ARS | Publication request: AN AUTOMATED NIR SINGLE-KERNEL TRAIT SELECTION SYSTEM

Submitted to: American Association of Cereal Chemists Meetings
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: April 1, 2005
Publication Date: September 1, 2005
Citation: Dowell, F.E., Maghirang, E.B. An automated nir single-kernel trait selection system. American Association of Cereal Chemists Meetings.

Technical Abstract: An automated system was developed to measure quality characteristics of single kernels, and then sort the kernels based on selected traits. The system picks up kernels using the feeder from the SKCS 4100 (Perten Instruments, Springfield, Illinois), then drops each kernel into a viewing area where a near-infrared spectrum (900-1700 nm) is collected. The system then sorts the kernel into one of four bins based on a user-defined calibration at a rate of about 1 kernel/s. Applications of this technology include non-destructively selecting kernels with specific quality traits such as hardness or protein content from breeder samples to assist in developing new cultivars with specific traits, or for studying the effects of environment or genetics on the distribution of quality within samples. The system can also be used to select kernels with specific traits from samples to study baking characteristics of those selected kernels. The system can also be used to detect and remove traits important for grading, such as non-vitreous or sprout damaged kernels. Although originally developed for wheat, the system has also been used to separate sorghum by hardness, and is being used to study the waxy character of millet. In non-grain applications, the system is also being used to sex tsetse fly pupae, which are about the same size of a grain kernel, for Sterile Insect Technique eradication programs in cooperation with the CDC, Atlanta, Georgia, and FAO/IAEA, Seibersdorf, Austria. The system is being commercialized by Perten Instruments (Stockholm, Sweden).