Explore the vast range of titles available.

New computer vision solutions combined with artificial intelligence algorithms can help recognize patterns in biological images, reducing subjectivity and optimizing the analysis process. The aim of this study was to propose an approach based on interactive and traditional machine learning methods to classify soybean seeds and seedlings according to their appearance and physiological potential. In addition, we correlated the appearance of seeds to their physiological performance. Images of soybean seeds and seedlings were used to develop models using low-cost approaches and free-access software. The models developed showed high performance, with overall accuracy reaching 0.94 for seeds and seedling classification. The high precision of the models that were developed based on interactive and traditional machine learning demonstrated that the method can easily be used to classify soybean seeds according to their appearance, as well as to classify soybean seedling vigor quickly and non-subjectively. The appearance of soybean seeds is strongly correlated with their physiological performance.

Nitric oxide (NO) can act in biochemical pathways of the germination process; however, there is little information about how it acts on the performance of pea seeds. The aim of this study was to evaluate the physiological and biochemical effects of NO on pea seed germination and vigor. Pea seeds cv. Itapuã 600 obtained from three seed lots with different levels of physiological quality were sown in a substrate moistened with water (control) or sodium nitroprusside (SNP) solution, a NO donor (50 μM), to assess germination, vigor, activity of antioxidant enzymes, reactive oxygen species, lipid peroxidation, and amylase activity. NO application does not alter pea seed germination, but it increases vigor. It is more effective in seeds with lower physiological potential. In addition, NO leads to reduction in oxidative stress, favors the translocation of reserves to the embryo, and has potential for use in the treatment of pea seeds to increase seed vigor. Resumo: O óxido nítrico (ON) pode atuar em rotas bioquímicas do processo germinativo, no entanto, são poucas informações sobre a sua ação no desempenho de sementes de ervilha. O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar os efeitos fisiológicos e bioquímicos do ON na germinação e no vigor de sementes de ervilha. Sementes de ervilha cv. Itapuã 600, obtidas de três lotes com diferentes níveis de qualidade fisiológica, foram semeadas em substrato umedecido com água (controle) ou solução de nitroprussiato de sódio (SNP), doadora de NO (50 μM) para avaliação da germinação, vigor, atividade de enzimas antioxidantes, espécies reativas de oxigênio, peroxidação de lipídeos e atividade de amilases. A aplicação de ON não altera a germinação de sementes de ervilha, mas aumenta o vigor, sendo mais eficaz em sementes de menor potencial fisiológico. Além disso, o ON promove redução do estresse oxidativo, favorece a translocação de reservas para o embrião e tem potencial para ser utilizado no tratamento de sementes de ervilha visando o aumento do vigor das sementes.

Cultivation of chickpea has been expanding in Brazil, and defining appropriate strategies for its preservation is essential. The aim of this study was to evaluate the biochemical and physiological changes in chickpea seeds stored in different packaging materials and environmental conditions. Seeds of the BRS Aleppo cultivar were placed in impermeable (plastic) and permeable (paper) packaging and then stored under the following conditions: cold and dry storage - CS (8 ± 1.0 °C and 35 ± 1.3% RH), cooled room - CR (18 ± 1.3 °C and 62 ± 4.0% RH), and ambient conditions without climate control - AMB (24 ± 1.8 °C and 68 ± 6.7% RH). At the beginning of storage and at 3, 6, 9, and 12 months, the seeds were evaluated regarding moisture content, germination, first germination count, seedling length, accelerated aging, electrical conductivity, malondialdehyde content, and superoxide dismutase and catalase enzyme activity. Storage under CR conditions, regardless of the packaging, and under AMB conditions in impermeable packaging (plastic) maintained seed germination for up to twelve months, although vigor decreased after nine months. The physiological quality of the seeds stored under AMB conditions in porous packaging (paper) declined from six months on, showing that this condition is unsuitable for storage for 12 months. Under this condition, biochemical changes harmful to seed quality occurred, such as lipid peroxidation and reduction in SOD and CAT enzyme activity. RESUMO: O cultivo do grão-de-bico vem se expandindo no Brasil e definir estratégias adequadas para a sua conservação é fundamental. Objetivou-se avaliar as alterações bioquímicas e fisiológicas em sementes de grão-de-bico armazenadas em diferentes embalagens e condições de ambiente. Sementes da cultivar BRS Aleppo foram acondicionadas em embalagem impermeável (plástico) e permeável (papel) e armazenadas em: câmara fria e seca - CF (8 °C ± 1,0 e 35% UR ± 1,3); sala refrigerada - REF (18 °C ± 1,3 e 62% UR ± 4,0) e ambiente não controlado - AMB (24 °C ± 1,8 e 68% UR ± 6,7). Inicialmente e aos 3, 6, 9 e 12 meses de armazenamento as sementes foram avaliadas quanto ao teor de água, germinação, primeira contagem de germinação, comprimento de plântula, envelhecimento acelerado, condutividade elétrica, conteúdo de malonaldeído e atividade das enzimas superóxido dismutase e catalase. O armazenamento em REF, independente da embalagem, e em AMB na embalagem impermeável (plástico) permitiu manter a germinação por até doze meses, com redução do vigor após nove meses. Houve redução da qualidade fisiológica das sementes armazenadas em AMB em embalagem porosa (papel) a partir de seis meses, sendo essa condição inadequada para o armazenamento por 12 meses, ocorrendo alterações bioquímicas prejudiciais à qualidade das sementes como peroxidação lipídica e redução da atividade das enzimas SOD e CAT.

