Location: Grain Quality and Structure Research
Project Number: 3020-43440-002-016-S
Project Type: Non-Assistance Cooperative Agreement
Start Date: May 15, 2020
End Date: May 14, 2025
Objective:
This project will have the following objectives 1) to evaluate and develop methods and instrumentation for image and hyperspectral analysis of sorghum and seeds, 2) utilize these methods to measure grain composition and physical properties. The primary goal will be relating these measurements to the milling process and end-use quality and to help define breeder goals in regards to measurements.
Approach:
Experiments will be conducted using whole and cut grain kernels for imaging and hyperspectral analysis. Sorghum and other grain samples will be selected that have a broad range of physical properties including kernel color, kernel size, kernel hardness, starch type (waxy vs. non-waxy), and bulk chemical composition. Image analysis will be used to measure physical traits including pericarp thickness, vitreousity, germ size, germ to endosperm ratio, and kernel morphology. Hyperspectral imaging will be used to measure composition across the cross-section of single seeds and define major regions and concentrations of protein, starch, oil and other constituents. Imaging and hyperspectral data will be related to end-use quality of sorghum by evaluating for milling properties and other valuable traits such as amino acid composition and digestibility.
