Viable Seeds Research Articles

Physiological and biochemical analysis of peanut seeds (Arachis hypogaea) after storage using silica gel

Peanuts contain high enough nutrients, especially protein and fat. The high fat and protein content in peanut seeds causes deteriorate faster during storage. Special treatment is required to reduce the deterioration. This study aimed to analyze the physiological and biochemical responses of peanut seeds after being stored using silica gel 120 days. This research used a completely randomized design and used the Pearson correlation test. Seeds were stored with different dosages of silica gels: control, 10gr, 20gr, and 30gr. The observed variables consisted of maximum growth potential, germination percentage, vigor index, relative growth speed, growth uniformity, seed water content, fat, and protein seeds. The results showed that storage using silica gel dosage had a significant response on maximum growth potential, germination percentage, vigor index, relative growth speed, and growth uniformity. Using silica gel treatment with a dose of 30g showed better seed viability and vigor values than other treatments. Based on the results of the correlation analysis of seed protein content, there was a strong correlation in the viability and vigor of seeds.

Germination niche of a neotropical dry forest species: seed osmotic stress and recovery

Abstract: Erythrina velutina Willd is a native Fabaceae with wide occurrence, mainly in the Caatinga Domain with multiple uses. This study aimed to compare the vulnerability/tolerance of seeds of four accessions of E. velutina to osmotic stresses. Four replications were conducted with 25 seeds, germinated in osmotic solutions of NaCl or PEG up to -1.73 MPa. Seeds that did not germinate after 14 days were recovered in distilled water. Obtained data were fitted in Boltzmann curves and t50 and synchrony were evaluated. A probit analysis was performed, and hydrotime and halotime models were constructed. In distilled water, the germination curve was similar for all accessions. When the concentration of salt or PEG in the substrate increased, the accessions differentiated into two groups. Two accessions - Jutaí 2012 and Jutaí 2015 - maintained high germination up to -0.86 MPa NaCl, while Caboclo 2008 and Caiçara 2011 accessions presented a lower germination speed. The hydrotime and halotime analyses separated the germination response of accessions according to their physiological quality and tolerance to osmotic and saline conditions. Seeds viability was maintained at both stresses, since germination was reestablished at distilled water, thus constituting a crucial response for this species’ survival and conservation.

SEED VIABILITY, GERMINATION, AND SEEDLING GROWTH OF CAPSICUM CULTIVATED SPECIES

Seed viability of domesticated and cultivated Capsicum species: Capsicum annuum L., Capsicum baccatum L., Capsicum chinense Jacq., Capsicum frutescens L., and Capsicum pubescens Ruiz and Pav. was tested by the tetrazolium method. The seeds were soaked in three tetrazolium salt solutions of 1, 0.5 and 0.2%, and temperature conditions of 30 - 35 C for 3 h. The percentage of seeds stained in relation to the total number of seeds was evaluated. To estimate germination, the seeds were subjected to chemical treatments with gibberellic acid (GA3) at doses of 0, 100, 200, 300, and 400 mg L-1 at room temperature for 24 h. The germination rate was estimated, while plant height was evaluated at 10, 20 and, 30 days after sowing (DAS). Capsicum seed viability fluctuated between 52.44% and 97.11%. The highest percentage of viability was obtained with the 1% dose of tetrazolium (81.63%), while the 0.2% dose resulted in the lowest average value (63.7%). In addition, C. annuum, C. baccatum and C. chinense showed high staining patterns, while most of the observed patterns in C. frutescens corresponded to non-viable seeds. After GA3 application, average seed germination was 100% in C. chinense; 75.6% in C. baccatum; 73.32% in C. annuum; and 61.5% in C. frutescens. However, the application of GA3 did not cause an additional effect on the germination of Capsicum seeds. The highest plant height at 30 DAS was observed in accessions of C. annuum (9.08 cm), while C. chinense presented the lowest value (4.49 cm).

