Application of microfocus X-ray analysis for quality control of lilac seeds

Abstract

In 2022–2023, specialists of the Plant Biophysics Sector of the Agrophysical Research Institute conducted a series of studies to determine the quality of lilac seeds by the method of microfocus X-ray analysis using a PRDU-02 mobile X-ray diagnostic system manufactured by ZAO “ELTECH-Med”. The number of seeds simultaneously scanned depended on their size and the specifi ed value of direct X-ray magnifi cation. The biometric parameters of common lilac (S. vulgaris) and Hungarian lilac (S. josikaea) seeds were established to diff er signifi cantly. The perimeter of Hungarian lilac seeds was 17.27 mm, thus exceeding the perimeter of common lilac seeds by 3.12 mm. The area of Hungarian and common lilac seeds was 12.44 and 13.21 mm, respectively. A signifi cant defect of lilac seeds was their lack of plumpness, varying from 4.75 to 6.5%. The second most common defect was rotted seeds, varying from 2 to 4.5%. Seed damage was insignifi cant, varying from 1.25 to 1.5%. The conducted studies indicate microfocus X-ray analysis to be a feasible method for selecting high-quality seeds of Hungarian lilac (S. josikaea) and common lilac (S. vulgaris) in the production of seed rootstocks.