THE APPLICATION OF IMAGE-ANALYSIS IN DETERMINING SIB PROPORTION AND ABERRANT CHARACTERIZATION IN F1-HYBRID BRASSICA POPULATIONS

Image analysis of seeds, cotyledons and leaves in two-dimensions and s eeds in pseudo-three-dimensions was carried cut in selected population s of Brussels sprouts and cabbages to determine the amount of sib cont amination in F1 hybrid production. A novel cluster analysis was applie d to the data and individual aberrants were selected. Comparative stud ies using acid phosphatase isoenzyme analysis, germination tests and v isual grading, were carried out to characterize the selected aberrants . Image analysis offers the potential economic advantages of being les s demanding of skilled labour, of reduced overheads and of being carri ed out in real time. It also has the potential to select individual ab errants in large populations, allowing upgrading of seed quality. Crit eria for seed quality control are discussed based on the results obtai ned.