Corn partitioned pollination device based on flexible circulating carrier

Abstract

The invention relates to the technical field of crop breeding, in particular to a corn zoning pollination device based on a flexible circulating carrier, and aims to solve the technical problems that an existing pollination device does not have a zoning function and is prone to pollen blockage. The device comprises a shell, the shell is of a necking structure, a plurality of funnel cavities are formed in the shell, a flexible conveying assembly is arranged in each funnel cavity, the two ends of each flexible conveying assembly are located at the large opening end and the small opening end of the corresponding funnel cavity respectively, and a power driving assembly used for driving the corresponding flexible conveying assembly to move is arranged on the shell. The pollination device has the beneficial effects that a plurality of independent funnel cavities are arranged in one shell, and each funnel cavity is provided with a set of flexible conveying assembly, so that a plurality of mutually isolated pollination channels are formed. And each pollination channel corresponds to a specific area of the corn ear, so that pollen of different male parents can be independently conveyed and released to a specified filament area, and the problem that refined partitioned pollination cannot be performed in the prior art is thoroughly solved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of plant breeding technology, and in particular to a maize zone pollination device based on a flexible circulating carrier. Background Technology

[0002] Maize is a major food and cash crop in my country, and pollination control is a core element determining breeding quality and efficiency. As a monoecious plant with separate male and female reproductive parts, artificial pollination is essential for achieving specific breeding goals and cultivating superior varieties. With the increasing refinement and diversification of maize breeding technology, many genetic experiments and breeding scenarios require pollination of different paternal lines on different regions of the same maize ear (corresponding to different kernel parts of the ear), i.e., regional pollination. This allows for multi-paternal hybridization of a single ear, obtaining richer genetic variation materials and improving breeding efficiency and quality. In contrast, traditional mixed pollination strategies are limited by phenotypic differences in pollen viability: in the microenvironment of equal-volume mixed pollination, highly viable pollen has a significant competitive advantage in gamete competition, leading to the competitive exclusion of the genotype of the less viable paternal line during fertilization. This not only causes the genotype ratio of the hybrid offspring to deviate from the expected proportion but also significantly reduces the actual number of hybrid combinations obtained, severely restricting breeding efficiency.

[0003] Traditional corn pollination methods still rely on manual collection of pollen, which is then shaken off with a brush or paper bag. This method is not only labor-intensive and inefficient, but also cannot achieve zoned pollination, and pollen is easily spilled and wasted, and easily mixed with other pollen. Other existing pollination devices do not have zoned functions and cannot meet the needs of precision breeding. For example, in the prior art, patent CN109169260A discloses a corn pollination device, including a pollen storage cup, a pollen collection bag, and a pollination cover. One end of the pollen storage cup is set as a first opening, and the pollination cover is closed at the first opening of the pollen storage cup, and the pollination cover has at least one pollen outlet. The pollen collection bag is used to hold pollen, and the opening of the pollen collection bag is sealed with an elastic element. The pollen collection bag is placed in the pollen storage cup, and the opening of the pollen collection bag faces the same direction as the first opening of the pollen storage cup. The outer wall of the pollen storage cup near the first opening has a first groove to hold the elastic element at the opening of the pollen collection bag in the first groove, so that the pollen can be discharged through the opening of the pollen collection bag and the pollen outlet. By placing the pollen-collecting bag inside the pollen storage cup, pollen viability is effectively guaranteed. At the same time, pollen is sprayed out through the pollen outlet on the pollination cap. This method has the advantages of simple structure, low cost, and convenient operation, and improves the pollination efficiency of maize breeding to a certain extent.

[0004] The aforementioned device can only perform overall pollination of a single male parent and cannot perform segmented pollination of different areas of the corn ear. This makes it difficult to meet the pollination requirements of different parts of the same ear corresponding to different male parents in refined genetic experiments. In addition, the device directly sprinkles pollen through the opening of the pollen bag and the pollen outlet. Even if a foldable screen is set inside the pollen bag, the pollen outlet is still prone to blockage when the pollen moisture is slightly high, there are many impurities, or the pollination amount is large. This can lead to interruption of the pollination process and affect the continuity of breeding work. Summary of the Invention

[0005] This invention proposes a corn zone pollination device based on a flexible circulating carrier, which solves the problems of difficulty in performing precise zone pollination and easy pollen blockage in the prior art.

