The vegetable unit used as rice seed is a caryopsis protected by glumes, which obstruct the visualization of internal damages. X-ray radiographs in rice seeds make possible to see and identify fissures, without preparing the seeds. The objective of this work was to determine parameters that may be possible to obtain radiographs of rice seeds to evaluate fissures, after drying process. The experiment was conducted at the Laboratory of Analysis of Images of the Department of Vegetal Production, of the Superior School of Agriculture Luiz de Queiroz (ESALQ/USP), in Piracicaba-SP, Brazil. Seeds of irrigated rice of IRGA 417 and IRGA 420 cultivars were used. Seeds were submitted to different radiation intensities obtained by combinations of 11, 13, 14, 15 and 17 Kv and exposition times of 120, 180, 300, and 360 seconds. Radiographs were obtained in equipment of the FAXITRON X-Ray, with the radiographic film (KodaK, size 18x24cm), in a distance of 35 cm from the X-rays source. Films were developed in an automatic processor (Hope X-ray) and images were digitalized in scanner (Umax, PowerLook 1100), for posterior evaluation in computer. Image interpretation was not affected by cultivars, but by seed position on the film. The lateral position, with the embryo positioned to the left side make fissure visualization. Easy Low X-ray intensities produced very clear images, whith difficult identification of the fissures. The combination of 14Kv and 360s was more satisfactory, because it was possible to identify seed parts, and to show fissure without distortions. Even the best combination of calibration did not permit to clearly visualize embryo different parts.
Oryza sativa L.; analysis of images; physical quality; drying
