Abstract
ABSTRACT The use of new methodological approaches and inclusion of non-destructive evaluations in determining the quality of forest seeds has proven to be of great importance for the development of forest production. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of the use of a semi-automated tool for measurement of digital images obtained by the X-ray test in seed lots of Leucaena leucocephala and their relationship to seed physiological quality. Seeds were collected from five mother trees in Viçosa, MG. The study was performed through analysis of radiographic images of the seeds. It was determined the percentage of damaged seeds (predation and fungi) and measured: the area, perimeter, circularity, relative density, and integrated density of the seeds. After the X-ray test, a germination test was performed on the seeds, from which ten variables related to seed physiological quality were extracted, including a vigor index. The use of semi-automated measurement tools associated with the X-ray test was effective for evaluating the internal morphology of Leucaena leucocephala seeds, and the variables determined are related to seed physiological quality.
Highlights
Leucaena leucocephala is a tree species widely distributed throughout Brazil
The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of the use of a semi-automated tool for measurement of digital images obtained by the X-ray test in seed lots of Leucaena leucocephala and their relationship to seed physiological quality
Regarding seed physiological quality (Table 1), differences in germination and normal seedlings were identified between lots 1 and 3, and lot 3 had the lowest performance; it did not differ from lots 4 and 5
Summary
Leucaena leucocephala is a tree species widely distributed throughout Brazil. It is naturally resistant to most biotic and abiotic stresses (Honda et al, 2018) and has important ecological value because it contributes to improvement of the soil upon fixing nitrogen and controlling erosion in arid regions (Yige et al, 2012). The main tests that evaluate seed quality are described by the Rules for Seed Analysis (Brasil, 2009) and vigor manuals of the Brazilian Seed Technology Association [Associação Brasileira de Tecnologia de Sementes] (Krzyananowski et al, 1999). Most of these analyses are time consuming and destructive, which can be considered expensive in the seed trade, involving production and sale of seeds and, after that, seedling production (Noronha et al, 2018)
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