The gas-discharge visualization (GDV, electrophotography) method allows recording and quantifying the glow that occurs near the surface of the object (seed), when placing it in an electromagnetic field of high intensity. The hidden defects – emptiness of Pinus sibirica Du Tour seeds and biogenic damage (by phytopathogenic bacteria Pantoea ananatis) of Zea mays L. seeds were revealed and analyzed by the method of gas discharge visualization in combination with automatic analysis of digital gas-discharge images. It is shown that empty seeds have reduced values of the averaged intensity of digital gas discharge images. According to the data obtained, the methods of gas-discharge imaging (electrophotography) and microfocus radiography showed high efficiency (> 90%) of accuracy in the detection of empty seeds of Pinus sibirica. It was found that the sample of Zea mays seeds (hybrid Krasnodarskiy 194 MV) was characterized by reduced values of the average intensity of gas-discharge images, as well as the average brightness of digital X-ray images, compared with the other three seed samples. The seed sample of hybrid Krasnodarskiy 194 MB was characterized by the worst sowing qualities: emergence rate, germination, root length and shoot length. It was shown that the Krasnodarskiy 194 MB seeds were affected by phytopathogenic bacteria Pantoea ananatis. The average inverse correlations of a number of characteristics of gas-discharge glow (area, total intensity) with the standard deviation of brightness of digital X-ray images, as well as weak reliable correlation of most gas-discharge characteristics with seeding qualities were found. Comparative assessment of gas discharge indices and seedlings germination as integral indices for evaluation of biological completeness of Zea mays seeds was carried out. Research has confirmed that the method of gas discharge visualization in combination with automatic analysis of digital gas-discharge images can be used as an effective additional tool for rapid detection of defective seeds.

As a result of analysis of the quality of Pinus pumila seeds by the method of microfocus X-ray radiography in combination with the automatic analysis of digital X-ray images, it was found that the best characteristics of individual structures and organs of seeds were demonstrated in samples collected from trees growing at site 71 of BIN RAS; the worst — from seeds taken from South Sakhalin. The seeding qualities of Pinus pumila seed samples were determined by standard methods. Based on analysis of the characteristics of digital X-ray images of Pinus pumila seeds, it was found that a seed sample from site 71 BIN RAS was characterized by the high level of embryo area 4.19±0.49 mm2, maximum embryo to thalus ratio 60.95±7.45 %, high level of endosperm area 23.93±1.24 mm2, and maximum ratio square of embryo area 9.45 ±1.17 %. The same sample was characterized by a maximum weight of 1000 seeds and a maximum absolute and soil germination ratio, compared to other samples. The obtained data showed that Pinus pumila seeds collected from plants introduced in northwestern Russia by most parameters are not inferior or are even superior to seeds from the natural range.

Various methods of diagnostics of their quality are used for evaluation of biological completeness of economic suitability of individual seeds in precision experiments, as well as for selection of household-suitable lots of seeds in controlled industrial seed production, including method of soft-beam microfocus X-ray radiography. Existing traditional approaches (testing of germination in laboratory conditions) do not allow to assess the economic suitability of seeds in field conditions, as for this purpose it is necessary to use a comprehensive assessment of the quality of seed material taking into account its hidden damage.

The aim of this work was to assess the effectiveness of X-ray radiography when evaluating the suitability of batches of grain for sowing or technological purposes, taking into account the possibility to control them during the post-harvest ripening period. X-ray radiography allows solving the problem of choosing batches of grain for different purposes with a minimum level of hidden defects and a high degree of economic suitability for sowing or technological purposes. This technique is of particular value for conducting a preliminary assessment of the quality and biosafety of grain immediately after harvesting when traditional methods are not always applicable.

Приведены характеристики современных аппаратных решений, используемых для получения цифровых рентгеновских изображений семян. Описаны основные способы визуализации и приемы анализа цифровых рентгеновских изображений семян. Выявлены и проанализированы скрытые дефекты образцов семян исследуемых древесных лесных пород: сосны кедровой сибирской (Pinus sibirica DuTour) и сосны кедровой корейской (P. Koraiensis Siebold \& Zucc.), кукурузы сахарной (Zeamays L.), а также огурца посевного (Cucumis sativum L.) и перца овощного (Capsicum annuum L.) методом микрофокусной рентгенографии в сочетании с автоматическим анализом цифровых рентгеновских изображений. Показано, что пустозернистые и частично полнозернистые семена имеют пониженные значения показателя "Средняя яркость" рентгенограмм. Проведена сравнительная оценка рентгеновских показателей и всхожести проростков как интегральных показателей для оценки биологической полноценности семян. Ключевые слова: микрофокусная рентгенография семян, анализ изображений семян, посевные качества семян, семена древесных лесных пород, семена сельскохозяйственных культур.