Effects of biopesticides extracted with a homemade solvent on stored maize protection

Abstract Synthetic chemicals continue to play an important role in reducing storage losses attributable to insect pest activities. However, the adverse effects associated with some patented chemicals make synthetic pesticides less attractive and have given the drive to search for alternative methods of pest control. This study evaluated the effects of a traditional gin, akpeteshie crude extracts made of four timber species, neem (Azadirachta indica), mahogany (Khaya senegalensis), teak (Tectona grandis) and cedrela (Cedrela odorata) on the maize weevil Sitophilus zeamais on stored maize grains in the laboratory. Home-made extracts of the test tree plants at concentrations of 0.5, 1.0 and 2% were tested as grain protectants or as insect poisons. All tested extracts in their respective concentrations performed well in the reduction of live insects during maize storage as compared to a non-extract treatment. The mode of action of all the extracts was generally concentration and time-dependent. On average neem extract was the most effective followed by mahogany, teak, and cedrela in that order. Neem and mahogany extracts performed well in reducing grain damage at a concentration of 2% and at 0.5% concentration of cedrela extract respectively. All extracts reduced progeny emergence and acted both as a repellent or a toxicant. The extracts performed better as compared to the untreated control in the viability of maize seeds leading to germination, and subsequent seedling emergence. The relatively low weight loss of the stored grains treated with these crude extracts during the 90-day experimental period at a maximum concentration of 2% is predictive that they can be adopted as safe and alternative grain protectants against weevils in store. The unknown phytochemicals in these akpeteshie hardwood extracts may be responsible for the insecticidal properties against the weevils. For some concentrations of the extracts, germination was inconsistent which led to the suspicion of allelopathy.

Prediction of methyl orange dye (MO) adsorption using activated carbon with an artificial neural network optimization modeling

In this study, methyl orange (MO) dye removal by adsorption utilizing activated carbon made from date seeds (DPAC) was modeled using an artificial neural network (ANN) technique. Instrumental investigations such as X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) analysis were used to assess the physicochemical parameters of adsorbent. By changing operational parameters including adsorbent dosage (0.01–0.03 g), solution pH 3–8, initial dye concentration (5–20 mg/L), and contact time (2–60 min), the viability of date seeds for the adsorptive removal of methyl orange dye from aqueous solution was assessed in a batch procedure. The system followed the pseudo 2nd order kinetic model for DPAC adsorbent, according to the kinetic study (R2 = 0.9973). The mean square error (MSE), relative root mean square error (RRMSE), root mean square error (RMSE), mean absolute percentage error (MAPE), relative error (RE), and correlation coefficient (R2) were used to measure the ANN model performance. The maximum RE was 8.24% for the ANN model. Two isotherm models, Langmuir and Freundlich, were studied to fit the equilibrium data. Compared with the Freundlich isotherm model (R2 = 0.72), the Langmuir model functioned better as an adsorption isotherm with R2 of 0.9902.Thus, this study demonstrates that the dye removal process can be predicted using an ANN technique, and it also suggests that adsorption onto DPAC may be employed as a main treatment for dye removal from wastewater.

Assessment of seed quality parameters in fruit rot infected seeds of brinjal caused by Phomopsis vexans and development of eco-friendly management for quality seed production

Phomopsis vexans is an important seed-borne pathogen and it is highly detrimental to brinjal crop. Among seventeen brinjal genotypes studied for the effect of fruit rot on the seed quality parameters using infected and healthy seeds, the germination percentage of infected seeds is relatively lower than the healthy seeds. The reduction in germination percentage of diseased seeds varied between 14 to 67%. Seed quality parameters like germination and vigour were negatively correlated and the electrical conductivity was positively correlated with fruit rot incidence. This shows that a higher incidence of pathogens will lower the viability and vigour of seeds and the infection level is also dependent on genotype and the environmental condition. The three known biocontrol agents were analyzed by using the dual culture technique for the antagonistic effect on the pathogens. The results showed that out of three biocontrol agents, Trichoderma harzianum showed maximum antagonistic effect followed by Pseudomonas fluorescence and Bacillus subtilis. Different modes of action like mycoparasitism, competition, antibiosis and production of antibiotics and secondary metabolites like harzianiol may act as inhibitors against Phomopsis vexans.

