Seedling imaging analysis and traditional tests to assess onion seed vigor

The aim of this research was to verify the possibility of using the computerized seedling image analysis to detect differences of vigor among onion seed batches and compare it with the traditional vigor tests. We used seed of  Bella Catarina and Bella Vista cultivars, each one with five baches. It was used the software Seed Vigor Imaging System (SVIS ® ) to process the seedlings images and assess the seedlings length and the vigor, uniformity and growth indexes. These determinations were compared to traditional tests used to evaluate onion seed vigor: percentage and first germination count, percentage and emergency speed of seedlings, accelerated aging, and electrical conductivity. It is concluded that it is possible identifying vigor differences among onion seed batches using SVIS ® , similarly to the traditional vigor tests and the assessments must be done at the fifth day after sowing.