Development of novel techniques in conditioning, testing and sorting seed physiological quality

During the two last decades interest in the development of appropriate technologies able to improve information on crop production, e.g. those obtained in testing seed germination quality, has been a core topic. Most of these approaches have promoted the design of non-invasive techniques that exclude the use of chemicals or destructive management of seeds, and have provided diagnostic methodologies highly automated and computer assisted. The new criteria have introduced the use of new markers of seed physiological quality, which include seed size grading and the evaluation of colour space of seed surface by both computer-assisted image analysis and spectrometry, non-lethal X-ray inspection combined with quantitative image analysis of seed external and internal morphology, and the detection of chlorophyll fluorescence signal amplified by laser technology, as revealed on the seed coat. Data processing through discriminating analysis and distribution histogram plotting enable to define the range of appropriate biological markers useful in sorting distinct seed sub-samples with different germination and vigour uniformity within in apparent uniform sample. New non-destructive techniques in evaluating seed physiological characteristics may satisfy the demand of farmers. seed industries and seed-genebanks focused mostly in producing and storing high quality seeds under the standards of a sustainable and precision agriculture.