Indian Society of Genetics & Plant Breeding
HE X-ray photographic method of analysing seed'quality developed by Simak and
Gustafsson (1953, 1954, 1957) is based on the principle that the different parts of a seed
such as testa, endosperm and embryo, absorb X-rays to different extents and can
consequently be differentiated in an X-ray photograph. Thus, it is possible in an
X-ray picture to recognise the structure and extent of development of tl:le embryo and
endosperm and also to detect mechanical injuries as well as damage caused by pests
and pathogens. The small dose of X-rays given does not affect the viability of the
seeds and they can be germinated after being photographed. By comparing the
germination capacity with the structure of the seed-particularly the relative development of embryo and endosperm-it may be possible to draw inferences on seed quality
from X-ray pictures alone. Gustafsson and Simak (1957) have shown the important
role that X-ray diagnosis of seed quality can play in the selection and improvement
of forest trees. Simak (1957) has developed methods by which the physiological
soundness of morphologically normal seeds can be detected by X-ray analysis, thereby
extending the usefulness of this technique for estimating the viability of seeds.
Year: 1961
Volume: 21
Issue: 2
Article DOI: NA
Print ISSN: 0019-5200
Online ISSN: 0975-6906
M. S. SWAMINATHAN and S. K. KAMRA info_circle
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