Tomato seed image analysis during the maturation

Abstract

The seed physiological potential has been directly related to normal formation process under morphological, structural and functional point of view. The objective of this study was to evaluate the internal morphology of ‘BRS Nagai’ tomato hybrid seeds at different stages of development and maturation, through the X-ray image analysis and relate the results with the seed germination and vigor. Seeds were extracted from fruits harvested at 30, 40, 50, 60 and 70 days after pollination (DAP). Subsequently, seeds were x-rayed with their images analyzed visually for the embryo morphology classification; also, the measurement of clearance between the embryo and endosperm was performed with the help of the ImageJ software. These results were compared with the seed physiological quality by germination. The correlations involving the analysis of X-ray showed that the seeds have embryos classified as normal tend to have higher vigor and produce normal seedlings. On the other hand, seeds with higher internal free area tend to have low vigor and higher percentage of abnormal seedlings. The image analysis using X-rays is efficient for the study of physiological maturity of tomato seeds. The analysis of X-rays may predict seed performance by means of the embryo morphology, permitting the selection of high quality seeds. Tomato seeds of fruits with up to 40 days after pollination have low morphophysiological quality when compared to seeds extracted from fully mature fruits, from 60 days after pollination.

Relationship between internal morphology and physiological quality of pepper seeds during fruit maturation and storage

“…The software ImageJ, used in the present work, possesses additional advantages since it is free of charge and offers a vast set of tools for image analysis (Schneider, Rasband, & Eliceiri, ). Some recent research has also shown the efficiency of ImageJ in processing seed radiographs (Abud et al., ; Borges et al., ; de Medeiros et al., , ; Leão‐Araújo et al., ; Prado‐Alves, de Von Pinho, dos Santos, Prado‐Alves, & de Carvalho, ). Nevertheless, more studies in this field remain necessary, especially for seeds of small size, extracted from fruits at different maturation stages, the case of several crop species.…”

“…The x‐ray testing, also regarded as an optical technology, places among the most used ones for visualization of internal morphology of seeds. Recent research in the seed area showed the use of radiographic images for diverse purposes, such as detecting embryonic malformations and physical damages, as well as for monitoring seed filling, maturation, and overall quality (Abud, Cicero, & Gomes, ; Medeiros et al., , ; Borges et al., ; Leão‐Araújo, Gomes‐Junior, da Silva, Peixoto, & de Souza, ). However, the analysis of the radiograph visually is subjective, leading to errors, laborious and time consuming.…”

ASSESSMENT OF THE PHYSICAL AND PHYSIOLOGICAL QUALITY OF Piptadenia gonoacantha SEEDS (MART.) J. F. MACBR. USING IMAGE ANALYSIS

“…As observed by the automated physical analysis, the lots with higher values of tissue density, fi lling, and solidity, presented higher germination and vigor. Similarly, the direct relation between tissue density and / or fi lling with the physiological quality of seeds has already been observed both in forest species such as L. leucocephala (Medeiros et al, 2018), M. polymorphum (Faria et al, 2019) and M. oleifera (Noronha et al, 2019), and in other agricultural species such as tomato ( Borges et al, 2019) and Jatropha curcas (Medeiros et al, 2020).…”

X-ray imaging and digital processing application in non-destructive assessing of melon seed quality

“…Several authors pointed out that the evaluation of aspects such as the internal cavity occupied by the embryo, the presence of mechanical damages, stains that indicate tissue deterioration or seed malformations is necessary in studies with X-rays in seeds (Borges et al, 2019;Gomes-Junior et al, 2013). However, according to , all these characteristics are in a way represented by the relative density, since seeds deteriorated or with less filling show lower gray levels in the radiographic image.…”

“…With the filling variable, which represents the percentage of area of the seed effectively filled by high density material, we noticed that the lowest observed averages value was 93.6%, which indicates high uniformity of embryonic filling perceived in the seed lots studied. Borges et al (2019) also used the filling variable to quantify the empty seed area of tomato, and observed a close relationship between seed empty space and its physiological quality.…”