DEVICE AND METHOD FOR SCREENING A PLANT POPULATION FOR WIND DAMAGE RESISTANCE TRAITS

摘要

A device and method for applying a wind force to a plurality of plants in an agricultural environment is provided to screen for selected wind-resistance traits in the plurality of plants. In one embodiment of the present invention, a device is provided including a generating device for creating a moving fluid stream to provide the wind force, a directing device, such as a duct and/or movable vane, for precisely and selectively directing the wind force towards a portion of at least one plant, and a controller for adjusting one or more parameters of the fluid stream. The device and/or method embodiments of the present invention may thus be used to selectively apply the wind force to one or more plants (or portions thereof) such that the plants may be evaluated with respect to one or more wind-resistant physical characteristics.