Substantiation of the weed control system when placing grain production in microzones of the Central Chernozem region

The most important link in modern farming systems is the protection of crops from weeds. Only by taking effective measures to reduce the weediness of crops one can get a high yield of cultivated crops and high-quality products. On a field or plot with high weediness all other agricultural activities aimed at increasing crop yields will be ineffective. When planning for weed control, the grower must give priority to preventive and organizational measures. It is much easier to prevent weeding of agricultural land than to try to weed an already weeded area. Preventive measures include: seed cleaning; preparation of feed for feeding, allowing them to be cleaned of viable weed seeds; preparation of organic fertilizers (manure, composts) before applying them to the fields. An important measure that reduces the weediness of fields is the destruction of weeds on lands adjacent to fields: on unused plots, field edges, roadsides, edges of forest belts. Cleaning of weed seeds from wastes is necessary by means of agricultural machines and vehicles, as well as by means of containers.

ОПЫТ СОЗДАНИЯ ИСКУССТВЕННОЙ ПОПУЛЯЦИИ GLOBULARIA PUNCTATA LAPEYR. (GLOBULARIACEAE) В РЕСПУБЛИКЕ БАШКОРТОСТАН

The article considers the possibility of creating a long-term and self-sustaining artificial population of Globularia punctata Lapeyr. outside the natural area. The species was introduced into the Natural Botanical Garden (NBG) in the Republic of Bashkortostan (the natural monument "Mount Gurovskaya" in the Kushnarenkovsky district) by sowing seeds in 2012. The introduced experiments in the NBG showed the possibility of creating a long-term artificial population of G. punctata. In the experiment, annual flowering of plants with the formation of viable seeds is observed. The artificial coenopopulation of G. punctata is self-sustaining by self-seeding and increases in number and area. The comparison of the ontogenetic structure and the biometric indicators of plants of natural and artificial cenopopulations showed that they do not have significant differences. In the future, the seed material obtained in NBG can be used for reintroduction work in critical natural populations of G. punctata.

Perspectives for the conservation of rare species of the genus Potentilla L. (Rosaceae) of the flora of the Republic of Bashkortostan

The article presents the results of the primary introduction experience of rare species of the genus Potentilla L. (Rosaceae Juss.) of the flora of the Republic of Bashkortostan. There are 5 rare species in the collection: the Pleistocene relic species Potentilla agrimonioides Bieb., P. arenosa (Turcz.) Juz., P. nivea L., the South Ural endemic P. eversmanniana Fisch. ex Ledeb., the Ural endemic P. kuznetzowii (Govor.) Juz. These species are included in the Red Data Book of the Republic of Bashkortostan (2021). In the collection, each species is represented by one sample. The mobilization was carried out by seeds from natural populations. Species of the genus Potentilla were grown in monoculture in the introduction nursery of the Ufa Institute of Biology. Plants go through a full cycle of annual development of shoots and give viable seeds (except P. arenosa). According to the scale of introduction resistance proposed by N.V. Trulevich (1991), under cultivation in the forest-steppe zone of the republic, P. agrimonioides and P. kuznetzowii are resistant species, P. eversmanniana and P. nivea are weakly resistant, P. arenosa is unstable species.

