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 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

SUBMITTER: Griffo A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11538308 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature