Methods for classification of somatic embryos comprising hyperspectral line imaging

1. A method for classifying plant embryos comprising:

(a) developing a classification model by

(i) acquiring reflectance spectral raw data representative of a known embryo type by obtaining a plurality of line images of a plurality of embryos of the known embryo type, wherein the plurality of line images are taken from a plurality of positions along and substantially perpendicular to a desired axis of ones of the plurality of embryos;

(ii) performing a data analysis by applying one or more classification algorithms to the spectral raw data, the data analysis resulting in development of a classification model for classifying plant embryos by embryo type;

(b) acquiring, by a computer, reflectance spectral raw data of a plant embryo of unknown embryo type by obtaining a plurality of line images of the plant embryo of unknown embryo type, wherein the plurality of line images are taken from a plurality of positions along and substantially perpendicular to a corresponding axis of the plant embryo of unknown embryo type; and

(c) applying the developed classification model to the spectral raw data of the plant embryo of unknown embryo type in order to classify the type of plant embryo of unknown embryo type.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the plant embryo of unknown embryo type is classified based on a quantifiable feature selected from the group consisting of a morphological feature, a zygotic embryo, a somatic genotype, or embryo conversion potential.

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the spectral raw data of the plant embryo of unknown embryo type is obtained from at least 5 positions along the corresponding axis of the embryo of unknown embryo type.

4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the corresponding axis of the plant embryo of unknown embryo type is a longitudinal axis of the plant embryo of unknown embryo type.

5. The method of claim 4 , wherein the plurality of positions consists of the range from position 0.3 to position 0.9 along the longitudinal axis of the plant embryo of unknown embryo type;

wherein the embryo of the plant embryo of unknown embryo type has a root cap and a cotyledon tip; and

wherein the root cap represents position 0 and the cotyledon tip represents position 1.0.

6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the each of the plurality of line images of the plant embryo of unknown embryo type is captured as a single pixel by a two-dimensional image sensor.

7. The method of claim 6 , wherein the two-dimensional image sensor is configured to capture wavelengths between about 900 and 1680 nm.

8. The method of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of line images of the plant embryo of unknown embryo type is output as wavelength-by-position data to at least one of a computer storage device, computer-readable media, or a user interface.

9. The method of claim 1 , wherein the plant embryo of unknown embryo type is from a conifer.

10. A method for classifying a plant embryo of an unknown type based on near infrared spectroscopy imaging comprising:

(a) illuminating an axis of a plant embryo of unknown type;

(b) capturing a plurality of hyperspectral line images from the light reflected off the illuminated plant embryo, wherein the plurality of hyperspectral line images are captured from a plurality of positions along and substantially perpendicular to the axis of the plant embryo of unknown embryo type;

(c) splitting the infrared portion of the captured plurality of hyperspectral line images into component wavelengths from 900 to 1680 nm;

(d) detecting the split line images with a detector array;

(e) outputting the detected images as wavelength-by-position data of the plant embryo of unknown type to at least one of a computer storage device, computer-readable media, or a user interface; and

(f) comparing the wavelength-by-position data of the plant embryo of unknown type to wavelength-by-position data of a reference plant embryo of known type to classify the plant embryo.

11. The method of claim 10 , wherein the illuminated axis is a longitudinal axis of the plant embryo.

12. The method of claim 10 , wherein the plant embryo is from a conifer.

13. The method of claim 10 , wherein the plant embryo type is classified based on a quantifiable feature selected from the group consisting of a morphological feature, a zygotic embryo, a somatic genotype, or embryo conversion potential.