Влияние основных приемов и способов возделывания ярового ячменя на площадь ассимиляционной поверхности и индекс листовой поверхности посевов в почвенно-климатических условиях Курской области

Purpose: to determine the influence of the cultivar, seeding rate and application of mineral fertilizers when cultivating spring barley on the assimilation surface area of one plant and the leaf surface index of crops according to the crop growth phases in the soil and climatic conditions of Kursk region. Materials and methods. The studies were conducted in 2022 and 2023 in the field experience at Federal Agricultural Kursk Research Center in grain-fallow crop rotation. The experimental scheme includes the study of three cultivars – Suzdalets, Prometheus, Despina. The second factor is seeding rates: 3, 4, 5, 6 million units of viable seeds per 1 ha. The third factor is the levels of mineral fertilization: control without fertilizers and N₃₀P₃₀K₃₀. Results. It was found that the assimilation surface area of one spring barley plant in the seedling stage depended to a greater extent on the cultivar (by 40 %), and it also increased under the influence of mineral fertilization (by 16 %). The leaf area index of spring barley in the seedling stage depended by 89 % on the seeding rate. During the tillering stage, the leaf area depended by 72 % on the year conditions. Research during the crop blooming stage revealed that the main factor influencing the assimilation surface area and leaf area index was the year of study (31 and 44 %, respectively), the cultivar factor provided 23 and 27 % of the indicator variation, respectively, and the mineral fertilization – 20 and 30 %, respectively. During the milk-ripe stage, due to the leaves dying off, a decrease in the photosynthetic parameters of spring barley is observed. Conclusion. It has been determined that the assimilation surface area of one plant and the leaf area index are very dynamic indicators and largely depend on the year of research, the cultivar and the mineral fertilization. During the initial period of crop growth, the leaf area index is affected by the seed application rate.

Recruitment of Melaleuca quinquenervia (Myrtaceae) in the fringing forests of the Myall Lakes, NSW, Australia

Context Melaleuca quinquenervia is a widespread, keystone species of eastern Australian coastal forested wetlands. Populations of M. quinquenervia in the fringes of Myall Lakes, New South Wales, Australia exhibit low numbers of juveniles, infrequent recruitment and a dominance of mature individuals, raising concerns about stand replacement from conservation managers. In contrast, M. quinquenervia often recruits in large numbers and is highly invasive in wetlands around the world. Aims To explore factors that limit recruitment of M. quinquenervia within its native range. Methods Field deployed seed traps; soil-core sampling; a burial longevity trial and depth of emergence experiment; laboratory temperature, salinity and light germination experiments; a transplantation experiment; monitoring of field germination; and a litter/leachate experiment. Key results Low seed viability (5–26%) is offset by high canopy seed loads (250 000 to 120 million seeds per tree) released continuously throughout the year with a peak fall in summer (2000 to 5000 viable seeds per m2 per month), coinciding with optimal germination temperatures. Seedling emergence is reduced below 5 mm soil depth, there is a very low soil seedbank reserve, and germination is light-dependant. M. quinquenervia exhibited reduced germination percentage and rate as well as reduced survival of seedlings at salinities higher than 15 dS m−1 EC (electrical conductivity). The most favourable sites for seedling establishment are permanently moist with low salinity, protected from wave action via sedge vegetation, and sheltered from prevailing winds. There is an inhibitory effect of Casuarina leachate on germination. Conclusions Germination in the field is episodic, and tied to specific environmental conditions. Highest losses occur at the seedling establishment phase. Implications Future research avenues and management recommendations are provided.

X-ray Imaging Assessment of Internal Seed Morphology as a Nondestructive Viability Prediction for Triploid Watermelon Seeds

