Non-destructive and high throughput methods have been developed for seed quality evaluation. The aim of this study was to relate parameters obtained from the free and automated analysis of digital radiographs of hybrid melons’ seeds to their seeds’ physiological potential. Seeds of three hybrid melon (Cucumis melo L.) cultivars from commercial lot samples were used. Radiographic images of the seeds were obtained, from which area, perimeter, circularity, relative density, integrated density and seed filling measurements were generated by means of a macro (PhenoXray) developed for ImageJ® software. After the X-ray test, seed samples were submitted to the germination test, from which variables related to the physiological quality of the seeds were obtained. Variability between lots was observed for both physical and physiological characteristics. Results showed that the use of the PhenoXray macro allows large-scale phenotyping of seed radiographs in a simple, fast, consistent and completely free way. The methodology is efficient in obtaining morphometric and tissue integrity data of melon seeds and the generated parameters are closely related to physiological attributes of seed quality.

Obtaining image-based information is a powerful approach to capture and quantify seed vigor data. However, commercial systems that facilitate the processing and acquisition of images are often cost prohibitive. This study aimed to evaluate the efficiency of the Seedling Analysis System (Sistema de Análise de Plântulas - SAPL^®), in order to analyze the physiological potential of soybean seeds, in comparison with the information provided by vigor tests which are traditionally recommended for this species. Nine lots of soybean seeds were submitted to germination, germination speed, seedling emergence, cold test and electrical conductivity tests. In the SAPL^® analyzes, seedlings of four and six days, counted from the beginning of the germination test, were evaluated, resulting in values ​​for seedling length, growth, development uniformity, vigor index and corrected vigor index. The evaluated lots with emergence greater than 90 % showed a vigor index higher than 600 and 800, respectively in the fourth and sixth days. The indexes generated by SAPL^®, except for the uniformity index, presented positive and high correlations with the traditional tests (> 0.80). SAPL^® is efficient in identifying differences in the vigor of soybean seed lots.

O cubiu (Solanum sessiliflorum Dunal) é uma solanácea arbustiva nativa da Amazônia, que apresenta potencialidades para a agroindústria devido à alta produção de frutos saudáveis, com elevada concentração de ácido cítrico. Objetivou-se neste estudo analisar o comportamento germinativo das sementes de cubiu sob regime de temperaturas e substratos diferentes. O trabalho foi realizado no Laboratório de Tecnologia e Análises de Sementes do Centro de Ciências Agrárias da Universidade Federal do Espírito Santo (CCA-UFES), Alegre-ES. O delineamento experimental utilizado foi o inteiramente casualizado, num esquema fatorial 6x6 (seis substratos e seis temperaturas) com quatro repetições. A comparação de médias foi feita pelo teste de Tukey, a 5% de probabilidade. Os substratos utilizados foram: sobre vermiculita (V); entre areia (EA); sobre papel (SP); sobre areia (SA); sobre mistura terra + areia + esterco (TAE) e rolo de papel germitest (RP) e as temperaturas foram constantes de 20, 25 e 30ºC e alternadas de 20-25; 25-30 e 20-30ºC. Os resultados obtidos evidenciaram maior porcentagem de germinação das sementes de cubiu semeadas nos substratos sobre areia e entre areia, sendo a temperatura de 20-30ºC, aquela que mais favoreceu a germinação e a velocidade de germinação das sementes.

Os principais testes que avaliam a qualidade de sementes são destrutivos e exigem um tempo relativamente longo para serem concluídos. A análise de imagens de sementes por meio de raios X representa uma alternativa para este setor, sendo uma técnica reproduzível e rápida, permite maior agilidade e autonomia nas atividades dos sistemas de produção. O objetivo deste trabalho foi analisar a morfologia interna de sementes de moringa por meio de imagens radiografadas e compará-la aos testes de germinação e vigor. Foram utilizados quatro lotes de sementes, coletadas em árvores-matrizes na região de Macaíba – RN, posteriormente radiografadas e as imagens analisadas através do software ImageJ e, após a radiografia, submetidas aos testes de germinação, primeira contagem e índice de velocidade de germinação e comprimento e massa seca de plântulas. O delineamento experimental utilizado foi o inteiramente casualizado, com quatro repetições por lote e os resultados obtidos neste experimento para os testes de germinação e vigor foram comparados com o percentual de área livre no interior da semente. Os lotes 1, 2 e 4 tiveram melhor resultado para os testes de germinação e vigor e o lote 3 mostrou-se de qualidade inferior. Observou-se que quanto maior a área livre no interior das sementes, menor a qualidade dos lotes de moringa testados. A análise de imagens radiografadas de sementes de moringa, com o software ImageJ, permite a mensuração das áreas preenchidas e áreas livres no interior da semente assim como a associação entre estas e a germinação. Danos internos severos, malformação e grau de preenchimento detectados nos raios X podem ser associados à baixa germinação e à redução do comprimento de plântulas.

New approaches based on image analysis can assist in phenotyping of biological characteristics, serving as support for decision-making in modern agribusiness. The aim of this study was to propose a method of high-throughput phenotyping of free access for processing of 2D X-ray images of brachiaria grass (Brachiaria ruziziensis cv. Ruziziensis) seeds, as well as correlate the parameters linked to the physiological potential of the seeds. The study was carried out by means of automated analysis of X-ray images of seeds in which a macro, called PhenoXray, was developed, responsible for digital image processing, for which a series of descriptors were obtained. After the X-ray analysis, a germination test was performed on the seeds and, from this, variables related to the physiological quality of the seeds were obtained. The use of the macro PhenoXray allowed large-scale phenotyping of seed X-rays in a simple, rapid, robust, and totally free manner. This study confirmed that the methodology is efficient for obtaining morphometric data and tissue integrity data in Brachiaria ruziziensis seeds and that parameters such as relative density, integrated density, and seed filling are closely related to the physiological attributes of seed quality.

The use of discontinuous hydration cycles can act in improving seed germination and seedling initial growth under water stress. In this context, the objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of discontinuous hydration on the germination of Mimosa caesalpiniifolia and Pityrocarpa moniliformis seeds under water stress. For this, seeds of these species were subjected to 0 (without hydration), 2 and 4 hydration cycles (18 h) and dehydration (12 and 18 h, respectively), with subsequent germination under water stress simulated for osmotic potentials of 0.0 (distilled water), -0.2, -0.4, -0.6 and -0.8 MPa. Seedlings were evaluated using tests of germination, germination speed index, mean germination time and seedling length. Discontinuous hydration in M. caesalpiniifolia and P. moniliformis seeds hampers germination and vigor of seedlings under water stress up to -0.6 MPa. However, the use of two cycles in P. moniliformis favors germination under more severe water stress (-0.8 MPa).