ABSTRACT Zinc (Zn) is a micronutrient considered essential to plants which can be supplied through seed treatment. The treatment of soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] seeds with Zn, however, is still not well known as regards the uptake and mobilization dynamics of the nutrient during the germination process. This study aimed to evaluate the uptake and distribution dynamics of Zn applied to soybean seeds at two levels of vigor during germination using X-ray micro-fluorescence spectroscopy (µ-XRF). Zinc treatments corresponded to 0, 2, 4 and 8 g of Zn per kg of seeds. High and low vigor seeds that had been treated were located appropriately so as to promote germination. Zn intensity measurements with µ-XRF were taken in different parts (“regions”) of the seeds (seed coat, cotyledon, and embryonic axis) after 8, 16 and 24 h of imbibition and seedlings (primary root, hypocotyl, plumule, cotyledon, and seed coat) after 48, 72 and 96 h of germination. High vigor seeds showed higher Zn intensity in the embryonic axis in the first 16 h, while low vigor seeds showed higher intensity after 24 h. After 48, 72 and 96 h of germination low vigor seedlings showed higher Zn intensity than high vigor seedlings in the primary root. It was concluded that µ-XRF is an efficient technique for identifying variances in the dynamics of Zn uptake and mobilization during the germination of soybean seeds with different vigor levels.

Resumo: Entre as espécies produtoras de grãos, a soja é uma das commodities mais importantes, com demanda crescente por produção nos próximos anos. A avaliação da qualidade da semente de soja é fundamental para garantir o máximo potencial de germinação e produtividade. Portanto, métodos eficazes são necessários para examinar diferentes propriedades associadas a alterações físico-químicas, fisiológicas e na sanidade das sementes que afetam a qualidade das sementes. Esta revisão enfoca os princípios fundamentais e a aplicação de técnicas de imagem radiográfica, ressonância magnética, imagem multiespectral, imagem de fluorescência de clorofila e termografia infravermelha para avaliar alterações relacionadas à perda de qualidade da semente de soja, como injúrias mecânicas, injúrias causadas por insetos, malformação embrionária e maturação incompleta. A análise computadorizada de imagens de plântulas também é apresentada para avaliação do vigor do lote de sementes. Os exemplos aqui apresentados mostram o potencial dessas técnicas de análise de imagens para identificar diferentes tipos de injúrias e aumentar a eficiência dos programas internos de controle de qualidade nas empresas produtoras de sementes de soja. Resumo grãos importantes anos produtividade Portanto físicoquímicas, físicoquímicas físico químicas, químicas físico-químicas radiográfica magnética multiespectral mecânicas insetos incompleta

Abstract: Among grain-producing species, soybean is one of the most important commodities, with increasing demand for production in coming years. Evaluation of soybean seed quality is fundamental for ensuring maximum germination and yield potential. Therefore, effective methods are necessary for examining different properties associated with physical-chemical, physiological, and seed-health changes that affect seed quality. This review focuses on the fundamental principles and on the application of techniques of radiographic imaging, magnetic resonance imaging, multispectral imagining, chlorophyll fluorescence imaging, and infrared thermography to evaluate changes related to loss of soybean seed quality, such as mechanical injury, injury caused by insects, embryonic malformation, and incomplete maturation. Computerized seedling image analysis is also presented for evaluation of seed lot vigor. The examples presented here show the potential of these image analysis techniques for identifying different types of injuries and increasing the efficiency of in-house quality control programs in soybean seed production companies. Abstract grainproducing grain producing species commodities years Therefore physicalchemical, physicalchemical physical chemical, chemical physical-chemical physiological seedhealth health imaging imagining insects malformation maturation vigor inhouse house companies