[0006] The technical solution of this invention is implemented as follows:

[0007] A maize regional pollination device based on a flexible circulating carrier includes a shell with a constricted opening. Multiple funnel-shaped chambers are located within the shell, and each funnel-shaped chamber contains a flexible conveying component. The two ends of the flexible conveying component are located at the large and small openings of the funnel-shaped chamber, respectively. A power drive component is mounted on the shell to move the flexible conveying component. Each funnel-shaped chamber corresponds to an independent pollination channel, enabling synchronous regional pollination. The flexible conveying component can unclog each funnel-shaped chamber, preventing pollen blockage.

[0008] The flexible conveying assembly includes a drive shaft and a driven shaft. The drive shaft is rotatably disposed at the large end of the housing, and the driven shaft is rotatably disposed at the small end of the housing. The end of the drive shaft extends out of the housing and connects to the power drive assembly. The drive shaft and the driven shaft are connected through a flexible circulating carrier. The power drive assembly drives the drive shaft to rotate, which in turn drives the flexible circulating carrier to rotate around the drive shaft and the driven shaft, causing the flexible circulating carrier to move to the small end of the funnel cavity.

[0009] The drive shaft passes through the large opening of multiple funnel cavities, and the driven shaft passes through the small opening of multiple funnel cavities. This allows a single drive shaft or driven shaft to move simultaneously within multiple funnel cavities, simplifying the device structure.

[0010] The drive shaft is equipped with an active limiting sleeve, with one active limiting sleeve corresponding to each funnel cavity. The active limiting sleeve is keyed to the drive shaft, and the flexible circulating carrier is wound around the active limiting sleeve. Specifically, the drive shaft is equipped with a first retaining ring, which is used to limit the axial position of the active limiting sleeve on the drive shaft, ensuring the stability of the active limiting sleeve on the drive shaft, thereby limiting the flexible circulating carrier at the large opening end of the funnel cavity and ensuring that the flexible circulating carrier is always in a taut state.

[0011] The driven shaft is equipped with a driven limiting sleeve, and each funnel cavity is provided with a corresponding driven limiting sleeve. The driven limiting sleeve is rotatably connected to the driven shaft, and the flexible circulating carrier is wound around the driven limiting sleeve. Specifically, the driven shaft is provided with a second retaining ring to limit the axial position of the driven limiting sleeve on the driven shaft, ensuring the stability of the driven limiting sleeve on the driven shaft, thereby limiting the position of the flexible circulating carrier at the small opening end of the funnel cavity.

[0012] The flexible circulating carrier is a ring-shaped flocked yarn. Flocked yarn refers to fancy yarn with fluff implanted on its surface. Its carrier yarn is mostly polyester or nylon monofilament. The fluff on the surface of the yarn can act as a pollen-carrying structure, which can adsorb and carry pollen to the small end of the funnel cavity.

[0013] The power drive assembly includes gears and a drive motor. The end of the drive shaft is connected to the gear, and the gears at the ends of two adjacent drive shafts mesh to drive each other. The output end of the drive motor drives the gear to rotate. The drive motor is a micro geared motor. The drive motor drives the drive shaft to rotate through gear transmission, which in turn drives the flexible circulating carrier to rotate, thereby realizing the transport of pollen.

[0014] The end of the flexible recirculating carrier is located inside the small opening. This prevents external environmental contamination of the flexible recirculating carrier, and consequently, contamination of the pollen within the funnel cavity.

[0015] The housing is equipped with a vibration component. The vibration component is a vibrating plate. When the flexible circulating carrier delivers pollen to the small opening of the funnel cavity, the vibration component vibrates, causing the pollen to fall off.

[0016] The number of funnel cavities ranges from 2 to 49. This allows for simultaneous pollination of multiple male parents on the same corn ear, improving the efficiency of precision breeding.

[0017] The beneficial effects of this invention are as follows: First, by setting multiple independent funnel cavities within a single shell, each funnel cavity equipped with a flexible conveying assembly, multiple mutually isolated pollination channels are formed. Each pollination channel corresponds to a specific region of the maize ear, allowing pollen from different paternal parents to be independently transported and released to the designated silk region. This completely solves the problem of the inability to perform precise regional pollination in existing technologies, effectively avoids pollen contamination, and greatly improves the accuracy and reliability of breeding experiments.

