Precision opto-imaging techniques for seed quality assessment: prospects and scope of recent advances

Assessment of the quality of the seed is one of the most essential tasks for seed certification. Good-quality seeds are crucial for enhancing the overall outlay of any crop establishment. Seed quality can be diagnosed through a myriad of parameters, namely, morphological characters, health status, viability, physical and genetic purity, physiological, microbial, and biochemical quality. Recently, various spectroscopic and microscopic-based methods have been developed and used for investigating the structural, chemical, and morphological properties of seeds. These nondestructive and rapid methods have also been tapped to assess the various seed quality parameters. This comprehensive chapter assembles assorted research attempts devoted to spectroscopy and imaging for seed phenotyping and quality monitoring. Also discussed here is the competency of these techniques in typifying the seed quality traits, their challenges and prophesying their future prospects.