Possibility use of digital image analysis for the estimation of the rapeseed maturity stage

Abstract

Green seeds are considered undesirable impurities in rapeseed mass for edible oil production. The rapeseed maturity degree is mostly determined by visual evaluation of the embryo colour. In this study, digital image analysis (DIA) was used for characterisation of rapeseed samples harvested at different maturity stages. The seed size, surface and cross-section colour in RGB, HSI and L*a*b* colour spaces as well as share of green seeds and content of pigments were determined. The statistically significant correlation coefficients calculated between the chlorophyll pigment content and cross-section colour attributes indicate the potential use of DAI to determine the rapeseed maturity stage.