The use of computerized imaging analysis of seedlings to evaluate vigor of corn seed compared to traditional tests

Author(s)

Danielle Otte Carrara Castan

• Document type: Master's Dissertation
• Press: Piracicaba.
• Institution: Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Escola Superior de Agricultura Luiz de Queiroz (ESALA/BC)
• Defense date: 2015-02-05

Examining board members

Julio Marcos Filho; Francisco Guilhien Gomes Júnior; João Nakagawa

• Advisor: Julio Marcos Filho

Abstract

The improvement of existing tests and the possibility of inserting new computational resources to accurately evaluate the physiological potential of seeds have gained great interest in seed research and from seed technologists. The objective of this research was to evaluate the physiological potential of corn seeds using systems of computerized imaging analysis of seedlings (SVIS® and Vigor-S) compared to other methods used to assess vigor of these seeds. Two corn hybrids were used, each represented by seven seed lots, assessing germination and vigor (cold test, traditional and saturated solution of NaCl accelerated aging and percentage of seedling emergence) in three experimental times. To evaluate the vigor of seed through the seedling imaging analysis, the Seed Vigor Imaging System (SVIS®), developed by Ohio State University/USA, with the system of Automated Analysis of Seed Vigor (Vigor-S), developed in cooperation between USP/ESALQ and EMBRAPA Agricultural Instrumentation (CNPDIA). The data were subjected to the analysis of variance in a completely randomized design (laboratory tests) and in randomized blocks (field tests) and the averages were compared by Tukey test (p <= 0.05). The results showed that the use of computerized imaging analysis of seedlings with Vigor-S is promising to evaluate vigor of corn seeds. The accelerated aging with NaCl saturated solution in the period of 96 hours at 41ºC is efficient to assess vigor of corn seeds. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 13/11132-5 - Procedures for automated seedling image analysis for vigor evaluation of maize seeds in comparison with other traditional tests
• Grantee: Danielle Otte Carrara Castan
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Master