A novel noninvasive procedure for high‐throughput screening of major seed traits

Abstract

SummaryThe large numbers of samples processed in breeding and biodiversity programmes require the development of efficient methods for the nondestructive evaluation of basic seed properties. Near-infrared spectroscopy is the state-of-the-art solution for this analytical demand, but it also has some limitations. Here, we present a novel, rapid, accurate procedure based on time domain-nuclear magnetic resonance (TD-NMR), designed to simultaneously quantify a number of basic seed traits without any seed destruction. Using a low-field, benchtop 1 H-NMR instrument, the procedure gives a high-accuracy measurement of oil content (R 2 = 0.98), carbohydrate content (R 2 = 0.99), water content (R 2 = 0.98) and both fresh and dry weight of seeds/grains (R 2 = 0.99). The method requires a minimum of~20 mg biomass per sample and thus enables to screen individual, intact seeds. When combined with an automated sample delivery system, a throughput of~1400 samples per day is achievable. The procedure has been trialled as a proof of concept on cereal grains (collection of~3000 accessions of Avena spp. curated at the IPK genebank). A mathematical multitrait selection approach has been designed to simplify the selection of outlying (most contrasting) accessions. To provide deeper insights into storage oil topology, some oat accessions were further analysed by three-dimensional seed modelling and lipid imaging. We conclude that the novel TD-NMR-based screening tool opens perspectives for breeding and plant biology in general.

phenoSeeder - A Robot System for Automated Handling and Phenotyping of Individual Seeds

“…5, option 6), however, would need only pick and place, which is much faster. To monitor different traits of interest beyond morphological ones, additional sensors could be implemented: near-infrared spectroscopy to analyze the chemical content of seeds (Agelet and Hurburgh, 2014); chlorophyll fluorescence to score seed maturity and performance (Jalink et al, 1998); spectral imaging to classify common wheat (Triticum aestivum) and durum wheat (Triticum durum; Benoit et al, 2016); low-field NMR to measure both solid and liquid parts of a seed, as demonstrated for growing bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) pods (Windt and Blümler, 2015), or chemical components, such as lipids, carbohydrates, and proteins (Rolletschek et al, 2015); or x-ray CT to image internal seed structures, allowing, for example, the detection of internal defects of seeds (Stuppy et al, 2003;Belin et al, 2011;Yamauchi et al, 2012;Verboven et al, 2013). Further developments of phenoSeeder can be followed at www.phenoseeder.de.…”

“…This might be true even when considering that the type of reserves, such as proteins, carbohydrates, or lipids (Rolletschek et al, 2015), and also different seed tissues, such as seed coat, embryo, or endosperm, may contribute differently to seed mass (Alonso-Blanco et al, 1999). While seed mass and time to germination (radicle protrusion) do not necessarily correlate (Norden et al, 2009), in particular under greenhouse conditions, higher seed mass may be advantageous for seedling establishment under adverse environmental conditions (Moles et al, 2005).…”

“…on fruits and seed; Friis et al, 2014). Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) methods are used to measure water uptake in kidney beans (Phaseolus vulgaris) and adzuki beans (Vigna angularis; Kikuchi et al, 2006) or to estimate seed weight and content (Borisjuk et al, 2011;Rolletschek et al, 2015) rather than volumes. To our best knowledge, affordable methods to measure seed volumes directly are not achievable so far.…”

Advancing the science of wheat quality evaluation using nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and ultrasound‐based techniques

“…The use of high-field NMR to screen seeds and grains based on their quality characteristics, that is, protein content and quality, is not always feasible due to complicated procedures required for sample preparation as well as the cost of the required instruments (Gouilleux, Marchand, Charrier, Remaud, & Giraudeau, 2018;Marcone et al, 2013). This technique has been mostly used for quality characterization and screening of oilseeds (Horn et al, 2011;Melchinger et al, 2017Melchinger et al, , 2018Pedersen, Munck, & Engelsen, 2000), although a few studies have been conducted to examine the possibility of using LF-NMR for cereal screening (Brusewitz & Stone, 1987;Rolletschek et al, 2015). This technique has been mostly used for quality characterization and screening of oilseeds (Horn et al, 2011;Melchinger et al, 2017Melchinger et al, , 2018Pedersen, Munck, & Engelsen, 2000), although a few studies have been conducted to examine the possibility of using LF-NMR for cereal screening (Brusewitz & Stone, 1987;Rolletschek et al, 2015).…”

FoodPro: A Web-Based Tool for Evaluating Covariance and Correlation NMR Spectra Associated with Food Processes

“…Namely, a database focusing on the accumulation of NMR spectra from various food processing sources has not been constructed till date. Therefore, we have started developing such a database using bench-top-type NMR with the intended future aim of in situ characterization at various production sites [24,25,26,27,28,29]. Simultaneously, we have accumulated subjective human data accompanied by physical property data.…”