X-ray, multispectral and chlorophyll fluorescence images: innovative methods for evaluating the physiological potential of rice seeds

Abstract: Image analysis techniques are expanding in agriculture and, for being fast, simple, and not destroying samples, they are interesting alternatives in the detection of immature rice seeds. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the quality of rice seeds using X-ray, multispectral and chlorophyll fluorescence image analysis techniques. Initially, with the seeds identified and numbered, radiographic images were obtained to determine the free space (area between the endosperm + embryo and the glumes). Subsequently, with the same seeds used in the X-ray, multispectral and chlorophyll fluorescence images were acquired, and then the computerized seedling analysis was performed with the SVIS® software. It was concluded that rice seeds that do not germinate or originate abnormal seedlings have free space equal to or greater than 18.68%, higher reflectance in the spectral bands with wavelength from 590 nm to 780 nm (41.46% to 64.21%, respectively) and in the band of 970 nm (75.65%), in addition to having chlorophyll fluorescence values equal to or greater than 40.58 and 112.92 at excitation/emission energies of 630/700 nm and 645/700 nm, respectively.