In this example, the slot 122 is initially closed with tape 124, and then a mechanical clamp 126 is coupled to the upper portion 110 of the first sleeve 104 over the tape 124. In this way, the slot 122 is generally closed, sealed, etc. around the tassels 1 18, etc. (thereby retaining pollen produced by the tassels 1 18 within the interior of the first sleeve 104 and inhibiting the pollen from escaping through the slot 122, etc.).

[0035] As indicated above, the lower portion 116 of the second sleeve 106 is generally open (e.g., includes an open end, etc.), and is configured to be positioned over the ear 120 of the com plant 102 (and silks on the ear 120). In this way, the ear 120 of the com plant 102 is positioned within the interior of the second sleeve 106 (through the open end of the lower portion 116). The lower portion 116 of the second sleeve 106 may then be trimmed (or cut), as needed (to accommodate a length of the second sleeve 106 to a position of the ear’ 120, for example, depending on a size of the corn plant 102 (and a distance between the tassels 118 and the ear 120), etc.), and closed (e.g., via tape, mechanical fasteners, combinations thereof, etc.) so as to capture, close, generally seal, etc. the ear 120 of the corn plant 102 within the lower portion 116 of the second sleeve 106 (and thereby help provide the generally closed pollination pathway of the pollination assembly 100). A portion of the stalk 128 of the com plant 102 generally above the ear 120 is positioned (or remains) generally outside of the second sleeve 106. In this way, only the ear 120 of the com plant 102 is positioned within the second sleeve 106 of the pollination assembly 100, for example, thereby inhibiting (e.g., minimizing, etc.) impact of the pollination assembly 100, when coupled to the corn plant 102, on growth, health, etc. of the corn plant 102 (e.g., the pollination assembly 100, when coupled to the corn plant 102, may not adversely affect the com plant 102; etc.).

[0036] FIG. 5 illustrates an example manner of closing the lower portion 116 of the second sleeve 106, when the ear 120 of the corn plant 102 is received within the interior of the second sleeve 106. In this example, the lower portion 116 of the second sleeve 106 is folded generally about the stalk 128 of the corn plant 102 and tape 130 may then be applied about the lower portion 116 of the second sleeve 106 (and about the stalk 128) (see, also, FIG. 6). A mechanical clamp 132 is coupled to the lower portion 116 of the second sleeve 106. In this way, the open end of the lower potion 116 of the second sleeve 106 is generally closed, sealed, etc. around the ear 120, etc. (thereby retaining pollen transferred from the tassels 118 within the interior of the second sleeve 106 for receipt by the silks of the ear 120 and inhibiting the pollen from escaping through the open end of the lower portion 116 of the second sleeve 106, etc.).

[0037] The pollination assembly 100 may remain coupled on the com plant 102 for a desired period of time (e.g., over a given pollination window for the corn plant 102, etc.) (e.g., for multiple days (e.g., about five days, about ten days, about fifteen days, etc.), etc.) to help facilitate transfer of viable pollen from the tassels 118 to the silks of the car 120. As such, as discussed above, the first sleeve 104 is configured to move relative to the second sleeve 106 to accommodate movement, growth, etc. of the corn plant 102 while the pollination assembly 100 is coupled thereto. For instance, as the corn plant 102 grows taller, the tassels 118 will move generally vertically. And, the first sleeve 104 (coupled to the com plant 102 over the tassels 118) will move generally vertically with the corn plant 102. To accommodate this movement, the lower portion 112 of the first sleeve 104 moves (e.g., slides, etc.) within the upper portion 114 of the second sleeve 106, and the cover 108, which is attached to the first sleeve 104 in this example, moves (e.g., slides, etc.) with the first sleeve 104 generally over the upper portion 114 of the second sleeve 106. The illustrated pollination assembly 100 may therefore be understood to be a telescoping pollination assembly 100 (or may be understood to have a telescoping construction, etc.) (e.g., which may help inhibit the corn plant 102 from growing out of the pollination assembly 100, etc.). In this way, as the corn plant 102 grows, the first sleeve 104, the second sleeve 106, and the cover 108 maintain the generally closed pollination pathway of the pollination assembly 100 (for pollen to move from the tassels 118 of the corn plant 102 to the silks of the ear 120, etc.). And, the cover 108 further generally inhibits external pollen from entering the closed pollination pathway at the open end of the upper portion 114 of the second sleeve 106.

