Analysis of morphometric and optical parameters of seeds of the subgenus cepa (<i>Allium</i> L., Alliaceae) by digital scanning

Abstract

The results of the study of seed morphology from the subgenus Cepa: section Cepa (Mill.) Prokh. - Allium fistulosum L., A. altaiсum Pall., A. galanthum Kar. & Kir., A. oschaninii O. Fedtsch., A. pskemense B. Fedtsch.; section Schoenoprasum Dum. - A. altyncoliсum , A. ledebourianum , A. oliganthum , A. schoenoprasum L.; section Condensatum N. Friesen - A. condensatum are presented. Morphological characters of seeds can be used as additional taxonomic indicators in the identification and distinction of taxa within the subgenus Cepa of the genus Allium . The seeds were 2.74-3.50 mm long and 1.33-2.14 mm wide. The morphometric and optical parameters of seeds were measured by analyzing images using software. Digital images of seeds were obtained using an HP Scanjet 200 digital flatbed scanner, 600 dpi resolution, JPG file format. Morphometric and optical parameters of seeds were determined, including projection area (cm 2 ), length, width, perimeter, mean size (mm), average feret diameter, factors of roundness, elongation, ellipse, indentation (relative units), parameters of brightness, tonality, color saturation (relative units). According to the results of the study, a series of distribution of species in descending order for each of the studied traits are formed. Within the Cepa section, A. pskemense seeds had the maximum linear size, perimeter, and cross-sectional area. Among the representatives of Schoenoprasum section, the maximum length of the seeds was found in A. altyncoliсum . Maximum width, perimeter, cross-sectional area, average feret diameter of the seeds were recorded in A. ledebourianum . In the Cepa section, the average RGB value in descending order was as follows: A. pskemense > A. galanthum > A. fistulosum > altaiсum > A. oschaninii . In the Schoenoprasum section this series has the form: A. schoenoprasum > A. ledebourianum > A. altyncoliсum > A. oliganthum .