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The application of image analysis in monitoring the imbibition process of white cabbage (Brassica oleracea L.) seeds

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  22 February 2007

A. Dell'Aquila ,
J.W. van Eck  and
G.W.A.M. van der Heijden
A. Dell'Aquila
Affiliation:
Germplasm Institute, CNR, 70126 Bari, Italy
J.W. van Eck
Affiliation:
Plant Research International, PO Box 16, NL-6700 AA Wageningen, The Netherlands
G.W.A.M. van der Heijden*
Affiliation:
Plant Research International, PO Box 16, NL-6700 AA Wageningen, The Netherlands
*
*Correspondence Fax: +31 317 418094 Email: g.w.a.m.vanderheijden@plant.wag.ur.nl
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Abstract

An image analysis system is described to study the process of imbibition in white cabbage (Brassica oleracea L.) seeds. The system consists of two components: 1) an environmental system where seeds germinate; 2) a computer imaging system, composed of a Charged Coupled Device (CCD)-imaging sensor, an image frame grabber, a computer and a video monitor. The measurement software can determine area, perimeter, width, length and eccentricity as descriptors of changes in seed size during swelling. The captured images of imbibing seeds allowed estimation of timing of ‘visible germination’ occurrence without any subjective evaluation. Using the area parameter, the imbibition process can be described graphically by a series of curves similar to the triphasic pattern of water uptake, with extension and rate depending on the degree of seed viability and germination medium conditions. Imbibitional osmotic stress, provided by -1.5 MPa mannitol, induced a large delay in germination and, upon stress removal, a more uniform radicle emergence. The versatility and the sensitivity of the method, together with the feasibility to investigate germination rate in individual seeds within a population, suggest that image analysis techniques have high potential in seed biology studies.

Keywords

imbibitionosmotic stressvigourimage analysisseedBrassica oleraseawhite cabbage
Type
Research Article
Information
Seed Science Research , Volume 10 , Issue 2 , June 2000 , pp. 163 - 169
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2000

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