New Perspectives for Seed Germination Testing Through Digital Imaging Technology

Abstract

A digital image of a plant seed can be regarded as a two-dimensional object which can be measured in size, shape and color density during the development stage of germination by computer image analysis technology. Seed changes its biological structure passing from a quiescent stage to a proliferating one, and any morphological variation can be associated with the corresponding variation of seed geometry and color space components. Future perspectives are addressed to design comprehensive biological models that may contribute to studying seed quality patterns possibly integrated with those proposed for other biological systems.