Highlights X-ray imaging techniques were used to assess the internal morphology of triploid watermelon seeds. Structural integrity of triploid watermelon seed was quantified through image-processing and analyzed according to multiple viability classes. Integrity and CNN-based viability prediction models were developed and evaluated for multiple viability criteria. In the integrity analysis and modeling results, there were differences in the correlation between internal seed morphology and viability depending on the condition of the seed lot. Abstract. Watermelon (Citrullus lanatus) is a tropical fruit consumed worldwide in various forms. Triploid watermelons—or seedless watermelons—have remained popular for decades because of the absence of hard seeds and their flavor. However, triploid watermelon seeds have lower viability than diploid watermelon seeds because of their thick seed coats, underdeveloped embryos, and larger internal cavity spaces. This poor viability characteristic of triploid watermelon seed leads to low crop productivity. Therefore, a nondestructive inspection technology is deemed necessary for sorting triploid watermelon seeds. In this study, we assessed the internal morphology of triploid watermelon seeds by applying the X-ray imaging technique to predict seed viability. More specifically, we analyzed the association between the structural integrity and viability of the seeds by X-ray image processing. Furthermore, prediction models based on integrity and convolutional neural networks (CNN) were developed and evaluated for multiple viability criteria and seed lots. As a result, first-grade class seeds were shown to significantly differ from the rest of the classes in terms of integrity. Similarly, the performance of classifying the first-grade class from other classes was the highest among classification criteria in prediction models. Although the CNN model showed better performances than the integrity-based model, seed integrity was considered to be the most important feature even in the CNN model. The CNN model in this study showed accuracies of 73.64%–90.63% depending on the seed lot, suggesting that the correlation between seed internal structure and viability may differ depending on the conditions of the seed lot. Keywords: Deep learning, Seed, Seed integrity, Triploid watermelon, Viability, X-ray.

Germination and viability of wild sunflower species seeds stored at room temperature and low humidity for 38 years

The effects of prolonged storage on the germination and viability of seeds of sunflower crop wild relatives stored under less-than-optimal conditions in working genebanks is not known. Seeds of two wild annual species, Helianthus annuus (common wild sunflower) and annual H. petiolaris (prairie sunflower), were stored at room temperature (20 to 22°C) and low humidity of ∼ 22% in the laboratory for 38 years. Germination of stored annual sunflower seeds was 5.5%, while that of prairie sunflower seeds was 0.75%, compared with the germination of freshly harvested seeds of 34.7 and 18.5%, respectively. Tetrazolium, a vital stain, indicated that the seeds were alive. The viability equations were used to predict final viability of the stored seeds. Using the three tests of viability (germination with and without gibberellic acid, and tetrazolium staining), all appeared to underestimate the actual condition of the stored seeds of annual sunflower, but provided better predictions for prairie sunflower. This study indicated that wild sunflower seeds can be stored at less than ideal conditions in working genebanks where viability decreases over time reducing germination, but gibberellic acid treatment can sustainably increase germination to produce a number of plants to maintain the genetic integrity of the original stored seeds often used in long-term prebreeding programmes.

Germination improving of Stored Triticale Seeds and and seedling growth by α – Amylase Enzym

An experiment was carried out at the Department of Field Crops laboratory, College of Agriculture, University of Tikrit, in order to know the effect of stimulating the stored seeds of triticale Farah cultivar by α -amylase enzyme using a complete random design (CRD) in a factorial experiment. The first factor was the storage periods of 6 months, 1.5 years and 2.5 years (S1,S2 and S3) and the second factor was α -amylase enzyme concentrations of 0 (dry seeds), seeds soaked in distilled water, 1 and 2 mg L-1 of the enzyme (C1,C2,C3 and C4). Results showed that increasing the storage period reduces the viability of seeds and their ability to germinate and seedling characters. The percentage of germination, plumule length, radicale, seedling vigor, plumule dry weight and radical dry weight reduced from 93.5%, 10.68 cm,11.05 cm, 2033.42, 0.1149 g and 0.1231 g in S1 treatment to 83.88%, 7.53cm, 7.5 cm, 1267.1, 0.0977 g and 0.1022 g in S3 treatment. The concentration 1 mg L-1 was superior in germination, plumule length, seedling vigor and plumule dry weight and the values were 92.44, 9.46cm, 1805.78 and 0.1111 g. However the concentration of 2 mg L-1 was superior in radical length and its dry weight. The best interaction was between storage period S1 and enzyme concentration C3 with values of 96.6%, 11.50 cm, 2212.33 and 0.1288 g for germination percentage, plumule length, seedling vigor and plumule dry weight and with the concentration C4 that recorded 11.67 cm and 0.1353 g for radical length and dry weight respectively.

