Image Analysis in the Evaluation of the Physical and Physiological Quality of Jiló (Solanum gilo) Seeds during Development

Abstract

Currently, the X-ray image analysis of seeds has proved effective for the evaluation of the physical and physiological quality of the seeds, besides being a non-destructive method. The objective of this work was to evaluate the internal free area of jiló seeds (Solanum gilo) through the analysis of radiographic images and to relate the results with the germination of seeds in different stages of maturation. The seeds were harvested at 35, 40, 45 days after anthesis and 45 days after anthesis with 7 days at rest (45 DAAr). Seeds with free internal area ≤ 10% produced normal seedlings whereas seeds with an average free area above 10% produced abnormal or non-germinated seedlings. Seeds of fruits harvested at 45 DAA and seven days at rest showed a smaller internal free area and a formation of 100% of normal seedlings. The analysis of the radiographic images of jiló seeds allows the measurement of the free internal areas, as well as the determination of the relation between these and the germination.