Methods of determining initial growth of field bean seedlings are important to determine seed vigor. A laboratory experiment was carried out with the objective of determining initial bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) seedling growth using digital images compared to traditional laboratory tests using two cultivars each represented by four seed lots of different physiological quality germinated at different temperatures. The digital images were processed using the Sigma Scan Pro v. 5.0 software. Temperatures used were 10, 15, 20, 25 and 30 ºC, the cultivars 'Valente' and 'Uirapuru' and four seed lots of each cultivar with different physiological characteristics obtained by artificial aging periods of zero, 12, 24 and 36 hours at 41 C and 100% relative humidity. Images were captured by digital camera (SonyTM 3.2mp). A randomized complete block experimental design was used with four replicates. Tests included: hypocotyl and root length evaluated by the traditional method and digital imaging. Results showed comparable efficiency of both to determine field bean initial seedling growth.
Digital imaging; hypocotyl; root; temperature