[0018] Secondly, this invention utilizes a flexible circulating carrier instead of traditional rigid pipes or screens to transport pollen. The flexible circulating carrier, particularly the annular flocked yarn, has a densely packed surface structure that effectively adsorbs and carries pollen particles through van der Waals forces or electrostatic effects. Pollen is continuously transported with the circulating movement of the carrier and is eventually shaken off at the small opening of the shell by gravity or a vibrating component. The entire transport process does not rely on narrow channels or screens, thus fundamentally avoiding clogging problems caused by pollen agglomeration, high humidity, or numerous impurities, ensuring the continuity and stability of pollination operations.

[0019] Third, due to the constricted opening structure of the shell, its small end can be made extremely fine, allowing it to precisely extend to a designated position above the trimmed filament cluster. Combined with the point-to-point pollen delivery and release method of the flexible circulating carrier, pollen can be accurately sprinkled onto the target filament, greatly reducing pollen diffusion and waste.

[0020] Fourth, the present invention features a reasonable and efficient structural design. A single drive shaft can simultaneously drive the movement of flexible circulating carriers within multiple funnel cavities, resulting in a compact structure and simplified transmission system. The power drive component employs a micro-motor coupled with gear transmission, achieving automated cyclic operation, convenient operation, significantly reducing the labor intensity of operators, and improving pollination efficiency. Attached Figure Description

[0021] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention or the prior art, the drawings used in the description of the embodiments or the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of the present invention. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0022] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of a corn regional pollination device based on a flexible circulating carrier according to the present invention.

[0023] Figure 2 This is a cross-sectional view of a corn regional pollination device based on a flexible circulating carrier according to the present invention.

[0024] Figure 3 for Figure 2 Enlarged view of point A in the middle;

[0025] Figure 4 This is a bottom view of a corn zonal pollination device based on a flexible circulating carrier.

[0026] In the figure: 1. Shell, 2. Power drive assembly, 3. Vibration assembly, 4. Flexible conveying assembly, 5. Flexible circulating carrier, 11. Funnel cavity, 21. Gear, 22. Drive motor, 41. Drive shaft, 42. Driven limit sleeve, 43. Driven shaft, 44. Driven limit sleeve. Detailed Implementation

[0027] The technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present invention, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0028] In refined genetic breeding experiments of maize, it is often necessary to divide the same maize ear into different regions and pollinate each region with pollen from different male parents to achieve multi-male parent hybridization of a single ear. However, existing pollination tools or devices are difficult to achieve precise, targeted, and quantitative pollination in a confined space, and are prone to pollen blockage or mixing. To address this, this invention provides a maize regional pollination device based on a flexible circulating carrier.

[0029] Example 1, such as Figure 1 , Figure 2 As shown, this embodiment provides a corn regional pollination device based on a flexible circulating carrier, including a housing 1 with a constricted opening. The housing 1 contains multiple funnel-shaped cavities 11, each containing a flexible conveying component 4. The two ends of the flexible conveying component 4 are located at the large and small openings of the funnel-shaped cavity 11, respectively. A power drive component 2 is provided on the housing 1 to drive the movement of the flexible conveying component 4. Through this structure, each funnel-shaped cavity 11 forms an independent pollination channel, capable of accommodating and transporting pollen from different parent plants to different areas of the corn ear, thereby achieving precise regional pollination. Simultaneously, the circulating movement of the flexible conveying component 4 transports pollen, replacing traditional pipes or screens, fundamentally avoiding the clogging problem caused by high humidity and easy agglomeration of pollen.

[0030] Furthermore, the flexible conveying assembly 4 includes a drive shaft 41 and a driven shaft 43. The drive shaft 41 is rotatably disposed at the large end of the housing 1, and the driven shaft 43 is rotatably disposed at the small end of the housing 1. The end of the drive shaft 41 extends out of the housing 1 and is connected to the power drive assembly 2. The drive shaft 41 and the driven shaft 43 are connected by a flexible circulating carrier 5. The flexible circulating carrier 5 is tensioned between the drive shaft 41 and the driven shaft 43. When the power drive assembly 2 drives the drive shaft 41 to rotate, it can drive the flexible circulating carrier 5 to circulate around the drive shaft 41 and the driven shaft 43.

[0031] Furthermore, such as Figure 2As shown, the drive shaft 41 passes through the large openings of multiple funnel cavities 11, and the driven shaft 43 passes through the small openings of multiple funnel cavities 11. Specifically, the drive shaft 41 can pass through the large openings of all rows of funnel cavities 11, and the driven shaft 43 can pass through the small openings of one row of funnel cavities 11. This design allows one drive shaft 41 and one driven shaft 43 to drive the flexible circulating carrier 5 in multiple pollination channels, greatly simplifying the structure of the device and improving transmission efficiency.

