NUCLEAR-MAGNETIC-RESONANCE MICROIMAGING AND X-RADIOGRAPHY AS POSSIBLETECHNIQUES TO STUDY SEED-GERMINATION

Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) micro-imaging and X-radiography were compared to assess their potential as non-destructive techniques for s tudying the germination of pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) seeds. The radi ography technique provided information about internal seed quality in dry seeds but yielded foggy images during their imbibition phase. In c ontrast, NMR micro-imaging clearly displayed the radicle, cotyledons a nd vascular system of the imbibed seeds. Dry seeds were selected from X-ray pictures and NMR images were recorded during their imbibition at a H-1 frequency of 400 MHz with an in-plane resolution of 33 mum X 33 mum. The chemical shift difference between water and lipid proton res onances was exploited to monitor changes in the distribution of the tw o bulk fractions. The experiments showed the effectiveness of NMR micr o-imaging in the study of the morphology of germinating seeds.