| Abstract |
Grain yield, ear and kernel attributes can assist to understand the performance of maize plant under different environmental conditions and can be used in the variety development process to address farmer’s preferences. These parameters are however still laborious and expensive to measure. The ear digital imaging is a low-cost, high throughput method that provides estimates of ear and kernel attributes i.e., ear number and size, kernel number and size as well as kernel weight from photos of ears harvested from field trial plots. The image processing method uses a script that runs in a batch mode on ImageJ; an open source software. Current investment in combine harvesters at key breeding locations may supersede this technology; however it will continue to provide an important quality control feedback in on-farm trials where yields are generally measured by non-researchers. Furthermore, the cost and maintenance of harvest equipment does not make them accessible for small breeding programs, especially within national programs. This manual is designed to assist maize breeders and technicians in ear and kernel attributes evaluation. |
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