[0032] Furthermore, an active limiting sleeve 42 is provided on the drive shaft 41, and one active limiting sleeve 42 is provided for each funnel cavity 11. The active limiting sleeve 42 is keyed to the drive shaft 41, and the flexible circulating carrier 5 is wound around the active limiting sleeve 42. The active limiting sleeve 42 rotates synchronously with the drive shaft 41. By providing a first retaining ring on the drive shaft 41, the axial position of the active limiting sleeve 42 on the drive shaft 41 can be restricted, thereby ensuring that the winding position of the flexible circulating carrier 5 at the large opening end of the funnel cavity 11 is fixed and kept in a taut state.

[0033] Furthermore, such as Figure 3 , Figure 4 As shown, a driven limiting sleeve 44 is provided on the driven shaft 43, and one driven limiting sleeve 44 is provided for each funnel cavity 11. The driven limiting sleeve 44 is rotatably connected to the driven shaft 43, and the flexible circulating carrier 5 is wound around the driven limiting sleeve 44. By providing a second retaining ring on the driven shaft 43, the axial position of the driven limiting sleeve 44 on the driven shaft 43 can be restricted, thereby ensuring that the winding position of the flexible circulating carrier 5 at the small opening end of the funnel cavity 11 is fixed. The cooperation between the active limiting sleeve 42 and the driven limiting sleeve 44 allows the flexible circulating carrier 5 in each funnel cavity 11 to operate independently and stably without interfering with each other.

[0034] Furthermore, the flexible circulating carrier 5 is a ring-shaped flocked yarn. The flexible circulating carrier 5 is the core component for achieving flexible and continuous pollen transport. The flocked yarn is made by implanting dense fluff onto the surface of polyester or nylon monofilaments, and the fluff on its surface forms a microscopic pollen-containing structure. When the flocked yarn moves within the pollen-filled funnel cavity 11, its fluff can adsorb and carry pollen particles through van der Waals forces or a slight electrostatic effect. As the flexible circulating carrier 5 continues to circulate, pollen is continuously transported from the larger end (pollen storage area) of the funnel cavity 11 to the smaller end (pollen pollination area).

[0035] Example 2, based on Example 1, provides a corn zone pollination device based on a flexible circulating carrier. The power drive assembly 2 includes gears 21 and a drive motor 22. The end of the drive shaft 41 is connected to the gears 21, and the gears 21 at the ends of adjacent drive shafts 41 mesh and transmit power. The output of the drive motor 22 drives the gears 21 to rotate. The power drive assembly 2 provides power to the entire device. Multiple gears 21 at the ends of the drive shafts 41 arranged side-by-side mesh sequentially to form a gear transmission system. The output of the drive motor 22 is connected to one of the gears 21. The drive motor 22 is preferably a micro-gear motor. When it starts, through the meshing transmission of the gears 21, it drives all drive shafts 41 to rotate synchronously, thereby driving all flexible circulating carriers 5 to circulate synchronously. This design achieves the driving of multiple pollination channels with a single motor, resulting in a compact structure and convenient control.

[0036] The instruction manual states that the rotation direction of the drive shaft 41 is not limited. Whether the drive shaft 41 rotates forward or backward, it can drive the flexible circulating carrier 5 to continuously transport pollen from the large end (pollen storage area) to the small end (pollenation area).

[0037] Furthermore, the end of the flexible recirculating carrier 5 is located inside the small opening of 1. This prevents the external environment from contaminating the flexible recirculating carrier 5, thereby preventing contamination of the pollen inside the funnel cavity.

[0038] The small opening of the shell 1 serves as the pollination point. When the flexible circulating carrier 5 reaches this point, the pollen it carries is ready to be released. To further promote pollen release, a vibration component 3 is also provided on the shell 1. The vibration component 3 can be a vibrating plate or a miniature vibration motor attached to the outside of the small opening of the shell. When the flexible circulating carrier 5 carrying pollen reaches the pollination point, the vibration component 3 is activated to generate high-frequency micro-amplitude vibrations. These vibrations are transmitted to the flexible circulating carrier 5 and its villi, effectively shaking off the adsorbed pollen and causing it to fall vertically onto the target filaments directly below, achieving precise point-to-point pollination.

