High Throughput Image Analysis between Seed Traits Opens New Breeding Avenues in Tartary Buckwheat Germplasm.

Recognizing the variation of genetic resources is the first step in selection. One of the most important variations in grain crops is the uniformity of seed grain weight, which can be converted into seed size. However, it has been challenging since it needs high labor costs and time to measure it on a large scale. The current study used an image analysis technique to measure the grain seed area of about 100 seeds per accession with 64 germplasm of Tartary buckwheat (Fagopyrum tataricum) to study variation among and within them. To understand the nature of variation, skewness and kurtosis analysis of probability density function curve for seed area were used. As a result, a large variation among and within accessions was found. This means that the seed sizes within an accession are not uniform in this given cleistogamous species due to its non-uniform flowering time. This implies that the seed size should be considered an important factor for the germplasm enhancement program. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]