Near infrared spectroscopy and seedling image analysis to evaluate the physiological potential of Urochloa decumbens (Stapf) R.D. Webster seeds

Abstract

The demand for techniques that make it possible to assess the physiological potential of seeds quickly and assertively make near-infrared spectroscopy (FT-NIR) and seedling analysis using ILASTIK software promising tools. The aim of this study was to evaluate the physiological potential of Urochloa decumbens seeds using near-infrared spectroscopy (FT-NIR) and ILASTIK software. Seeds from 10 lots of U. decumbens were classified according to their physiological potential (germination and vigor) and then FT-NIR spectra were obtained from individual seed samples, the original spectra being pre-processed with different dispersion correction methods used for the construction of a classification model through partial least squares discriminant analysis (PSL-DA). For the ILASTIK evaluation, the seedlings were photographed at 7 and 14 days of germination and the trained classifier was applied to the images, generating data on the numbers of strong seedlings, weak seedlings and non-germinated seeds. With data from the FT-NIR technique pre-processed by the 2nd derivative of Savitzky-Golay, it was possible to obtain a classification model with high efficiency to discriminate the classes regarding the physiological potential of the seeds. ILASTIK was efficient to classify seeds according to their physiological potential after only 7 days of germination. FT-NIR and ILASTIK analyses are non-destructive and fast alternatives, with great potential for quality control of U. decumbens seed lots.