X-ray technique application in evaluating the quality of papaya seeds

Abstract

The objective of this work was that to investigate the application of X-ray technique in evaluating the quality of papaya seeds and in establishing an experimental protocol. The work was carried out with papaya seeds of the Brazilian' hybrid UENF/CALIMAN 01. The seeds were exposed to X-ray inspection and classified according to their morphological profiles of embryonic and endospermic tissues as revealed by the radiography. The radiation exposure condition of 20 Kv for 1.5 minutes generated more precise seed images. Four anatomic classes were selected, potentially related to germination (full seed, empty seed, seed with reduced embryo and embryo cavity proportion and seed with endosperm and non-visible embryo). X-ray tested seeds were submitted to the germination test to detect possible associations between seed anatomy and its corresponding seedling, and non-germinated seed. The results of this work showed an association between the morphological information provided by the X-ray test and the standard germination test, indicating its potential to be applied on papaya seed quality assay.