[0038] In the illustrated embodiment, the first sleeve 104, the second sleeve 106, and the cover 108 each include paper bags. The paper bags are generally breathable (e.g., as compared to plastic materials, etc.) to help inhibit the parts of the com plant 102 disposed within the pollination assembly 100 from overheating and/or to help inhibit moisture from forming within the pollination assembly 100 (which may damage the corn plant 102, etc.). The paper bags are also generally lightweight, to thereby further help inhibit (e.g., minimize, etc.) impact of the pollination assembly 100 on the com plant 102, when coupled to the com plant 102, and to allow installation of the pollination assembly 100 on generally any size corn plant 102 (including com plants having relatively small sizes). In addition, the bags may be treated or coated to provide weather resistance (e.g., may include a weather resistance coating that provides moisture resistance, UV resistance, combinations thereof, etc.). [0039] That said, it should be appreciated that the first sleeve 104, the second sleeve 106, and/or the cover 108 may include or may be made from other materials in other embodiments e.g., plastic materials, nylon materials, metal mesh materials, other woven textiles, etc.). In general, though, the first sleeve 104, the second sleeve 106, and/or the cover 108 will be generally flexible (e.g., not rigid, not comprising rigid tubes or structures, not constructed from rigid materials, etc.) to accommodate growth and movement of the corn plant 102 and to still further help inhibit (e.g., minimize, etc.) impact of the pollination assembly 100 on the corn plant 102, when coupled to the corn plant 102. In some example embodiments, the one or more of the first sleeve 104, the second sleeve 106, and/or the cover 108 may include and/or may be made from different material than other ones of the first sleeve 104, the second sleeve 106, and/or the cover 108.

[0040] FIG. 7 illustrates another example embodiment of a pollination assembly 200 including one or more aspects of the present disclosure. The pollination assembly of this embodiment is substantially similar to the pollination assembly 100 described above and illustrated in FIGS. 1-6. And, the description provided above for the pollination assembly 100 applies to the pollination assembly 200 of this embodiment.

[0041] The pollination assembly 200 is shown coupled to a com plant 202. And, as with the pollination assembly 100 described above, the pollination assembly 200 of this embodiment includes a first sleeve 204, a second sleeve 206 moveably coupled to the first sleeve 204, and a cover 208 disposed over part of the first sleeve 204 and over part of the second sleeve 206. In this embodiment, an upper portion 210 of the first sleeve 204 includes a window 240, for example, to allow for airflow into and/or out of the pollination assembly 200 (e.g., to allow airflow to tassels of the corn plant 202 located within the first sleeve 204, etc.) and to allow for viewing the tassels of the com plant 202. A mesh cover 242, then, is provided over the window 240 to help retain pollen from the tassels within the first sleeve 204 (and inhibit the pollen from leaving or escaping the pollination assembly 200).

[0042] FIG. 8 illustrates another example embodiment of a pollination assembly 300 including one or more aspects of the present disclosure. The pollination assembly 300 of this embodiment is substantially similar to the pollination assembly 100 described above and illustrated in FIGS. 1-6. And, the description provided above for the pollination assembly 100 applies to the pollination assembly 300 of this embodiment. [0043] For instance, as with the pollination assembly 100 described above, the pollination assembly 300 of this embodiment includes a first sleeve 304, a second sleeve 306 moveably coupled to the first sleeve 304, and a cover 308 disposed over pail of the first sleeve 304 and over part of the second sleeve 306. In this embodiment, the pollination assembly 300 further includes a collection receptacle 350 disposed adjacent the second sleeve 306 and a weather resistance coating 352 applied to the first sleeve 304, the second sleeve 306, and the cover 308.

[0044] The collection receptacle 350 is removably coupled to the second sleeve 306 of the pollination assembly 300 (e.g., via mechanical fasteners, via friction, via hook-and-loop fasteners, via tape, etc.) and is in fluidic communication with a pollination pathway defined by the first sleeve 304 and the second sleeve 306. In this way, as pollen from tassels of a corn plant to which the pollination assembly 300 is coupled is transported to silks on an ear of the corn plant, at least some of the pollen may be collected in the collection receptacle 350. The collection receptacle 350 may then be removed from the pollination assembly 300, as desired, in order to evaluate, analyze, etc. the collected pollen. And, as desired, the collection receptacle 350 (or a different, clean collection receptacle) may be recoupled to the second sleeve 306 to collected additional pollen from the com plant.

