localgreenchain/docs/concepts/seed-to-seed-transport.md

Seed-to-Seed Transport System

The Seed-to-Seed Transport System is the core tracking mechanism of LocalGreenChain. It provides complete traceability from the moment a seed is sourced, through planting, growing, harvesting, consumption, and back to seed collection for the next generation.

Overview

┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│                     SEED-TO-SEED LIFECYCLE                              │
├─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤
│                                                                         │
│  ┌──────────┐    ┌──────────┐    ┌──────────┐    ┌──────────┐         │
│  │  SEED    │───→│ TRANSIT  │───→│  PLANT   │───→│  GROW    │         │
│  │ SOURCE   │    │  TO FARM │    │          │    │          │         │
│  └──────────┘    └──────────┘    └──────────┘    └──────────┘         │
│       │                                               │                 │
│       │                                               ▼                 │
│       │         ┌──────────┐    ┌──────────┐    ┌──────────┐         │
│       │         │  SEED    │←───│ HARVEST  │←───│ MATURE   │         │
│       │         │  SAVE    │    │          │    │          │         │
│       │         └──────────┘    └──────────┘    └──────────┘         │
│       │              │                               │                 │
│       │              ▼                               ▼                 │
│       │         ┌──────────┐                   ┌──────────┐          │
│       └────────→│  NEXT    │                   │ TRANSPORT │         │
│                 │ GENERATION│                   │ TO MARKET │         │
│                 └──────────┘                   └──────────┘          │
│                                                      │                 │
│                                                      ▼                 │
│                                                ┌──────────┐          │
│                                                │ CONSUMER  │          │
│                                                │ DELIVERY  │          │
│                                                └──────────┘          │
│                                                                         │
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘

Transport Event Types

1. Seed Acquisition Transport

Track seeds from their source to the growing location.

interface SeedAcquisitionTransport {
  eventType: 'seed_acquisition';
  seedBatchId: string;
  sourceType: 'seed_bank' | 'previous_harvest' | 'trade' | 'purchase' | 'wild_collected';
  sourceLocation: TransportLocation;
  destinationLocation: TransportLocation;
  quantity: number;
  unit: 'seeds' | 'grams' | 'packets';
  geneticLineageId?: string;
  certifications?: string[];
  transportMethod: TransportMethod;
  environmentalConditions: TransportEnvironment;
}

2. Growing Transport

Track movement of plants during their growing lifecycle (transplanting, relocation).

interface GrowingTransport {
  eventType: 'growing_transport';
  plantId: string;
  reason: 'transplant' | 'relocation' | 'hardening_off' | 'seasonal_move';
  fromLocation: TransportLocation;
  toLocation: TransportLocation;
  plantStage: PlantStage;
  handlingMethod: 'bare_root' | 'potted' | 'root_ball' | 'hydroponic_transfer';
}

3. Harvest Transport

Track movement from growing site to processing/distribution.

interface HarvestTransport {
  eventType: 'harvest_transport';
  plantIds: string[];
  harvestBatchId: string;
  fromLocation: TransportLocation;
  toLocation: TransportLocation;
  harvestType: 'full_harvest' | 'partial_harvest' | 'continuous_harvest';
  produceWeight: number;
  unit: 'kg' | 'lbs' | 'units';
  packagingType: string;
  temperatureRequired: TemperatureRange;
  shelfLife: number; // hours
}

4. Distribution Transport

Track movement through distribution chain to consumers.

interface DistributionTransport {
  eventType: 'distribution';
  harvestBatchId: string;
  fromLocation: TransportLocation;
  toLocation: TransportLocation;
  destinationType: 'consumer' | 'market' | 'restaurant' | 'processor' | 'vertical_farm';
  transportMethod: TransportMethod;
  carbonFootprint: number; // kg CO2
  distance: number; // km
}

5. Seed Saving Transport

Track seed collection and storage for next generation.

interface SeedSavingTransport {
  eventType: 'seed_saving';
  parentPlantIds: string[];
  newSeedBatchId: string;
  seedCount: number;
  viabilityTestDate?: string;
  germinationRate?: number;
  storageLocation: TransportLocation;
  storageConditions: SeedStorageConditions;
  nextGenerationId: string;
}

Blockchain Recording

Each transport event creates a new block in the user's blockchain:

interface TransportBlock {
  index: number;
  timestamp: string;
  transportEvent: TransportEvent;
  previousHash: string;
  hash: string;
  nonce: number;

  // Additional verification
  signatures: {
    sender?: string;
    receiver?: string;
    verifier?: string;
  };

  // Environmental impact
  carbonFootprint: number;
  foodMiles: number;
}

Chain of Custody

The system maintains an unbroken chain of custody:

Seed Bank (Block #1)
    ↓ Transport: seed_acquisition
Grower A (Block #2)
    ↓ Plant & Grow
Grower A (Block #3-20) [growth updates]
    ↓ Transport: harvest_transport
Local Hub (Block #21)
    ↓ Transport: distribution
Consumer B (Block #22)
    ↓ Consume & Save Seeds
Seed Storage (Block #23)
    ↓ Transport: seed_saving → New lineage begins

Environmental Impact Tracking

Every transport calculates:

1. Carbon Footprint

   • Vehicle emissions based on transport method
   • Refrigeration/climate control energy
   • Packaging materials lifecycle

2. Food Miles

   • Actual distance traveled
   • Mode-weighted distance (air vs truck vs local)

3. Time-to-Consumer

   • Freshness degradation tracking
   • Optimal delivery windows

4. Resource Usage

   • Water (for any irrigation during transport)
   • Electricity (refrigeration, lighting)
   • Packaging waste

Integration with User Blockchain

Each user's blockchain maintains their personal transport history:

class UserTransportChain {
  userId: string;
  chain: TransportBlock[];

  // Get all plants currently in user's possession
  getCurrentInventory(): PlantInventory[];

  // Get complete history for a plant
  getPlantJourney(plantId: string): TransportEvent[];

  // Calculate total environmental impact
  getTotalFootprint(): EnvironmentalImpact;

  // Get lineage across generations
  getMultiGenerationLineage(plantId: string, generations: number): LineageTree;
}

QR Code Integration

Each plant/batch gets a unique QR code containing:

{
  "plantId": "lgc_abc123",
  "blockchainAddress": "0x...",
  "quickLookup": "https://localgreenchain.org/track/lgc_abc123",
  "lineageHash": "sha256...",
  "currentCustodian": "user_xyz",
  "lastTransportBlock": 42
}

Scanning provides instant access to:

• Complete growing history
• All transport events
• Environmental conditions throughout lifecycle
• Carbon footprint calculation
• Previous generation lineage

API Endpoints

See Transport API Documentation for complete API reference.

Key Endpoints

POST /api/transport/seed-acquisition
POST /api/transport/growing
POST /api/transport/harvest
POST /api/transport/distribution
POST /api/transport/seed-saving

GET /api/transport/journey/:plantId
GET /api/transport/footprint/:userId
GET /api/transport/verify/:blockHash

Best Practices

For Growers

1. Record promptly: Log transport events as they happen
2. Verify conditions: Note temperature, humidity, handling
3. Save seeds systematically: Maintain genetic diversity
4. Minimize transport: Source locally, deliver locally

For Transporters

1. Maintain cold chain: Use temperature loggers
2. Optimize routes: Reduce food miles
3. Report delays: Update estimated arrival times
4. Handle gently: Protect plant integrity

For Consumers

1. Scan on receipt: Verify chain of custody
2. Report issues: Flag any problems immediately
3. Save seeds: Continue the genetic lineage
4. Share feedback: Help improve the system