Weathering deterioration affects seed quality, especially in areas with excessive rainfall. This study aimed to evaluate the oxidative stress, physiological quality, and protein metabolism of seeds of different soybean cultivars under weathering deterioration at the pre-harvest phase. Six soybean cultivars (BMX Apolo, DM 6563, NS 5959, NA 5909, BMX Potência, and TMG 1175) were subjected to simulated rainfall at the R8 stage. Each level was divided into two applications at 72-h intervals: 60 mm (30 + 30), 120 mm (60 + 60), and 180 mm (90 + 90). Then, the seeds were harvested and evaluated for physiological potential, antioxidative enzymes, hydrogen peroxide, malondialdehyde, proteins, and protease activity. The simulated rainfall allowed the variation in seed moisture, promoting a significant reduction in germination and seed vigor, especially at 120 and 180 mm levels. There were also reductions in antioxidative enzyme activity with weathering deterioration (mainly for catalase, ascorbate peroxidase, and peroxidase), accumulation of hydrogen peroxide and malondialdehyde, and reductions in protein content and protease activity. The proposed rainfall system is efficient in inducing weathering deterioration during the pre-harvest phase and its deleterious effects. Weathering deterioration in soybean seeds in the pre-harvest stage is directly influenced by genotype.

Conservation and recovery of degraded areas generate great demand for seeds of native tree species. The development and/or improvement of efficient techniques for the evaluation of forest-seed quality is important for the production and establishment of high-quality seedlings for restoration. In this study, the tissue density of radiographic images of Senna macranthera seeds was related to their physiological quality. Moreover, biomass, carbon stock, seedling survival, and X-ray technique costs were estimated for S. macranthera. Collected seeds were analyzed using digital radiography to measure relative and integrated density. The physical integrity of seed tissues was visually evaluated. Seeds were then germination tested to assess seedling development-related traits. Semiautomated radiography allowed for visualizing internal seed structures and observing their density and physical-integrity differences as well as physiological quality. Moreover, seed lots with lower relative and integrated densities had more physical damage and/or malformation, thus producing less vigorous seedlings. The average carbon stock was 21.42 kg per tree. The seed selection cost was USD 0.0132/seed at an 81% germination rate. The annual cost of planting S. macranthera seedlings was USD 7500 per hectare during the establishment year and averaged USD 1562 per year for replanting lost transplants over the eight years after initial planting. Applying these techniques may enhance the seedling production of this species, contributing to reforestation programs in Brazil.