[0045] It should be appreciated that the collection receptacle 350 may be coupled to the pollination assembly 300 at any desired location. For instance, the collection receptacle may be coupled to the second sleeve 306 of the pollination assembly 300 at a location adjacent where the second sleeve 306 receives the ear of the com plant. Or, the collection receptacle 350 may be coupled to the second sleeve 306 at a location generally above the ear of the com plant, or the collection receptacle 350 may be coupled to the first sleeve 304 of the pollination assembly 300, for example, adjacent where the first sleeve 304 receives the tassels of the corn plant, etc.

[0046] While the above embodiments are generally described with the pollination assemblies coupled to the same plants (to help facilitate auto self-pollinating of the plants), it should be appreciated that the pollination assemblies may be coupled to one or more different plants within the scope of the present disclosure (to help facilitate auto cross-pollinating of the plants). For instance, in such embodiments, a first sleeve of a pollination assembly may be coupled to a male portion of a first plant and a second sleeve of the pollination assembly may be coupled to a female portion of a second plant (and, in some examples, additionally to a female portion of a third plant, etc.). In this way, the pollination assembly may be used to direct pollen from the male portion of the first plant to the female portion of the second plant.

[0047] With that said, FIG. 9 illustrates an example embodiment of a pollination assembly 400 including one or more aspects of the present disclosure, and where the pollination assembly 400 is coupled to two different plants 402a, 402b (e.g., to facilitate auto crosspollinating of the plants 402a, 402b, etc.). In connection therewith, the pollination assembly 400 of this embodiment is substantially similar to the pollination assembly 100 described above and illustrated in FIGS. 1-6. And, the description provided above for the pollination assembly 100 applies to the pollination assembly 400 of this embodiment.

[0048] In this embodiment, though, the pollination assembly 400 includes a manifold 460 (e.g., a diverter, etc.) disposed generally between a first sleeve 404 (configured to couple to a male portion (e.g., over tassels 418, etc.) of plants 402a) and a second sleeve 406 (configured to couple to a female portion (e.g., over silks of ear 420, etc.) of plant 402b). A cover 408 is then disposed over part of the first sleeve 404 and over pail of the manifold 460 (e.g., generally where the first sleeve 404 couples to the manifold 460, etc.). As such, the cover 408 is moveable with the first sleeve 404 relative to the manifold 460 and second sleeve 406 (e.g., the cover 408 is slidable over the manifold 460, etc.). In this way, the pollination assembly 400 provides a direct, generally closed path (or pathway) for pollen released from the male portion of the plant 402a to move (e.g., flow, fall, drop, etc. under force of gravity; etc.) to the female portion of the plant 402b (e.g., through the first sleeve 404, through the manifold 460, and through the second sleeve 406; etc.), for effecting pollination of the plant 402b. In addition, as with the pollination assembly 100, the pollination assembly 400 also is able to accommodate growth of the plants 402a, 402b while still providing the pollination pathway.

[0049] In addition in this example, the manifold 460 is sloped generally toward the plant 402b. This may help facilitate movement of the pollen released from the male portion of the plant 402a to the male portion of the plant 402b (e.g., via gravity, etc.).

[0050] FIG. 10 illustrates an example embodiment of a pollination assembly 500 including one or more aspects of the present disclosure, and where the pollination assembly 500 is coupled to multiple different plants 502a, 502b, 502c (e.g., to facilitate auto cross -pollinating of the plants 502a, 502b, 502b, etc.). In connection therewith, the pollination assembly 500 of this embodiment is substantially similar to the pollination assembly 100 described above and illustrated in FIGS. 1-6. And, the description provided above for the pollination assembly 100 applies to the pollination assembly 500 of this embodiment.

