OPTICAL-PROPERTIES OF DAMAGED SOYBEAN SEEDS

Optical properties of asymptomatic soybean seeds, green seeds, and fou r classes of soybean seeds discolored by fungi were determined using a spectroradiometer. Knowledge of the optical properties of soybean see ds provided a means of identifying that differences in spectral reflec tance existed that could be used for discriminating among asymptomatic soybean seeds and seeds discolored by a pathogen. This knowledge also aided in identifying the feasibility of using color filters as a mean s for separation of soybean seed classes. Electromagnetic radiation be tween 436 and 724 nm provided the most information for linear separati on of soybean seeds, which was useful for identifying differences in t he colors of soybean seeds. However, no single wavelength or combinati on of wavelengths could be used to linearly separate all classes of da maged soybean seeds.