The Characteristic of Hyperspectral Image of Wheat Seeds during Sprouting

The pre-harvest sprouting of wheat have significant influence for its quality and yield, therefore the fast detection of sprouting extent of wheat is very important for breeding and producing. In this study, the hyperspectral images of these seeds were collected by a near infrared hyperspectral imaging system, the wavelength of which was 850-1700 nm after wheat germination experiment at 0h, 12h, 24h, and 48h. The original light intensity of embryo and endosperm were extracted, and were then changed to reflectivity for later analysis. The image and spectral information of wheat with different parts, different varieties and different sprouting extent were compared. The results showed that after 12h sprouting, the reflectivity of embryo was lower than that of endosperm for the same seed, this is mainly due to the water and fat content of embryo was higher than the endosperm portions. For the same varieties of wheat seed at the germination of 12h, 24h and 48h,in the wavelength range of 870-1300 nm, the reflectivity increased with the increase of sprouting time, it was related to the changes of its internal content of fat in the seed germination process. At 1400nm, the reflectivity of sprouted wheat seeds were all lower than that of dry seeds, it was related to the rise of internal water content in the process of seed germination. Due to differences in seed water absorption and sprouting resistance, for different varieties of wheat seeds, its spectral characteristics are also different. The presented indicated that hyperspectral imaging could reflect the characteristics of sprouted wheat seeds, which provide some basis for explore the sprouting index by hyperspectral imaging.