54 64 STJ - V17N2 1993
54 64 STJ - V17N2 1993
54 64 STJ - V17N2 1993
ABSTRACT
Several image processing techniques are belng developed at the
National Seed Storage Laboratory to enhance the preservation and
utilization of seed germplasm.Two projects investigate the potential
of this technology in controlling and providing additional informa-
tion in germination testing, seedung growth rate analysis and tetra-
zolium testing. Another thrust of the research has been to develop
an image-based database. Investigations in this study concentrate
on the development of features which describe physical character-
istics of seed, An object-oriented database was developed within
the Windows 3.1 operating environment. This database Is unique
because it is capable of displaying many types of information, tor
example seed images, graphs, or color pads. Machine vision and
image analysis have shown promise and many new applications of
this technology are being developed.
INTRODUCTION
Mention of company or trade name does not imply endorsement of the products by the
USDA-ARS. It is for purpose of description only.
JOURNAL OF SEED TECHNOLOGY 57
Stults Germination
Chamber
IMAGING PROJECTS
The four major projects at the NSSL are: 1) to develop a machine vision
system to measure seedling growth rate and determine if this information
can be used to predict seed viability, 2) to develop a machine vision to
assist the seed analyst to perform a non-subjective tetrazolium viability
test, 3) to develop image processing and feature extraction techniques to
measure the physical characteristics of seeds, and 4) to develop an
image-based database for plant germplasm. An outline of the concepts for
these projects and the latest advances follow.
Flgure 2. A typical Image obtained durlng testlng of ten sorght~mseeds. Note the two
pins seen as round white objects.The sorghum seeds were planted in a row between
these pins. Roots are shown attached to the blotter paper extending down from the
pin location and the stem portlon extends up from the pin location.
white camera was set outside a Stults germinatlon chamber. This cham-
ber provided the necessary environmentat conditions to run a standard
germination test. The chamber remained dark throughout the test except
when images were obtained during which tights remained en for approxi-
mately 30 seconds every hour. The images were stored on the hard disk
and analyzed later. An example of an image is shown in Figure 2.
The steps to lacate and measure the root growth included calibration,
location, and measurement. Two calibration measurements were made in
each image, positional and size. As shown in Figure 2, two circutar posi-
tioning pins were used to perform the calibration rneasurement.These cir-
cular pins were located, and the position of the pins and distance between
the two pins were used for calibration. Once the pins were located, roots
were located and the length was measured. This was completed for all
images and the growth raZe curves for lettuce and sorghum are shown in
Figure 3. These measurements compared similar to human measure-
ments. The average error between the two measurement systems were
-0,13cm for the lettuce test and -0.07 cm for the sorghum test. For more
detail on the procedures and results, see Howarth and Stanwood (1992a).
This system analyzes ten seeds every germination period. An auto-
mated system has been developed and is under construction which will
present 50 slant boards to the camera. This will allow 500 seeds to be
analyzed every germination period.This wiH make this system attractive to
the NSSL research and preservation units and to the seed industry.
JOURNAL OF SEED TECHNOLOGY
- Root 1
Root 2
. - - . Rmtot3
....... Root 4
--- nwt5
.- - . Root 6
Root7
----- nmta
- noot 10
Time, hours
Time, hours
Figure 3. Illustration of ten root growth rate curves measured by the machine vision
system: A) lettuce and B) sorghum.
000 005 0.10 0.15 020 0.25 0.30 035 0.40 945 0.54 0.55
TZ staining ratlo
Figure 4.TZ staining ratio histogram showing the distribution of normal and abnormal
or dead corn kernels.
Figure 5. Sample image obtained from the 3-D imaging system.The center image rep-
resents the top view of the seed. The top and bottom images are side views of the
seed.The right and left images are the end views of the seed.
RGB histograms. For more specific information regarding this work, refer
to Howarth and Stanwood (1992C).
FUTURE DIRECTION
During the last few years, the projects discussed have provided the
NSSL with a sound foundation for future development. Several areas must
be investigated so that the current projects may reach full potential.
JOURNAL OF SEED TECHNOLOGY 63
REFERENCES
1. Association of Official Seed Analysts (AOSA). 1988. Rules for testing
seeds. Journal of Seed Technology, 12(3).
2. Beck, H.W. 1989. Database management. In: Knowledge Engineering
in Agriculture, J.R. Barrett and D.D. Jones (eds.), American Society of
Agricultural Engineers, St. Joseph, MI 49085-9659. pp 83-1 15.
3. Bowman, H. 1990.The use of hydrogen peroxide as a bleaching agent
in the TZ testing of smooth bromegrass seed. Newsletter of AOSA
44(1):26-29.
4. Brown, G.K., L.J. Segerlind, and R. Summitt. 1974. Near-infrared
reflectance of bruised apples. Transactions of the ASAE. 17(1):17- 19.
5. Churchill, D.B., D.M. Bilsland and T.M. Cooper. 1990. Feature extrac-
tion techniques for corn germplasm by color computer vision. ASAE
paper No. 90-7519.
6. Draper, S.R. and A.J. Travis, 1984. Preliminary observations with a
computer based system for analysis of the shape of seeds and
64 VOLUME 17, NUMBER 2,1993