Radiographic analysis and performance of coffee seeds

Abstract

Radiographic analysis has been efficient in identifying the main changes in the internal morphology of seeds, being increasingly used in quality control programs due to their practicality, objectivity and speed in obtaining the results. Despite these advantages, there are still no studies proving the efficiency of these techniques for coffee seed analysis. Thereby, the aim of this research was to evaluate the internal morphology of coffee seeds (Coffea arabica L.) through the analysis of radiographic images and their relation with germination performance. Radiographic images of seeds of the cultivars Bourbon and Catucai 20/15, each represented by six lots, were examined and the seeds were seeded and seedling emergence, shoot length, stem diameter and shoot dry mass were evaluated. Seeds of Bourbon presented high percentage of intact seeds, as well as better performance in the germination of the lots compared to Catucai 20/15, which presented more incidence of damaged seeds and lower germination. The radiographic images allowed identifying seeds with malformations, tissue deterioration and damage caused by the coffee borer. This non-destructive imaging technique is efficient in identifying intact seeds, with potential to germinate and produce vigorus seedlings.