Radiographic analysis for the evaluation of polyembryony in Swingle citrumelo seeds

Abstract: The polyembryony rate is a very important factor to consider when choosing a commercial rootstock. Currently, automated systems are used to improve seed quality analyses. X-ray testing is a fast, simple, non-destructive, high-precision test that allows to examine in detail the internal morphology of the seeds to identify damaged areas, their location and types of damage. In this context, the present research aimed to verify the possibility of using X-ray test to evaluate the polyembryony in Swingle citrumelo seeds. Seeds from seven lots were submitted to X-ray tests, direct method (embryo counts) and indirect method (germination). According to the results obtained, it was observed that there was a high coincidence between the number of embryos per seed analyzed using X-ray test and the direct method. Radiographic image analysis is efficient to evaluate the polyembryony in seeds of Swingle citrumelo.