ANÁLISES DE IMAGENS ASSOCIADAS A TESTES FISIOLÓGICOS E BIOQUÍMICOS NA AVALIAÇÃO DA QUALIDADE DE SEMENTES DE Carthamus tinctorius

Abstract

The agility and accuracy in assessing seed quality are limiting factors for seed-producing companies worldwide, especially methodologies that allow the quick and objective determination of indices. Seed image analysis is a way to optimize this process, but further research is needed to prove its efficiency in species such as safflower. This oilseed has multiple relevant purposes and high potential for inclusion in Brazil's cultivation systems, therefore studying methods for seed quality assessment is fundamental for the development and achievement of higher crop productivity. Thus, the aim was to verify the safflower seeds viability using radiographic image processing, relating the obtained parameters to seed physiological quality, and identifying physical, physiological, and biochemical markers to evaluate stored safflower seed quality. In Experiment I, four lots of safflower seeds were evaluated through radiographic images to determine their physical characteristics. Subsequently, they underwent physiological, biochemical, anatomical, histochemical, and chlorophyll a fluorescence characterization tests of seedlings. In Experiment II, three lots of safflower seeds from the years 2018, 2019, and 2020 were subjected to image, physiological, and biochemical analyses. The study was conducted in a completely randomized design, and the data were subjected to analysis of variance with means compared by Tukey's test at 5% of probability level. Seed filling variable is closely related to the physiological attributes of seed quality. Seeds are susceptible to aging during storage, leading to loss of viability and seed vigor. X-ray technique allowed visualizing the main structures of safflower seeds and classifying different predominant morphological types. Internal images indeed reflect seed performance. Nonviable seeds are characterized by alterations in cell structure, lower protein accumulation in cells, disarrangement and reduction of lipids, as well as reduced germination capacity and changes in membrane permeability with higher levels of leached ions. Automated analysis of radiographic images allows for simple and rapid extraction of information about seed physical characteristics and generation of parameters related to seed physiological quality.