Vigor-S, a new system for evaluating the physiological potential of maize seeds

Abstract

The refinement of vigor tests and the possibility of utilizing computer resources for the effective evaluation of the seed physiological potential have attracted considerable interest from research and seed technologists. The aim of this study was to evaluate the physiological potential of maize seeds using the newly-created Automated Analysis of Seed Vigor System (Vigor-S) compared with other recommended seed vigor tests; two maize hybrids were used, each represented by seven seed lots. Germination and vigor (cold test, saturated salt accelerated aging, and field seedling emergence) evaluations were conducted. For the evaluation of seed vigor with the use of seedling image analysis resources, two systems were compared: the Seed Vigor Imaging System (SVIS ® ), developed by Ohio State University, USA and the Vigor-S, resulting from collaboration between USP/ESALQ and EMBRAPA (Embrapa Instrumentation). Using these two systems, three day old seedlings were scanned and the images were analyzed.Similar results for the vigor index, uniformity of development, and seedling length were obtained.The computerized image analysis of seedlings using Vigor-S has advantages with respect to accuracy, speed, and the possibility of automatic application to a worksheet. It is a consistent alternative for the evaluation of maize seed vigor, and produces information compatible with that obtained by the accelerated aging test and SVIS ® .

Assessing the physiological quality of common bean seeds using the Vigor-S® system and its relation to the accelerated aging test

“…Seedling image analysis is generally made by spatial processing, where the position and the color of the pixels are analyzed, using extraction algorithms for this purpose (Brunes et al, 2016). The technique stands out through its greater accuracy, standardization, objectivity, and speed in obtaining consistent results (Castan et al, 2018).…”

“…Vigor-S® is based on evaluation of seed vigor from seedling performance through acquisition of the primary root length, hypocotyl length, and total seedling length data, as well as the root/ hypocotyl ratio and parameters based on growth rate and uniformity. An additional important advantage is that the Vigor-S® system is free for general use by private seed companies, by seed laboratories, and for academic purposes (Castan et al, 2018).…”

“…The use of software that employs the seedling image analysis technique to make inferences regarding seed quality has been studied and recommended for various species, such as squash (Silva et al, 2017), onion (Gonçalves et al, 2017), carrot (Marchi and Cicero, 2017), crambe (Leão-Araújo et al, 2017), soybean (Medeiros and Pereira, 2018;Wendt et al, 2017), common bean (Gomes-Junior et al, 2014), and maize (Castan et al, 2018), among others. However, there is not yet information that shows the effectiveness of Vigor-S® for evaluating common bean seed vigor (Phaseolus vulgaris L.).…”

Digital images of seedling for evaluating coffee seed vigor

“…Likewise, in seeds of soybean (Marcos-Filho et al, 2009), peanuts (Marchi et al, 2011), and sweet corn (Alvarenga et al, 2012), the results from the SVIS ® analysis were consistent with those provided by the accelerated aging test. In many other plants, such as corn (Hoffmaster et al, 2005;Castan et al, 2018), cucumber (Chiquito et al, 2012), bean (Gomes-Junior et al, 2014), and pearl millet (Javorski et al, 2018), the computer imaging of seedlings was also efficient in evaluating the vigor of seed lots.…”

“…On that account, the analysis of seedling growth through computer-aided methods has become more frequent in appraising seed vigor. Among the recent technologies used for such purpose, the Seed Vigor Imaging System (SVIS ® ), proposed by Sako et al (2001), and the Automated Analysis of Seed Vigor System (Vigor-S ® ), used by Castan et al (2018), are prominent alternatives. Both processes are based on the imaging of seedlings by a scanning device, followed by the post-evaluation through some specialized software.…”