METHOD FOR ASSESSING THE QUALITY OF A SEED LOT BY DETERMINING THE VIGOR RATING OF A PLUG FLAT OF SEEDLINGS USING IMAGE ANALYSIS

摘要

This invention involves a method for assessing the quality of a seed lot by determining the vigor rating of a plug flat of seedlings. The vigor rating can be determined without controlling the conditions under which the seedlings are grown. The seedlings can be grown under optimum, greenhouse, commercial or outdoor growing conditions. Image analysis equipment is employed to determine the vigor rating. The image analysis equipment is used to measure the surface area of the leaves of the seedlings, calculate the standard deviation of the leaves and to calculate the germination percentage of the seedlings. The image analysis equipment can also be used to calculate the vigor rating or the vigor rating can be determined by hand via mathematical calculation.