Patent ID: 8863436

Claim:
A high throughput system for automated bulk sampling and indexing of a batch of seed, comprising: an ablation subsystem having a controlled cutting path; a seed handling subsystem comprising: a) a staging system comprising a plurality of seed staging positions for staging a batch of seed in a sequential manner; b) a carrier system for simultaneously presenting said seed staging positions at the cutting path for removing a sample portion from each seed in the batch; and c) an automated seed retention and release system for switching a plurality of seed staging positions to: i) a seed retention mode; or ii) a seed release mode, wherein the carrier system cycles a plurality of seed staging positions through at least one or more sequence of events comprising: a) a seed staging event; b) a seed sample cutting event; or c) a sampled seed release event; and wherein the plurality of seed staging positions comprise one or more subset of seed staging positions, wherein one subset is operating in the seed retention mode while another subset is operating in the seed release mode.