X-rays for determination of papaya seeds viability

ABSTRACT This study investigated the effectiveness of using the X-ray technique to assess the viability of papaya seeds. The X-ray images were performed in eight replicates of 25 seeds, placed on transparent acrylic plates on double-sided adhesive tape, previously identified, and then submitted to radiation in X-ray equipment "HP Faxitron". After exposure to X-ray radiation, the seeds were submitted to the germination test in rolls of germitest paper and kept in a germination chamber at 20-30 °C for 30 days. Seedlings were photographed and evaluated as normal seedlings, abnormal and non-germinated seeds. Afterward, the X-ray images and the seedlings from the same seeds were visually compared, and the X-ray images clearly showed seeds with and without internal filling. All abnormal seedlings were full seeds; therefore, X-ray images were not able to separate normal and abnormal. A 100% accuracy was verified by comparing the X-ray images and their respective seedlings, full seeds originated normal or abnormal seedlings, and empty seeds corresponded to non-germinated seeds. Therefore, using X-ray images is a promising technique to identify the viability of papaya seeds. The automated analysis of X-ray images is a simple, fast, and efficient technique to provide information on seed viability and generate parameters related to their germination capacity.