The use of high-quality seeds is essential in production systems. NIR spectroscopy, combined with chemometric methods, is a promising, rapid, nondestructive, and easy-to-use tool for assessing seed physiological potential. This study aimed to analyze the feasibility of NIR spectroscopy coupled with chemometric methods to detect differences in the physiological quality of canola seeds. Seeds from eight lots of the Nuola 300, Hyola 575, and Diamond cultivars underwent initial characterization tests, seedling length tests, and X-ray analysis. For spectral acquisition, random seed samples were selected, with 12 readings taken for each cultivar. The cultivars were categorized as high (C1) and low (C2) vigor. The spectra were preprocessed using methods such as Multiplicative Scattering Correction (MSC), Standard Normal Variance (SNV), and the first and second Savitzky-Golay derivatives. These data were subsequently used to build classification models using Partial Least Squares Discriminant Analysis (PLS-DA). The model demonstrated high accuracy and kappa coefficients, with the SNV method being the best suited for the dataset. The wavelength regions between 1,004-1,064 nm and 1,698-1,907 nm were the most relevant for distinguishing seed quality levels. Analysis of near-infrared (NIR) spectra, subjected to preprocessing based on derivative methods and dispersion correction, demonstrated high efficiency in detecting variations in the physiological quality levels of canola seeds. RESUMO: O uso de sementes de alta qualidade é essencial em sistemas de produção. A espectroscopia NIR, combinada com métodos quimiométricos, é uma ferramenta promissora, rápida, não destrutiva e fácil de usar para avaliar o potencial fisiológico de sementes. Este estudo teve como objetivo analisar a viabilidade da espectroscopia NIR, acoplada a métodos quimiométricos, para detectar diferenças na qualidade fisiológica de sementes de canola. Sementes de oito lotes das cultivares Nuola 300, Hyola 575 e Diamond foram submetidas a testes iniciais de caracterização, testes de comprimento de plântulas e análise de raios X. Para aquisição espectral, amostras aleatórias de sementes foram selecionadas, com 12 leituras feitas para cada cultivar. As cultivares foram categorizadas em alto (C1) e baixo vigor (C2). Os espectros foram pré-processados usando métodos como Correção de Espalhamento Multiplicativo (MSC), Variável Normal Padrão (SNV) e a primeira e segunda derivadas de Savitzky-Golay. Posteriormente, esses dados foram utilizados para a construção de modelos de classificação por meio da Análise Discriminante por Mínimos Quadrados Parciais (PLS-DA). O modelo apresentou alta precisão e coeficientes kappa, sendo o método SNV que se aplica melhor para o conjunto de dados. As regiões de comprimento de onda entre 1.004-1.064 nm e 1.698-1.907 nm foram as mais relevantes para a distinção dos níveis de qualidade das sementes. A análise dos espectros do infravermelho próximo (NIR), submetidos a pré-processamento com base em métodos derivativos e correção de dispersão, demonstrou alta eficiência na detecção de variações nos níveis de qualidade fisiológica das sementes de canola.

Sweet corn seeds have one or more recessive genes that increase the concentration of sugars in the endosperm at the expense of starch, which contributes to greater susceptibility to deterioration. Therefore, it is important to have rapid and automated methods for assessing their physiological potential. This study aimed to evaluate the efficiency of computerized image analysis of seedlings and near-infrared spectroscopy for assessing the physiological potential of these seeds. Seeds from five lots of the sweet corn cultivars Doce Cristal BR-402 and Superdoce BRS-400 were subjected to tests for initial quality characterization. Using the SAPL® software, the shoot, root, and total seedling lengths, as well as the uniformity, growth, and vigor indices, were determined at 3, 4, 5, and 6 days after sowing. Spectra from individual seeds were also collected using an FT-NIR spectrometer, and the same seeds were evaluated by germination test to validate the technique and obtain predictive models through PLS-DA. The preprocessing methods SNV, MSC, and first- and second-order Savitzky-Golay derivatives were applied. The total seedling and root lengths, as well as vigor indices at 3 and 4 days obtained with SAPL®, allowed differentiation of Doce Cristal BR-402 cultivar seed lots according to vigor. For the Superdoce BRS-400 cultivar, root length at 3 days and the uniformity, growth, and vigor indices at 4 days were efficient for this purpose. Data obtained by FT-NIR enabled a rapid and non-destructive estimation of the physiological potential of sweet corn seed lots, especially using the second Savitzky-Golay derivative.

Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) cultivation in Brazil has expanded as a winter or second-crop option, increasing demand for superior quality seeds. This study evaluated physiological performance, biochemical parameters and storability of BRS Aleppo seeds harvested at different maturation stages. Field production was performed at DAA/UFV from April to September 2020. Harvests were carried out at stages R11, R11.5, R12 and R12+7 (with 50%, 75% and 90% of pods with golden-yellow color and seven days after R12, respectively). The seeds were sealed in paper bags and stored at 23 °C ± 1.8 and 66% RH. At 0, 3, 6 and 9 months, samples were evaluated for seed moisture content, germination, accelerated aging, seedling emergence, tetrazolium test, activity of antioxidant enzymes (CAT and APX) and protein content. Chickpea seeds with higher physiological quality and storage potential were obtained when harvesting was carried out at the R11.5 and R12 stages, equivalent to 75% and 90% of the pods with golden-yellow color, respectively. Harvest delay (R12+7) reduced seed germination, vigor and storage potential, also reducing protein content and activity of APX and CAT enzymes. Storage under laboratory environment conditions for nine months reduces physiological quality of seeds, regardless of the harvest time.

The definition of methodologies that allow evaluating the physiological potential of chickpea seeds is important to ensure the commercialization of lots with high performance. Thus, this research aimed to determine the most suitable conditions for conducting the electrical conductivity test in chickpea seeds to classify lots according to vigor level. Therefore, seeds from five lots of cultivar BRS Aleppo and four lots of cultivar Cícero were subjected to tests to characterize their initial quality and the results were compared with those obtained in the electrical conductivity test. To assess electrical conductivity, five soaking periods (2, 4, 8, 12, and 24 hours) were combined with four volumes of water (75, 100, 150, and 250 mL) at 25 °C temperature. The results show that the electrical conductivity test is efficient in evaluating the physiological potential of chickpea seeds, providing information equivalent to other vigor tests. For the electrical conductivity test, it is recommended to use 50 seeds soaked in 150 mL of water, for 24 h, at 25 °C. Resumo: A definição de metodologias que permitam avaliar o potencial fisiológico das sementes de grão-de-bico é importante para assegurar a comercialização de lotes com alto desempenho em campo. Assim, objetivou-se determinar as condições mais adequadas para a condução do teste de condutividade elétrica em sementes de grão-de-bico visando a classificação de lotes quanto ao vigor. Para tanto, sementes de cinco lotes da cultivar BRS Aleppo e de quatro lotes da cultivar Cícero foram submetidas a diferentes testes para a caracterização da sua qualidade inicial e os resultados comparados com os obtidos no teste de condutividade. Para avaliar a condutividade elétrica, 5 períodos de embebição (2, 4, 8, 12 e 24 horas) foram combinados a 4 volumes de água (75, 100, 150 e 250 mL) sob a temperatura de 25 °C. O teste de condutividade elétrica é eficiente para a avaliação do potencial fisiológico de sementes de grão-de-bico fornecendo informações equivalentes a outros testes de vigor. Para a condução do teste de condutividade elétrica recomenda-se a utilização de 50 sementes imersas em 150 mL de água, por 24 horas, a 25 °C.

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. Resumo: Métodos não-destrutivos e de alto desempenho têm sido desenvolvidos para avaliação da qualidade de sementes. O objetivo deste estudo foi relacionar parâmetros obtidos a partir da análise gratuita e automatizada de radiografias digitais de sementes de melão híbrido com o seu potencial fisiológico. Foram utilizadas amostras de sementes comerciais de três cultivares híbridas de melão (Cucumis melo L.), cada uma representada por três lotes. Foram obtidas imagens radiográficas das sementes, das quais foram geradas determinações de área, perímetro, circularidade, densidade relativa, densidade integrada e preenchimento da cavidade interna de sementes, por meio de uma macro (PhenoxXray) desenvolvida para o software ImageJ®. Após o teste de raios-X, as sementes foram submetidas ao teste de germinação, a partir do qual foram obtidas variáveis relacionadas à qualidade fisiológica. Observou-se variabilidade entre lotes para as características físicas e fisiológicas. Os resultados demonstraram que o uso da macro PhenoXray permite a fenotipagem em larga escala das radiografias de sementes de maneira simples, rápida, consistente e totalmente gratuita. A metodologia é eficiente na obtenção de dados morfométricos e de integridade tecidual em sementes de melão, e os parâmetros gerados apresentam estreita relação com atributos fisiológicos da qualidade das sementes.