Comparison and Application of Non-Destructive NIR Evaluations of Seed Protein and Oil Content in Soybean Breeding

Abstract

A plant breeding program needs to evaluate a large number of materials for different traits within a limited time. Near-infrared (NIR) spectroscopy has been used to quickly determine seed composition in various crop species. In this study, we compared whole-seed evaluations of protein and oil content by NIR methods in soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.], and then discussed the application to plant breeding. The differences among the entries tested were highly significant in both traits for each method used. No significant difference but high correlation and consistency existed between DA 7250 and wet-chemistry methods. Compared with DA 7250, ZX-50 exhibited, to some extent, differences or errors. The differences of ZX-50 methods were found to be correlated with seed sizes and could be corrected using regression equations formulated for bias calculation. After correction, the differences in the predictions between DA 7250 and ZX-50 methods were insignificant. Similar to DA 7250, ZX-50 methods exhibited a high repeatability (> 98%) of the predictions. By validation with 760 bulk samples of different seed types and 240 single-plant samples, it further demonstrated that as a non-destructive, fast and cost-efficient method, ZX-50 NIR analysis with an appropriate bias correction could be used in soybean breeding, specifically suitable for single plant selection based on whole seeds.

Machine Learning for Seed Quality Classification: An Advanced Approach Using Merger Data from FT-NIR Spectroscopy and X-ray Imaging

“…The use of NIR spectroscopy methods combined with X-ray imaging can provide both seed chemical composition and physical integrity measurements [10,[14][15][16][17]. The NIR spectra comprise bands of higher wavelengths arising from overlapping absorptions corresponding to chemistry bond combinations such as C-H, O-H, and N-H [3].…”

“…FT-NIR spectroscopy is based on the absorption of electromagnetic radiation at wavelengths ranging from 780 to 2500 nm [13]. Therefore, it offers versatility for direct and simultaneous measurements of several constituents in seed samples [10,[14][15][16][17]. On the other hand, X-ray imaging is based on differences in X-ray attenuation in different types of tissues [18].…”

Comparison of seed fatty and amino acids in edamame dried using two oven‐drying methods and mature soybeans

“…However, these technologies are time‐consuming and cost‐inefficient, and generate chemical residues 23–26 . It is clear that the traditional laboratory wet‐chemistry techniques cannot satisfy the need for a large‐scale evaluation of hundreds and thousands of materials 23,27,28 . In contrast, near‐infrared reflectance (NIR) technology provides a simple and rapid evaluation of nutritional composition, and it can accomplish multiple‐constituent measurements for a single sample at the same time 29 .…”

“…It is clear that the current calibrations do not apply to fresh edamame seeds, and thus fresh edamame cannot be directly analyzed for seed composition traits using NIR methodology. Alternatively, dried edamame seed samples provide an option for the NIR analysis of seed composition traits 28 …”

“…In practice, however, hundreds and thousands of materials are typically evaluated in a breeding program so that selection can be accomplished effectively and efficiently based on the differences determined among genotypes. Therefore, to evaluate the seed composition traits in edamame, we have recently used oven‐drying methods to dry edamame 28 . Then we analyzed the difference and relationship in seed composition between the oven‐dried edamame seeds and mature soybeans.…”