Tetrazolium Staining Viability Seed Test Using Color Image Processing

Abstract

Tetrazolium (TZ) staining is an important and common seed viability test. However, the conducting and interpretation of this test has proven to be extremely subjective and tedious. Using Zea mays (corn), a machine vision inspection system was developed to aid the seed testing staff in evaluating TZ staining results. Image processing and pattern recognition techniques were developed to measure the staining area and evaluate the viability of each individual seed. This system will provide a nonbiased evaluation of the staining results.