Radiographic analysis and performance of coffee seeds

Heiber Andres Trujillo,Idemauro Antonio Rodrigues De Lara,Silvio Moure Cicero,Francisco Guilhien Gomes-Junior

doi:10.1590/2317-1545v41n4221804

Heiber Andres Trujillo, Idemauro Antonio Rodrigues De Lara + Show 2 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1590/2317-1545v41n4221804

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Abstract

Abstract: Radiographic analysis has been efficient in identifying the main changes in the internal morphology of seeds, being increasingly used in quality control programs due to their practicality, objectivity and speed in obtaining the results. Despite these advantages, there are still no studies proving the efficiency of these techniques for coffee seed analysis. Thereby, the aim of this research was to evaluate the internal morphology of coffee seeds (Coffea arabicaL.) through the analysis of radiographic images and their relation with germination performance. Radiographic images of seeds of the cultivars Bourbon and Catucaí 20/15, each represented by six lots, were examined and the seeds were seeded and seedling emergence, shoot length, stem diameter and shoot dry mass were evaluated. Seeds of Bourbon presented high percentage of intact seeds, as well as better performance in the germination of the lots compared to Catucaí 20/15, which presented more incidence of damaged seeds and lower germination. The radiographic images allowed identifying seeds with malformations, tissue deterioration and damage caused by the coffee borer. This non-destructive imaging technique is efficient in identifying intact seeds, with potential to germinate and produce vigorus seedlings.

Highlights

The coffee belongs to the family Rubiaceae and to the genus Coffea, which is represented by about 70 species, involving Coffea arabica L
3Departamento de Produção Vegetal, USP/ESALQ – Piracicaba, SP, Brasil. 4Departmento de Ciências Exatas, USP/ESALQ – Piracicaba, SP, Brasil. 5Corresponding author . Such as the occurrence of malformations, damage caused by tissue deterioration and injuries caused by the coffee borer, which can reflect in loss to the physiological potential
The aim of this research was to evaluate the internal morphology of coffee seeds (Coffea arabica L.), by means of the analysis of radiographic images, and its relation with the germinative performance

Summary

Introduction

The coffee belongs to the family Rubiaceae and to the genus Coffea, which is represented by about 70 species, involving Coffea arabica L. Often coffee seeds present problems related to changes in internal morphology, such as the occurrence of malformations, damage caused by tissue deterioration and injuries caused by the coffee borer, which can reflect in loss to the physiological potential. Changes related to tissue deterioration mainly correspond to the interaction of the seeds with the environmental conditions and the processes in which they are submitted. Factors such as high relative humidity of the air favor the incidence of pathogens, mainly fungi, which cause the deterioration of the tissues (Rosa et al, 2005). The insect female pierces the fruit and deposits its eggs in a gallery built on the endosperm of the seed; both larvae and adults cause damage to fruits and seeds (Damon, 2000)

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