[0051] In this embodiment, though, the pollination assembly 500 includes a manifold 560 (e.g., a diverter, etc.) disposed generally between a first sleeve 504 (configured to couple to a male portion (e.g., over tassels 518, etc.) of plants 502a) and multiple second sleeves 506 (each configured to couple to a female portion (e.g., over silks of ear 520, etc.) of respective plants 502b, 502c). A cover 508 is then disposed over part of the first sleeve 504 and over part of the manifold 560 (e.g., generally where the first sleeve 504 couples to the manifold 560, etc.). As such, the cover 508 is moveable with the first sleeve 504 relative to the manifold 560 and second sleeves 506 (e.g., the cover 508 is slidable over the manifold 560, etc.). In this way, the pollination assembly 500 provides a direct, generally closed path (or pathway) for pollen released from the male portion of the plant 502a to move (e.g., flow, fall, drop, etc. under force of gravity; etc.) to the female portions of the plants 502b, 502c (e.g., through the first sleeve 504, through the manifold 560, and through the second sleeve 506; etc.), for effecting pollination of the plants 502b, 502c. In addition, as with the pollination assembly 100, the pollination assembly 500 also is able to accommodate growth of the plants 502a, 502b, 502c while still providing the pollination pathway.

[0052] In addition in this example, the manifold 560 is sloped generally toward the plants 502b, 502c. This may help facilitate movement of the pollen released from the male portion of the plant 502a to the male portion of the plants 502b, 502c (e.g., via gravity, etc.).

[0053] It should be appreciated that the pollination assemblies herein may be used in any desired program for enhancing plants, including, for example, doubled haploid programs, hybridization programs, etc.

[0054] In addition, while gravity may be used to facilitate movement of pollen through the example pollination assemblies 100, 200, 300, 400, 500 described above, it should be appreciated that other features may be implemented to facilitate such movement within the scope of the present disclosure. For instance, in some example embodiments, one or more fans or air jets may be disposed adjacent to or within the assemblies and used to direct movement of the pollen therein. In addition, or alternatively, in one or more example embodiments the assemblies may be pressurized to thereby facilitate movement of the pollen therein (e.g., via a vacuum to thereby draw the pollen through the assemblies, etc.). EXAMPLE

[0055] The following example is exemplary in nature. Variations of the following example are possible without departing from the scope of the disclosure.

[0056] In an example, pollination assemblies of the present disclosure (e.g., pollination assembly 100, pollination assembly 200, pollination assembly 300, etc.) were attached to two-hundred four com plants and used to auto self-pollinate the plants (generally in the manner described above). In the same example, two-hundred ten control com plants were pollinated in a conventional manner/procedure. For instance, in the control com plants, pollen was manually collected from tassels of the com plants (using tassel bags) and manually applied to silks of ears of the corn plants (e.g., shoot bags were remove from the ears and the collected pollen was applied to the silks, etc.). The ears were then allowed to mature, and were harvested. And, a number of kernels (broadly, seeds) included on each harvested ear was determined.

[0057] In this example, the corn plants to which the pollination assemblies were attached yielded more kernels per ear than the control com plants. Results of the evaluation are illustrated in FIGS. 11-12. As shown in FIG. 11, in the control corn plants, the ears had a mean kernel (or seed) count of 139 kernels and a median kernel (or seed) count of 115 kernels. In contrast, in the in the corn plants pollinated using the pollination assemblies herein, the ears had a mean kernel (or seed) count of 183 kernels and a median kernel (or seed) count of 203 kernels. As such, as can be seen from this example, the pollination assemblies herein provided improved pollination of the com plants, with increased kernel (or seed production). In connection therewith, FIG. 12 confirms this improvement, illustrating that 75% of the ears of the com plants pollinated using the pollination assemblies herein had more than 100 total kernels (or seeds) per each, while only 52% of the ears of the com plants pollinated in the conventional manner had more than 100 total kernels (or seeds) per ear. Again, in this example, pollination of the plants using the pollination assemblies herein was significantly more effective as compared to pollination of the corn plants using conventional processes.

[0058] In view of the above, the pollination assemblies herein (and the related methods of using the pollination assemblies) provide for improved auto pollination of plants, as compared to conventional processes. For instance, the pollination assemblies remove the need for manually collecting pollen (using tassel bags), repeatedly, during a pollination window of a plant, and remove the need to manually cover and uncover silks (using shoot bags), repeatedly, in order to pollinate the plants. To this point, such reduction of repeated manual touch of the plants may reduce or inhibit disease formation in the plants.

