Non-invasive methods to assess seed quality based on ultra-weak photon emission and delayed luminescence

Abstract Seed quality is the set of physical, genetic, and physiological characteristics, reflecting the overall germination potential. Maintaining an optimal seed quality is essential for agriculture and seed banks to preserve genetic diversity. Compared to conventional methods (e.g., germination t...

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Main Authors: Adriano Griffo, Stefanie Sehmisch, Frédéric Laager, Andrea Pagano, Alma Balestrazzi, Anca Macovei, Andreas Börner
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Nature Portfolio 2024-11-01
Series:Scientific Reports
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-74207-9
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author Adriano Griffo
Stefanie Sehmisch
Frédéric Laager
Andrea Pagano
Alma Balestrazzi
Anca Macovei
Andreas Börner
author_facet Adriano Griffo
Stefanie Sehmisch
Frédéric Laager
Andrea Pagano
Alma Balestrazzi
Anca Macovei
Andreas Börner
author_sort Adriano Griffo
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Seed quality is the set of physical, genetic, and physiological characteristics, reflecting the overall germination potential. Maintaining an optimal seed quality is essential for agriculture and seed banks to preserve genetic diversity. Compared to conventional methods (e.g., germination tests), non-invasive approaches allow a more sustainable and rapid evaluation of seed quality but this is limited by high costs. The measurement of ultra-weak photon emission (UPE) and delayed fluorescence (DL), defined as biological phenomena potentially related to the physiological status of living systems, may represent a suitable approach to estimate seed quality. To test this hypothesis, seeds of five agriculturally relevant legume species (Phaseolus vulgaris L., Lathyrus sativus L., Cicer arietinum L., Pisum sativum L., and Vicia faba L.), stored at different conditions (room temperature or -18 °C) for several years, were analysed using a LIANA© prototype to collect data regarding DL and UPE occurring after UV excitation. The obtained data were integrated with germination parameters which underline species-specific behaviours in response to storage conditions. The prediction models show variable efficiency in classifying seeds based on germination which underline species-dependent links between photon emission and seed quality. Therefore, these measurements represent novel, non-invasive, and rapid approaches to evaluate seed quality.
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spelling doaj-art-86e1bfd5b3c94e78a03c592762b166c92025-08-20T04:02:51ZengNature PortfolioScientific Reports2045-23222024-11-0114111110.1038/s41598-024-74207-9Non-invasive methods to assess seed quality based on ultra-weak photon emission and delayed luminescenceAdriano Griffo0Stefanie Sehmisch1Frédéric Laager2Andrea Pagano3Alma Balestrazzi4Anca Macovei5Andreas Börner6Department of Biology and Biotechnology ‘L. Spallanzani’, University of PaviaLeibniz Institute of Plant Genetics and Crop Plant ResearchSUPER LabDepartment of Biology and Biotechnology ‘L. Spallanzani’, University of PaviaDepartment of Biology and Biotechnology ‘L. Spallanzani’, University of PaviaDepartment of Biology and Biotechnology ‘L. Spallanzani’, University of PaviaLeibniz Institute of Plant Genetics and Crop Plant ResearchAbstract Seed quality is the set of physical, genetic, and physiological characteristics, reflecting the overall germination potential. Maintaining an optimal seed quality is essential for agriculture and seed banks to preserve genetic diversity. Compared to conventional methods (e.g., germination tests), non-invasive approaches allow a more sustainable and rapid evaluation of seed quality but this is limited by high costs. The measurement of ultra-weak photon emission (UPE) and delayed fluorescence (DL), defined as biological phenomena potentially related to the physiological status of living systems, may represent a suitable approach to estimate seed quality. To test this hypothesis, seeds of five agriculturally relevant legume species (Phaseolus vulgaris L., Lathyrus sativus L., Cicer arietinum L., Pisum sativum L., and Vicia faba L.), stored at different conditions (room temperature or -18 °C) for several years, were analysed using a LIANA© prototype to collect data regarding DL and UPE occurring after UV excitation. The obtained data were integrated with germination parameters which underline species-specific behaviours in response to storage conditions. The prediction models show variable efficiency in classifying seeds based on germination which underline species-dependent links between photon emission and seed quality. Therefore, these measurements represent novel, non-invasive, and rapid approaches to evaluate seed quality.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-74207-9Delayed luminescenceLeguminosaeMachine learningNon-invasive assessmentSeed qualityUltra-weak photon emission
spellingShingle Adriano Griffo
Stefanie Sehmisch
Frédéric Laager
Andrea Pagano
Alma Balestrazzi
Anca Macovei
Andreas Börner
Non-invasive methods to assess seed quality based on ultra-weak photon emission and delayed luminescence
Scientific Reports
Delayed luminescence
Leguminosae
Machine learning
Non-invasive assessment
Seed quality
Ultra-weak photon emission
title Non-invasive methods to assess seed quality based on ultra-weak photon emission and delayed luminescence
title_full Non-invasive methods to assess seed quality based on ultra-weak photon emission and delayed luminescence
title_fullStr Non-invasive methods to assess seed quality based on ultra-weak photon emission and delayed luminescence
title_full_unstemmed Non-invasive methods to assess seed quality based on ultra-weak photon emission and delayed luminescence
title_short Non-invasive methods to assess seed quality based on ultra-weak photon emission and delayed luminescence
title_sort non invasive methods to assess seed quality based on ultra weak photon emission and delayed luminescence
topic Delayed luminescence
Leguminosae
Machine learning
Non-invasive assessment
Seed quality
Ultra-weak photon emission
url https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-74207-9
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