Evaluation of the physiological quality of tobacco seeds through image analysis

Abstract

Digital image analysis has been used to evaluate seed quality as an accurate, fast and low human interference technique. The objective was to establish image analysis methodologies to evaluate the tobacco seeds vigor with the use of the GroundEye® system. For the lots characterization, the water content assessments, germination, first germination count, germination speed index, time to occur 50% of germination, accumulated average germination, germination average time, emergency and emergency speed index were determined. The analysis of tobacco seedlings images from six plots of three cultivars was carried out using the GroundEye® system, version S120. In the first experiment the vigor was evaluated by the germination test at 5, 6, 7 and 8 days and in the second experiment the vigor was tested by the emergency test at 5, 6, 7, 8, 12 and 16 days after sowing. The GroundEye® system allows the evaluation of the tobacco seed lots quality of both with data obtained in the germination test and with data obtained in emergence on commercial substrates from the seventh evaluation day.