Embryo rescue of inter-specific hybrid of Solanum lycopersicum × S. neorickii

The tomato wild accession LA2325 (Solanum neorickkii) shows strong resistance to early blight (EB) caused by Alternaria solani. To study genetics of the resistance and to transfer the resistance to cultivated tomato, crosses were made between accessionLA2325 and highly susceptible genotype Hawaii 3998. The crosses yielded no viable seeds. It is well known that fertilization barriers like incompatibility and embryo abortion come in the way of development of inter-specific hybrid. This hampers introgression of resistance to cultivated tomato. In the subsequent season, pollen from LA2325was used to pollinate the susceptible cultivar and pro-embryos were collected from developing fruits 39-49 days after pollination. Rescue of immature embryos was done on Murashige and Skoog medium (MS-medium). Pro-embryos from fruits of 42 - 44 days after pollination gave good response. A total of ten plants were regenerated. Developed seedlings were hardened and shifted to green house. The hybridity of the rescued plants was confirmed by comparing the morphological characters of the interspecific hybrid and parents. Further, cleaved amplified polymorphic sequences (CAPS) marker was also used for verifying the hybridity. The embryo rescued inter-specific hybrid is being used as a resource for generating different genetic populations to study the genetics of the EB resistance and to transfer the resistance to cultivated tomato.

Seed ecology enlightens restoration of endemic species: A case study of Actaea kashmiriana from the Himalaya

Lack of sufficient studies on seed ecology of endemic species poses practical hurdles in their habitat restoration programs. Here, we studied the seed ecology traits and regeneration potential of Actaea kashmiriana – an endemic plant species to Kashmir Himalaya. We conducted population sampling of the species at four different sites in Kashmir Himalaya. The seeds showed profuse covering with brownish membranous wings, indicating wind dispersal in the species. The percentage of seed set varied from 67(±0.7) to 72(±0.6) and seed viability from 76(±2.4) to 86(±2.4), with highest being at low-altitude site. We observed a gradual reduction in viability of the seeds over time, and 4 °C temperature optimum for maintaining long-term viability. Gibberellic acid (GA3) treatment (3 mM) showed highest percentage of seed germination and seedling survival. The treatments involving GA3 (2 mM), GA3 (2.5 mM), and GA3 (3 mM) showed highest number of seeds germinated per day as well as seedling vigour index. Mean germination time was significantly reduced to 45 ± 0.92 days under GA3 (3 mM) as compared to the other treatments. For breaking the epicotyl dormancy, 24–25 °C temperature was effective for the emergence of cotyledon. Faster seed germination initiated within 38 and40 days under treatments with GA3 (3 mM) and GA3 in combination with Thiourea respectively. Our results indicate non-deep morpho-physiological dormancy in the species and GA3 likely serves as a substitute for cold stratification. Based on our findings, we outline a protocol for production of quality seedlings in A. kashmiriana, which can steer restoration of the species in this Himalayan biodiversity hotspot and enlighten the restoration of endemic biodiversity elsewhere.

Choosing the Right Path for the Successful Storage of Seeds

Seeds are the most commonly used source of storage material to preserve the genetic diversity of plants. However, prior to the deposition of seeds in gene banks, several questions need to be addressed. Here, we illustrate the scheme that can be used to ensure that the most optimal conditions are identified to enable the long-term storage of seeds. The main questions that need to be answered pertain to the production of viable seeds by plants, the availability of proper protocols for dormancy alleviation and germination, seed tolerance to desiccation and cold storage at -20 °C. Finally, it is very important to fully understand the capability or lack thereof for seeds or their explants to tolerate cryogenic conditions. The proper storage regimes for orthodox, intermediate and recalcitrant seeds are discussed.

