Image analysis of the seeds and seedlings of Vigna radiata L

ABSTRACT In a griculture it is essential to use high-quality seeds capable of expressing their maximum vigour. Image analysis has been used to assess the quality of seed batches. The aim of this study was to characterise seedling growth in the mung bean and the external morphology of the seeds using image analysis, and identify the morphological characteristics associated with high physiological potential. The trial was conducted using two accessions of the mung bean (yellow and green). The 1000-seed weight and germination test were carried out in an initial characterisation. Using image analysis, the following parameters were evaluated in the seeds: area, perimeter, colour, circularity, length and width. In the seedlings, the length and dry matter of the shoots and root system were evaluated together with the total dry matter. A germination of 100% and 89.5%, and 1000-seed weight of 54.91 g and 35.49 g were found for the yellow and green mung beans. In the yellow mung bean, the largest seeds showed a direct relationship with the other morphological parameters of the seeds in addition to a strong relationship between the length of the shoots and the root system. In the green mung bean, there was a direct relationship between seed area and perimeter, length, width and colour; however, the best seedling performance was found in the smaller seeds. The use of image analysis makes it possible to identify seeds of greater physiological potential, which allows more-vigorous batches of mung bean seeds to be selected.