Discrimination based on changes in the physical properties of fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum L.) seeds subjected to various cultivation conditions

This study discusses relationships between the physical properties of fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum L.) seeds and the influence of selected cultivation measures (seed inoculation, chemical protection of plants) on the classification of seeds into homogeneous groups. The key variables in the modeling process were the physical properties of fenugreek seeds, including density, porosity and thousand seed weight, followed by the attributes determined by image analysis. A total of over 50 geometric parameters and 190 image texture parameters representing 10 different color channels were described. Color parameters were measured in the Lab* color space. It was found that cultivation measures influenced the analyzed physical properties of fenugreek seeds. A classification model was developed by combining variables describing the physical properties and color parameters of seeds, and spectral values in the range of 620–700 nm. Classification accuracy reached 99–100 % in the control group and 92–93 % in the group of variables describing the physical properties and geometric parameters of seeds.