Near infrared spectroscopy and seedling image analysis to evaluate the physiological potential of Urochloa decumbens (Stapf) R.D. Webster seeds

Abstract: The demand for techniques that make it possible to assess the physiological potential of seeds quickly and assertively make near-infrared spectroscopy (FT-NIR) and seedling analysis using ILASTIK software promising tools. The aim of this study was to evaluate the physiological potential of Urochloa decumbens seeds using near-infrared spectroscopy (FT-NIR) and ILASTIK software. Seeds from 10 lots of U. decumbens were classified according to their physiological potential (germination and vigor) and then FT-NIR spectra were obtained from individual seed samples, the original spectra being pre-processed with different dispersion correction methods used for the construction of a classification model through partial least squares discriminant analysis (PSL-DA). For the ILASTIK evaluation, the seedlings were photographed at 7 and 14 days of germination and the trained classifier was applied to the images, generating data on the numbers of strong seedlings, weak seedlings and non-germinated seeds. With data from the FT-NIR technique pre-processed by the 2nd derivative of Savitzky-Golay, it was possible to obtain a classification model with high efficiency to discriminate the classes regarding the physiological potential of the seeds. ILASTIK was efficient to classify seeds according to their physiological potential after only 7 days of germination. FT-NIR and ILASTIK analyses are non-destructive and fast alternatives, with great potential for quality control of U. decumbens seed lots.