46
SEED TESTING INTERNATIONAL   www.seedtest.org
TRAINING AND EDUCATION •
Denmark) showed how digital microscopy 
cannot only be used to store imaged-based 
seed information, but also to work together on 
seed identification on the same seed sample, 
in real time at different locations worldwide. 
This opens the way to sharing expertise and 
working together from different locations in 
a laboratory setting. Finally, Bram Wiggers 
(Track32, The Netherlands) showed the use of 
mobile telephone-based computer vision apps 
for large-scale uniformity and usability counts of 
seedlings in trays. After the lectures there were 
several demonstrations of advanced equipment 
for imaged-based seed testing. The participants 
attended the demonstrations in small groups in 
a rotating scheme, allowing for easy discussions 
and specific questions. Before the joint dinner 
many participants tried a refreshing swim in the 
Faxe Bugt.
On the second day, participants started the 
hands-on work in MSI analysis: from exploratory 
image analysis to use in OSD and purity. The 
practical work contained exercises to explore and 
learn different aspects of MSI analysis. MSIs from 
different seeds were used to illustrate the process 
from image to discrimination and identification 
of different species, broken seeds, as well as inert 
matter. Instructions and assistance were given 
by a large expert team (Birte Boelt, Marting 
Himmelboe, Jens Michael Carstensen, Cathrine 
Underbjerg Hansen, Karsten Hartelius), ensuring 
support to all participants on an individual 
basis. The hands-on work was followed by a 
lecture from Lars Wadsö (University of Lund, 
Sweden) on the use of calorimetry in seed quality 
determination. As a social event everybody 
walked from the workshop location to the Stevns 
Klint experience, a 30-minute walk along the 
coastline. At Stevns Klint, traces of the asteroid 
that hit the earth and wiped out the dinosaurs 
are still visible. This dramatic moment in Earth’s 
history is present in a thin layer of clay that 
helped make Stevns Klint a UNESCO World 
Lecture topics ranged from an introduction to ISTA, the ISTA Technical Committees (Nadine Ettel, 
left), the Advanced Technologies Committee, multispectral imaging, RGB imaging, X-ray CT scanning 
and calorimetry (Lars Wadsö, right), to artificial intelligence applications
Participants did hands-on exercises on multispectral image analysis in other seed determination; 
image analysis specialists helped and instructed them to ensure everybody was able to understand 
and execute the exercises
Different types of equipment were demonstrated to participants in small groups
Heritage site. The participants enjoyed the 
guided tour of the museum as well as the coastal 
scenery.
Before the official workshop dinner, a short 
presentation (by Bert van Duijn) and interactive 
discussions were held on the use of AI chatbots 
in seed testing practice. Examples in the design 
of seed germination tests and seed test result 
analysis with the use of AI were presented. In 
addition, we discussed the policies present in the 
different work environments regarding the use 
of AI in seed testing practice. ATC will use the 
outcome of the discussions for further analysis 
of the possibilities, limitations, positive and 
negative aspects of the use of AI tools in seed 
testing.
 
On the final day, excursions to two seed 
companies were organised. By bus, the 
participants first visited DLF at Nørre Alslev. 
They enjoyed a tour through the grass and clover 
seed processing facilities. At these facilities MSI 
analysis in the grass seed processing line is in 
operation. Samples are analysed by MSI before 
and during the seed processing to adjust the 
seed cleaning and sorting process in an optimal 
way. The demonstration of MSI in operation 
showed that the application of MSI in seed 
quality determination is not a future possibility 
but an already implemented practice. The next 
visit was to Vikima Seed in Holeby. Vikima Seed 
has developed an MSI tool for OSD analysis 
of spinach seeds with very high accuracy. Brit 
Malec (Vikima Seeds) explained the [long] route 
to establishment and implementation of the 
MSI tool in the seed production process. It was 
impressive to learn that more than 50 % of the 
world’s spinach seed production is analysed by 
just one MSI analysis machine.
Besides knowledge transfer and practical 
activities, the networking and discussions 
among participants were an important part 
of the workshop. In the discussions on the 
requirements for new technologies for seed 
testing, it was concluded that speed, accuracy, 
repeatability and cost are very important.

View this content as a flipbook by clicking here.