Features and Benefits
SeedCount is a digital imaging system specifically
designed for the grain industry. It uses software and
scanner technology to rapidly and accurately analyze
a sample of grain and determine its principal characteristics.
It generates detailed data tables that can be exported
to any spreadsheet or database program. It provides
this detailed information without damaging the grain
sample.
SeedCount is currently offered for barley, wheat, rice
and corn analysis. Future versions will include additional
trays and calibrations for other grains and cereals.
SeedCount is essential for anyone who grows, sells,
buys or uses grain and/or assesses its quality. Potential
users are breeders, brewers, dealers, growers, food
processors, maltsters, millers, etc.
NOTE: There is a separate Corn interface and manual,
please refer to the manual for more information.
How Does SeedCount Work?
SeedCount uses a modified flatbed desktop scanner and
a Microsoft™ Windows based personal computer to
create a digital image of a sample of grain, and then
analyses the image. The scanner operates facing down
inside the instrument cabinet.
A sub-sample of the grain is obtained with the sampling
tube. The tube collects a sample "core" from
all levels in a bucket or small bag of grain.
The tube contents are transferred to a volumetric cup.
Up t718 barley, 1000 wheat, 1300 rice or 316 corn kernels
can be analyzed at once.
The sample is placed on a special indented tray, and
shaken to distribute the seeds into the shaped indents.
The indents have varying shapes allowing some seeds
to fall into wide, shallow indents and lie on their
back.
In this position the length, width and area of the
seeds can be measured. Other seeds fall into narrower
indents and are held on their edge. When on their edge
their thickness can be measured. Some grains, e.g. corn,
also use end-on indents for viewing the crown
directly.
The tray is placed in the scanner cabinet. SeedCount
then scans the sample at 300 dpi in 16.8 million colours.
The image can be saved to the computer’s hard
drive as a lossless JPEG image file or as a BMP file
for future reference.
The user must enter the clean weight of the sample
and can also enter the initial as-is weight, moisture
percentage, protein percentage and the volume of the
sample. The user and site identification can also be
entered.
The grain is not damaged by the scanning process and
can be retained for retesting or used for other purposes.
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What Does SeedCount Test?
SeedCount analyses the image and calculates
the following quantities:
-
Average Area - area in sq. mm of
whole seeds in the Wide section of the tray
-
Aspect Ratio
-
Roundness
-
Number of whole seeds
-
Kernel Weight
As-is basis – weight of 1000 seeds in grams
Dry basis – weight of 1000 seeds in grams
Test Weight - in kilograms per hectoliter or pounds
per bushel
-
Dockage - Percentage
-
Discoloured Kernels
Seeds that are either generally dark or moldy,
red or marked with red, that are green, that are
yellow
Blackpoint or Blacktip - if enabled
by the user, number and percentage of seeds with
the defect. Blackpoint Manual Editing - the operator
can manually edit the automatic assessment
-
Chalk - if enabled by the user
Percentage and Number of seeds with the defect.
A score for each seed tested, to help determine
its chalkiness
-
White Seeds – generally due
to exposed endosperm or fusarium infection
-
CIE L*a*b* – average L, a
and b values - and standard deviation for the
sample
-
Screening Distribution - Percent
mass corresponding to slotted screen sieving measurements
-
Kernel classifications for medium,
long grain, arboririce. Some of the Rice specific
classifications include: Paddy, immature green
grains, red seeds, red streaked or specked seeds.
Yellow seeds, black and black specked seeds. Discoloured
seeds
The program can save all of this data
- and more in a convenient form for use in a spreadsheet
or database.
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