Resumo: A técnica de análise de imagens multiespectrais para detecção da fluorescência de clorofila (FC) em sementes de soja foi estudada com o objetivo de avaliar a relação entre os sinais da FC e o seu potencial fisiológico. Para dois cultivares, BMX Desafio RR 8473 RSF e 96R10 IPRO, foram utilizados oito tratamentos correspondendo a 0%, 2%, 4%, 6%, 8%, 10%, 12% e 14% de sementes esverdeadas, os quais foram submetidos a diferentes testes de qualidade. Inicialmente, a FC das sementes foi determinada utilizando-se espectros de 660 nm e 730 nm e com as mesmas sementes foram realizados os testes de germinação, condutividade elétrica, envelhecimento acelerado com solução saturada de NaCl, tetrazólio e análise computadorizada de imagens de plântulas (Vigor-S). Foi utilizado o delineamento inteiramente casualizado, com as repetições de cada tratamento. Com o software R®, os dados dos testes de germinação, de vigor e de FC das sementes foram submetidos à análise de variância (ANOVA) e as médias agrupadas pelo teste de Skott-Knott (p ≤ 0,05). Os coeficientes de correlação linear de Pearson (r) foram calculados para todas as combinações entre as avaliações com significância dos valores r, determinados pelo teste t (p ≤ 0,05) e procedeu-se a análise multivariada de componentes principais. Aumentos proporcionais de sementes esverdeadas contribuem para o aumento nos sinais de fluorescências de clorofila e tem correlação negativa com a qualidade fisiológica das sementes, de modo que níveis acima de 4% de sementes esverdeadas nas amostras resultam em perdas acentuadas no potencial fisiológico. Portanto, a fluorescência de clorofila detectada por intermédio de imagens multiespectrais tem relação inversa com o potencial fisiológico de sementes de soja.

Abstract: The multispectral image analysis technique to detect chlorophyll fluorescence (CF) in soybean seeds was studied to assess the relationship between CF signals and seed physiological potential. Eight treatments, corresponding to 0%, 2%, 4%, 6%, 8%, 10%, 12%, and 14% green seeds, were used on two cultivars, BMX Desafio RR 8473 RSF and 96R10 IPRO, which passed through different seed quality tests. Initially, the CF of the seeds was determined using 660 nm and 730 nm spectra, and then the germination, electrical conductivity, accelerated aging with saturated NaCl solution, tetrazolium, and computerized seedling image analysis (Vigor-S) tests were performed on the same seeds. A completely randomized design was used, as well as replications of each treatment. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) was performed on the data from germination, vigor, and CF tests using the R® software, and the means were grouped by the Scott-Knott test (p ≤ 0.05). Pearson’s linear correlation coefficients (r) were calculated for all combinations among the evaluations with significance of the r values determined by the t-test (p ≤ 0.05), and multivariate analysis of the principal components was performed. Proportional increases in green seeds contribute to an increase in chlorophyll fluorescence signals and have a negative correlation with seed physiological quality; levels above 4% green seeds in the samples result in marked losses in physiological potential. Therefore, the chlorophyll fluorescence detected through multispectral images is inversely related to the physiological potential of soybean seeds.

Resumo: O uso de recursos computacionais para a avaliação do potencial fisiológico de sementes tem atraído atenção de pesquisadores e profissionais do setor sementeiro. O objetivo deste estudo foi a avaliação do vigor de sementes de feijão-caupi com a utilização do software Vigor-S (Sistema de Análise Automatizada do Vigor de Sementes). Foram utilizados sete lotes de sementes do cultivar BRS Guariba que foram submetidos aos testes de primeira contagem de germinação, envelhecimento acelerado, condutividade elétrica, emergência de plântulas, velocidade de emergência de plântulas e sistema computadorizado de imagens de plântulas (Vigor-S), avaliados em duas épocas. Os dados foram submetidos a análise da variância, em delineamento inteiramente casualizado e suas médias comparadas pelo teste de Scott-Knott (p ≤ 0,05) e a análise de correlação entre os testes de vigor tradicionalmente utilizados e as variáveis fornecidas pelo Vigor-S. A análise computadorizada de imagens de plântulas de feijão-caupi com três dias após a semeadura por meio do software Vigor-S é uma alternativa eficiente para detectar diferenças de vigor entre os lotes de sementes, de forma similar às avaliações tradicionais do vigor de sementes.

Abstract: The use of computational resources to assess the physiological potential of seeds has attracted the attention of researchers and professionals in the seed sector. The aim of this study was to evaluate the vigor of cowpea seeds using the Vigor-S software (Automated Seed Vigor Analysis System), in comparison to the information provided by traditional vigor tests that are recommended for the species. Seven seed lots of the cultivar BRS Guariba were used. They underwent germination and seed vigor assessment by testing first germination count, accelerated aging, electrical conductivity, seedling emergence, speed of seedling emergence and use of Vigor-S, an automated image system for seedling assessment, in two evaluation periods. The data underwent analysis of variance, in a completely randomized design and their means were compared by the Scott-Knott test (p ≤ 0.05). An analysis was made of the correlation between the vigor tests traditionally used and the variables provided by Vigor-S. Using the Vigor-S software for automated image analysis of cowpea seedlings three days after sowing is an efficient alternative to detect differences in vigor between seed lots, similarly to traditional seed vigor evaluations.