[0059] In addition, the pollination assemblies herein enables pollination generally immediately when pollen is released by the male portions of the plants. As such, there is no need to time pollination (and determine when pollen will be most viable, etc.), as the assemblies may be placed on the plants prior to pollination and left on the plants during the given pollination window of the plants (whereby substantially all pollen formed by the male portions of the plants will be delivered to the female portions of the plants). Further, the pollination assemblies are generally flexible and telescoping in construction, to help inhibit damage to plants as the plants grow and to help inhibit the plants from growing out of the pollination assemblies while the assemblies are coupled to the plants (e.g., during the given pollination windows of the plants, etc.). In this way, substantially all of the pollen produced by the plants during the pollination window may be captured and directed to the female portions of the plants, again, without human intervention. What’s more, the pathways between the female and male portions of the plants are substantially closed such that external pollen is generally blocked from entering the pathways and reaching the female portions (thereby generally inhibiting introduction of unintended characteristics to the plants, etc.).

[0060] Example embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough, and will fully convey the scope to those who are skilled in the art. Numerous specific details are set forth such as examples of specific components, devices, and methods, to provide a thorough understanding of embodiments of the present disclosure. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that specific details need not be employed, that example embodiments may be embodied in many different forms and that neither should be construed to limit the scope of the disclosure. In some example embodiments, well-known processes, well-known device structures, and well- known technologies are not described in detail.

[0061] Specific dimensions, specific materials, and/or specific shapes disclosed herein are example in nature and do not limit the scope of the present disclosure. The disclosure herein of particular values and particular ranges of values for given parameters are not exclusive of other values and ranges of values that may be useful in one or more of the examples disclosed herein. Moreover, it is envisioned that any two particular values for a specific parameter stated herein may define the endpoints of a range of values that may be suitable for the given parameter (i.e., the disclosure of a first value and a second value for a given parameter can be interpreted as disclosing that any value between the first and second values could also be employed for the given parameter). For example, if Parameter X is exemplified herein to have value A and also exemplified to have value Z, it is envisioned that parameter X may have a range of values from about A to about Z. Similarly, it is envisioned that disclosure of two or more ranges of values for a parameter (whether such ranges are nested, overlapping or distinct) subsume all possible combination of ranges for the value that might be claimed using endpoints of the disclosed ranges. For example, if parameter X is exemplified herein to have values in the range of 1 - 10, or 2 - 9, or 3 - 8, it is also envisioned that Parameter X may have other ranges of values including 1 - 9, 1 - 8, 1 - 3, 1 - 2, 2 - 10, 2 - 8, 2 - 3, 3 - 10, and 3 - 9.

[0062] The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular example embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting. As used herein, the singular forms "a,” “an,” and “the” may be intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. The terms “comprises,” “comprising,” “including,” and “having,” are inclusive and therefore specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof. The method steps, processes, and operations described herein are not to be construed as necessarily requiring their performance in the particular order discussed or illustrated, unless specifically identified as an order of performance. It is also to be understood that additional or alternative steps may be employed.

[0063] When a feature is referred to as being “on,” “engaged to,” “connected to,” “coupled to,” “associated with,” “included with,” or “in communication with” another feature, it may be directly on, engaged, connected, coupled, associated, included, or in communication to or with the other feature, or intervening features may be present. As used herein, the term “and/or” and the phrase “at least one of’ includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.

[0064] Although the terms first, second, third, etc. may be used herein to describe various features, these features should not be limited by these terms. These terms may be only used to distinguish one feature from another. Terms such as “first,” “second,” and other numerical terms when used herein do not imply a sequence or order unless clearly indicated by the context. Thus, a first feature discussed herein could be termed a second feature without departing from the teachings of the example embodiments.

[0065] None of the elements recited in the claims are intended to be a means-plus- function element within the meaning of 35 U.S.C. § 112(f) unless an element is expressly recited using the phrase “means for,” or in the case of a method claim using the phrases “operation for” or “step for.”

[0066] The foregoing description of example embodiments has been provided for purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the disclosure. Individual elements or features of a particular embodiment are generally not limited to that particular embodiment, but, where applicable, are interchangeable and can be used in a selected embodiment, even if not specifically shown or described. The same may also be varied in many ways. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the disclosure, and all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the disclosure.

Claims

CLAIMS What is claimed is:

1. A pollination assembly for use in pollinating plants, the pollination assembly comprising: a first sleeve configured to couple to a male portion of a plant; a second sleeve configured to couple to a female portion of the plant; and a cover disposed over at least part of the first sleeve and at least part of the second sleeve; wherein the first sleeve and the second sleeve define a pathway configured to direct pollen from the male portion of the plant to the female portion of the plant; and wherein the first sleeve is configured to move relative to the second sleeve.

