Potential analysis of radiographic images to determine infestation of rice seeds

The X-ray method, together with image analysis tools, has been used to evaluate the internal structures of seeds and correlate them with the physical, physiological and sanitary quality, providing significant and accurate results. The objective of this study was to analyze radiographic images of rice seeds infested by the rice weevil Sitophilus oryzae (Linnaeus, 1763) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae). Rice seed samples from three different cultivars were infested with S. oryzae for 90 days. Next, seed samples collected at random were analyzed by X-ray testing. The radiographic images were analyzed by ImageJ® software to extract color and shape features. Scanning electron microscopy analyses were also performed. The results showed that X-ray testing was effective in detecting infestation. The gray distribution histograms revealed differences between healthy seeds and those infested by adult insects or empty seeds, confirmed by the significant differences obtained for the area and relative and integrated density variables. The study demonstrated that the analysis of radiographic images can provide quantitative information on insect infestation of rice seeds, which is useful in the evaluation of seed quality and for detecting the presence of pests in rice seeds.