Modern hardware solutions used to obtain digital X-ray images of seeds are characterized. The main visualization methods and techniques for analyzing digital X-ray images of seeds are described. We revealed and assessed hidden defects of seed samples of the studied species such as Siberian cedar pine ( Pinus sibirica Du Tour), Korean cedar pine ( P. koraiensis Siebold & Zucc.), sugar corn ( Zea mays L.), cucumber ( Cucumis sativum L.), and pepper ( Capsicum annuum L.) by microfocus X-ray radiography in combination with automatic analysis of digital X-ray images. Empty-grain and partially full-grain seeds have lower values of the “average brightness” of X-ray diffraction patterns. A comparative assessment of X-ray indicators and germination capacity of seedlings as integrated indicators for assessing the biological usefulness of seeds is performed.

X-ray method is the best instrument to solve the task of seeds quality diagnostics. Microfocal radiography with direct X-ray magnification is proposed. Images after scanning or direct transfer from the recording matrix to a computer screen are received and analyzed. Such an approach allows the seeds production industry to get to the new technological level.

AbstractX-ray computer methods of research (projection microfocus radiography and microtomography), which are used to study the problem of hidden defects of seeds and investigate its impact on sowing quality, have been considered. The description and main characteristics of technical means that were used to obtain digital two-dimensional and three-dimensional (tomographic) X-ray images of seeds have been given and the possible ways of their quantitative computer processing and analysis have been discussed. Conclusions about the abilities of the methods of projection microfocus radiography and microtomography to study the features of the internal structures of a seed that are related to the violation of its integrity have been formulated.

X-ray computer methods of research (projection microfocus radiography and microtomography), which are used to study the problem of hidden defects of seeds and investigate its impact on sowing quality, have been considered. The description and main characteristics of technical means that were used to obtain digital two-dimensional and three-dimensional (tomographic) X-ray images of seeds have been given and the possible ways of their quantitative computer processing and analysis have been discussed. Conclusions about the abilities of the methods of projection microfocus radiography and microtomography to study the features of the internal structures of a seed that are related to the violation of its integrity have been formulated.

The study of introscopic characteristics and growth parameters of English oak acorns was performed for hidden defects identification and sowing qualities of seeds evaluation.Subject of study were acorns of English oak.The place of collecting -Saint Petersburg region, year cropping -2015.The following methods were applied: microfocus X-Ray with image analysis of digital X-Ray images, gas discharge visualization and standard emergence rate and germination test (GOST 13056.6-97),with additional measurements of root and shoot length.The short description of the non-destructive methods, including the modes of image obtaining and ways of the automatic analysis of the received images and also technical specifications of their realization used in a research is provided.The results show, that it is possible to reveal hidden defects of English oak acorns using microfocus X-Ray and gas discharge visualization techniques.Examples of digital Х-ray images of English oak acorns having the hidden defects (stress micro cracks and enzyme mycosis exhaustion) are given.It is revealed, that viable and unviable samples of acorns were significantly different by X-Ray characteristics.Statistically significant differences of gasdischarge characteristics between germinated and undergerminated acorns of English oak have

ВОЗМОЖНОСТИ ЦИФРОВОЙ РЕНТГЕНОГРАФИИ ДЛЯ КОНТРОЛЯ КАЧЕСТВА

Проведено сравнительное исследование малых партий семян яровой мягкой пшеницы и ярового ячменя, сформированных при помощи метода электростатической сепарации. Для сравнения полученных фракций использовались традиционные методы оценки ростовых показателей, методы морфометрического и денситометрического анализа рентгенообразов семян, а также метод газоразрядной визуализации. Установлено, что по ряду стандартных показателей качества (всхожесть – у ячменя; масса 1000 семян – у пшеницы и ячменя) наиболее оптимальной оказалась фракция под номером 2. Так, семена данной фракции характеризовались максимальными значениями показателя массы 1000 семян. Результаты денситометрического анализа рентгенообразов семян показали, что они являлись также наиболее плотными (самый высокий показатель средней яркости). Высокие показатели крупности и плотности дают основание полагать, что семена данной фракции обладают лучшими посевными качествами, что было подтверждено их самой высокой всхожестью. Также установлено, что стандартный показатель «энергия прорастания», параметр «средняя интенсивность газоразрядного свечения» (ед. яркости) и энтропия газоразрядного свечения (относительные единицы) положительно связаны между собой. Полученные результаты свидетельствуют о том, что интроскопические методы оценки качества семенного материала могут успешно применяться для определения эффективности электростатической сепарации семян.