2. The pollination assembly of claim 1, wherein a lower portion of the first sleeve is positioned within the cover.

3. The pollination assembly of claim 2, wherein an upper portion of the second sleeve is positioned within the cover.

4. The pollination assembly of claim 3, wherein the lower portion of the first sleeve is positioned within the upper portion of the second sleeve.

5. The pollination assembly of claim 4, wherein an upper portion of the first sleeve is closed.

6. The pollination assembly of claim 1, wherein the first sleeve, the second sleeve, and/or the cover include a weather-resistant coating.

7. The pollination assembly of claim 1, wherein the upper portion of the first sleeve includes a window.

8. The pollination assembly of claim 1 , further comprising a collection receptacle configured to collect at least part of the pollen.

9. The pollination assembly of any one of claims 1-8, wherein the first sleeve, the second sleeve, and/or the cover include a flexible material.

10. The pollination assembly of claim 9, wherein the first sleeve, the second sleeve, and/or the cover include a paper material.

11. The pollination assembly of claim 9, wherein the plant is a com plant, wherein the male portion of the com plant includes tassels of the corn plant, and wherein the female portion of the corn plant includes silks of an ear of the corn plant.

12. A method of pollinating plants, the method comprising: coupling a first sleeve of a pollination assembly to a male plant portion, so that the male plant portion is disposed within an upper portion of the first sleeve; coupling a second sleeve of the pollination assembly to a female plant portion, so that the female plant portion is disposed within a lower portion of the second sleeve; moving the first sleeve of the pollination assembly relative to the second sleeve of the pollination assembly as a plant comprising the male plant portion grows; and directing pollen from the male plant portion to the female plant portion, through the first sleeve and through the second sleeve.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein coupling the first sleeve of the pollination assembly to the male plant portion includes coupling the first sleeve of the pollination assembly to the male plant portion of a plant; and wherein coupling the second sleeve of the pollination assembly to the female plant portion includes coupling the second sleeve of the pollination assembly to the female plant portion of said plant.

14. The method of claim 13, further comprising moving a sleeve coupled over the first sleeve and the second sleeve relative to the second sleeve, as the plant grows.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein moving the sleeve includes moving the sleeve in conjunction with moving the first sleeve, as the plant grows.

16. The method of claim 12, wherein coupling the first sleeve of the pollination assembly to the male plant portion includes coupling the first sleeve of the pollination assembly to the male plant portion of a first plant; and wherein coupling the second sleeve of the pollination assembly to the female plant portion includes coupling the second sleeve of the pollination assembly to the female plant portion of a second plant.

17. The method of any one of claims 12-16, further comprising collecting at least part of the pollen in a collection receptacle of the pollinating assembly.

18. A method of pollinating plants, the method comprising: coupling a first sleeve of a pollination assembly to a male portion of a plant, so that the male portion of the plant is disposed within an upper portion of the first sleeve; coupling a second sleeve of the pollination assembly to a female portion of the plant, so that the female portion of the plant is disposed within a lower portion of the second sleeve; moving the first sleeve of the pollination assembly relative to the second sleeve of the pollination assembly as the plant grows; and directing pollen from the male portion of the plant to the female portion of the plant, through the first sleeve and through the second sleeve.

19. A pollination assembly for use in pollinating plants, the pollination assembly comprising: a first sleeve configured to couple to a male plant portion; a second sleeve configured to couple to a female plant portion; and a cover disposed over at least part of the first sleeve; wherein the first sleeve and the second sleeve define a pathway configured to direct pollen from the male plant portion to the female plant portion; and wherein the first sleeve is configured to move relative to the second sleeve.

20. The pollination assembly of claim 19, further comprising a manifold disposed generally between the first sleeve and the second sleeve; wherein the first sleeve, the manifold, and the second sleeve define the pathway configured to direct pollen from the male plant portion to the female plant portion.

21. The pollination assembly of claim 19, wherein the cover is further disposed over at least part of the manifold, and wherein the cover is moveable relative to the manifold.

22. The pollination assembly of any one of claims 19-21, further comprising another second sleeve configured to couple to another female plant portion; wherein the first sleeve, the second sleeve, and the another second sleeve define the pathway configured to direct pollen from the male plant portion to each of the female plant portion and the another female plant portion.