Digital images of seedling for evaluating coffee seed vigor

Abstract

The digital image analysis of seedlings has become largely employed in seed quality-control programs due to its feasibility, objectivity and fast results. Despite these advantages, no studies have yet demonstrated the efficiency of this technique for analyzing coffee seed vigor. The present study aimed at evaluating the efficiency of the Seed Vigor Imaging System (SVIS®) in determining the vigor of coffee seeds (Coffea arabica L.) from digital images of seedlings. Also, the results of these analyses were contrasted with conventional vigor tests. Six seed lots from each cultivar, Bourbon and Catucaí 20/15, were used. The research was conducted in two experimental times, and the seed vigor was determined by the tests of first germination count, accelerated aging, electrical conductivity, primary root protrusion speed, as well as by the analysis of scanned images of seedlings, made possible by the SVIS® software. For the Bourbon and Catucaí 20/15 cultivars, the SVIS® analysis was able to discriminate lots of both high and low vigor (vigor indexes of 317 to 752, and 181 to 703, respectively). A similar outcome was obtained from the conventional tests appraised in this research. Eventually, it was possible to conclude that the digital analysis of 20-day-old seedlings by SVIS® is an efficient method to evaluate coffee seed vigor.