Quantitative Size Measurements Research Articles

Classification of Canadian oat cultivars by quantifying the size–shape of their 'seeds': a step towards automatic identification

A series of quantitative measurements were obtained from the upper and lower seeds of various Canadian oat cultivars, the aim being to determine if such measurements could be used to discriminate among cultivars. Although the measurements were obtained manually, the system of measurement was developed with the view to automatic recording by scanning devices. The study involved 206 samples of 15 cultivars grown in Canada, taken from different provinces and from different breeding categories (foundation, select, registered, certified). The data consisted of about 90 thousand measurements. Two observers were used, though only some of the samples were processed by both. Comparisons between observers indicated the presence of a strong subjective influence in the measurements of one observer; the data from this observer were left out of subsequent analyses. There was evidence of substantial differences among the size–shapes of the cultivars, enough to suggest that most cultivars could be differentiated on the basis of these measurements alone. The results of the study reflect not only the potential of size–shape in identifying cultivars but also the importance of developing objective methods of obtaining the measurements. The differences in measurements between observers stress the need for accurate methods of data gathering. Because quantitative measurements of size–shape can be obtained readily by scanning devices, they may have considerable value in comprehensive schemes for cultivar identification or quality control.