Exogenous application of citric acid alleviates copper-induced stress in Withania coagulans (Dunal)

The current study aimed to determine the mitigating effect of citric acid (CA) on various physiological and biochemical attributes in Withania coagulans, exposed to copper (Cu) stress. The viable seeds of Withania coagulans were planted in a controlled environment. After reaching the four-leaf stage, the plants were given simultaneous treatment with two concentrations of Cu [TCu1 and TCu2 (10mM, 15mM)] alone and/or with CA [TCa1 and TCa2 (05mM, 10mM)]. After harvesting, the physiological and biochemical characteristics of the plants were assessed. The findings demonstrated that using a higher dosage of Cu has significant toxic effects on plant growth and biomass. The agronomic attributes of the plant were significantly reduced by 24% (number of leaves), 22% (shoot length), 7% (root length), 8% (fresh weight), and 38% (dry weight) compared to the control. Higher concentration of Cu was also found toxic to photosynthetic pigments and significantly reduced by 27% (chl a), 6% (chl b), and 35% (carotenoids) compared to the control. However, the application of CA under Cu stress significantly improved the physiological attributes of Withania coagulans. The plant's agronomic traits significantly increased by 66% (number of leaves), 31% (shoot length), 87% (root length), 43% (fresh weight), and 78% (dry weight), whereas photosynthetic pigments by 25% (chl a), 58% (chl b), and 125% (carotenoids). Based on the results, it could be concluded that CA can play a role in mitigating the toxic effect of Cu in Withania coagulans

Viability and vigor of soybean seeds as a result of industrial seed treatment and stored in different environments

The industrial seed treatment (IST) of soybeans is an economically recommended technique in agricultural production, providing protection against pests and initial pathogens. However, the real effects of pesticides about the quality of soybean seeds are still little known, since the adoption of the system is still recent by soybean farmers. The objective of this work was to evaluate the physiological quality of soybean seeds, treated or not, with insecticide/ fungicide new mixtures and stored for 240 days in a non-controlled and controlled environment. The completely randomized design was used, distributed in a 5 x 2 x 6 factorial scheme with four replications. The plot treatments consisted of soybean seeds belonging to the cultivar M - 7739 IPRO, treated with six different insecticide/ fungicide mixtures {(Cruiser®); (Amulet®); (MaximAdvanced®); (Cruiser®+ MaximAdvanced®); (MaximAdvanced® + Amulet®); (untreated control)}, stored in two environments {(laboratory – without control and cold room – with control (10 ± 2 ºC,45± 2% UR)} for eight months of storage with five evaluation times (0; 60; 120; 180 and 240days). The following tests were carried out: water content, germination, first count, seedling length and seedling dry mass. It was found that the chemical treatments negatively affect the germination potential of seeds, especially after 120 days of storage, regardless of the environment.Thiamethoxamand Thiamethoxam + Metalaxil; Tabendazole; Fludioxonil after storage provided the biggest reductions in seed viability and vigor after 240 days of storage. The cold room environment provides better conditions for the conservation of the germinative potential of soybean seeds.

Deep Convolutional Neural Network for Detection and Prediction of Waxy Corn Seed Viability Using Hyperspectral Reflectance Imaging

This paper aimed to combine hyperspectral imaging (378–1042 nm) and a deep convolutional neural network (DCNN) to rapidly and non-destructively detect and predict the viability of waxy corn seeds. Different viability levels were set by artificial aging (aging: 0 d, 3 d, 6 d, and 9 d), and spectral data for the first 10 h of seed germination were continuously collected. Bands that were significantly correlated (SC) with moisture, protein, starch, and fat content in the seeds were selected, and another optimal combination was extracted using a successive projection algorithm (SPA). The support vector machine (SVM), k-nearest neighbor (KNN), random forest (RF), and deep convolutional neural network (DCNN) approaches were used to establish the viability detection and prediction models. During detection, with the addition of different levels, the recognition effect of the first three methods decreased, while the DCNN method remained relatively stable (always above 95%). When using the previous 2.5 h data, the prediction accuracy rate was generally higher than the detection model. Among them, SVM + full band increased the most, while DCNN + full band was the highest, reaching 98.83% accuracy. These results indicate that the combined use of hyperspectral imaging technology and the DCNN method is more conducive to the rapid detection and prediction of seed viability.