Vigor de sementes de girassol pela análise computadorizada de plântulas

Abstract

The Seed Vigor Imaging System (SVIS™) has stood out for being both fast and efficient to evaluate the physiological potential of seeds of various species. The test evaluates the vigor of seeds by means of parameters related to seedlings growth and uniformity which are calculated from the processing of digital images of the germination test. The objective of this study was to verify the accuracy of the computerized system for seedling image evaluation for the determination of sunflower seed vigor. Six recently harvested sunflower seed lots (cultivar Helio 251) were submitted to the germination, emergence, accelerated aging, tetrazolium, and sanitary tests. The (SVIS™) supplied reference data concerning vigor index, seedling uniformity, growth, and length for seedlings scanned 2 and 3 days after the start of the test. The six lot seeds were evaluated at harvest and after four months of storage under conventional conditions (25 ± 2 °C). The results of computerized analysis of images of seedling resulting from a germination test are not compatible with the results of the tests used in this experiment to evaluate sunflower seed physiological quality.