[0039] Furthermore, the number of funnel cavities 11 can range from 2 to 49. The number of funnel cavities 11 can be set according to the actual needs of the breeding experiment. For example, a 7×7 array can be set up to achieve up to 49 independent regional pollination channels. This allows the operator to divide the same corn ear into up to 49 regions at one time and simultaneously complete the pollination of different male parents, greatly improving the efficiency of precision breeding.

[0040] In practice, pollen from different parent plants can be placed into their respective funnel chambers 11. The operator holds the housing 1, inserting its small opening above the trimmed corn silk cluster, aligning the specific opening with the target pollination area. The drive motor 22 and vibration assembly 3 are activated. The drive motor 22, through gear 21, drives the drive shaft 41 to rotate, which in turn drives the flexible circulating carrier 5 to begin circulating. The flexible circulating carrier 5 transports the pollen to the small opening of the housing 1. The vibration assembly 3 vibrates, causing the pollen to fall onto the target silk area, completing pollination in that area. The device is then moved to pollinate the next area. The entire process is efficient, precise, and free of contamination.

[0041] This invention, through the design of multiple independent funnel cavities 11 combined with a flexible circulating carrier 5, not only successfully achieves high-precision zoned pollination of maize ears, meeting the needs of modern precision breeding, but also completely solves the technical problem of pollen clogging by utilizing the principle of flexible physical transport. The device has a reasonable structure, is easy to operate, and has significant application value.

[0042] The above description is only a preferred embodiment of the present invention and is not intended to limit the present invention. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements, etc., made within the spirit and principles of the present invention should be included within the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A corn regional pollination device based on a flexible circulating carrier, comprising a shell (1), characterized in that, The shell (1) has a constricted structure and multiple funnel cavities (11) are provided inside the shell (1). Each funnel cavity (11) is provided with a flexible conveying component (4). The two ends of the flexible conveying component (4) are located at the large end and the small end of the funnel cavity (11), respectively. The shell (1) is provided with a power drive component (2) for driving the flexible conveying component (4) to move.

2. The corn zone pollination device based on a flexible circulating carrier according to claim 1, characterized in that, The flexible conveying assembly (4) includes a drive shaft (41) and a driven shaft (43). The drive shaft (41) is rotatably disposed at the large end of the housing (1), and the driven shaft (43) is rotatably disposed at the small end of the housing (1). The end of the drive shaft (41) extends out of the housing (1) and is connected to the power drive assembly (2). The drive shaft (41) and the driven shaft (43) are connected by a flexible circulating carrier (5).

3. The corn zone pollination device based on a flexible circulating carrier according to claim 2, characterized in that, The drive shaft (41) passes through the large opening of multiple funnel cavities (11), and the driven shaft (43) passes through the small opening of multiple funnel cavities (11).

4. The corn zone pollination device based on a flexible circulating carrier according to claim 2, characterized in that, An active limiting sleeve (42) is provided on the active shaft (41). Each funnel cavity (11) is provided with an active limiting sleeve (42). The active limiting sleeve (42) is keyed to the active shaft (41). The flexible circulating carrier (5) is wound around the active limiting sleeve (42).

5. The corn zone pollination device based on a flexible circulating carrier according to claim 2, characterized in that, A driven limit sleeve (44) is provided on the driven shaft (43). Each funnel cavity (11) is provided with a corresponding driven limit sleeve (44). The driven limit sleeve (44) is rotatably connected to the driven shaft (43). The flexible circulating carrier (5) is wound around the driven limit sleeve (44).

6. The corn zone pollination device based on a flexible circulating carrier according to any one of claims 2 to 5, characterized in that, The flexible circulating carrier (5) is a ring-shaped flocked yarn.

7. The corn zone pollination device based on a flexible circulating carrier according to claim 6, characterized in that, The power drive assembly (2) includes a gear (21) and a drive motor (22). The end of the drive shaft (41) is connected to the gear (21). The gears (21) at the ends of two adjacent drive shafts (41) mesh and drive each other. The output end of the drive motor (22) drives the gear (21) to rotate.

8. The corn zone pollination device based on a flexible circulating carrier according to claim 7, characterized in that, The end of the flexible circulating carrier (5) is located inside the small opening end of (1).

9. The corn zone pollination device based on a flexible circulating carrier according to claim 1 or 8, characterized in that, The housing (1) is equipped with a vibration assembly (3).

10. The corn zone pollination device based on a flexible circulating carrier according to claim 9, characterized in that, The number of funnel cavities (11) ranges from 2 to 49.

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