USE OF SOFT X-RAY RADIOGRAPHY FOR STUDYING SEED QUALITY IN HORTICULTURE

In horticulture, assessment of seed quality is an important factor of progress which must be given with the highest precision.
Among the different techniques used, soft X-ray radiography is a fast and commonly used method of seed observation.
It has the great advantage not to be destructive.
It prints the inside structure of one or several seeds on a radiographic paper or a film without damaging germinative capacity.

The observation of radiographic films shows full or empty seeds, good or bad seed morphology, damaged or destroyed seeds.
Many applications can be developed in the future and several are already operational for : controlling the quality of a seed, a sample or a lot; guiding the processing or storage conditions of a lot immediately after harvesting; homogenizing a work lot; controlling a pelleted seed; observing the seed evolution during storage or germination.
The X-Ray technique cannot solve all seed problems but as in medical or industrial fields, it allows quick and thorough diagnosis.
It gives some new, useful or essential information for scientific work and the quality control of seed lots in horticulture.

Seed Research in Horticulture

A. Chavagnat

https://doi.org/10.17660/ActaHortic.1987.215.20