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Agriculture

Researchers Develop Innovative Device to Assess Seed Viability in Agriculture

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

A team of researchers at TCS Research has introduced an innovative device, dubbed "AgriSPEC," to enhance the assessment of seed viability in agriculture. This handheld device utilizes a smartphone and laser speckle imaging to analyze biological activity levels within multiple samples simultaneously, enabling stakeholders to optimize crop inputs and promote sustainability in agriculture. The device's compact design and low-cost feature make it an attractive solution for seed selection protocols. By analyzing germination tests, the researchers have demonstrated the effectiveness of their device in generating high-contrast graphical maps representing seed biological activity.

Key Takeaways:

  • The AgriSPEC device is a custom-built, portable imaging device that uses a smartphone and laser speckle imaging to assess seed viability.
  • The device has a compact attachment that incorporates all components for optimal illumination of the samples.
  • The researchers have developed a processing algorithm that combines RGB and speckle images to generate graphical maps representing seed biological activity.
  • The device is capable of generating maps with enhanced contrast compared to existing methods.
  • The researchers have validated the effectiveness of the device by performing standard germination tests for seed viability.
  • The AgriSPEC device allows stakeholders to integrate this technology into seed selection protocols, promoting sustainability in agriculture.
  • The device is low-cost and provides real-time activity visualization.

Statistics:

  • 10.1038/s44264-025-00055-3: The DOI for the article "AgriSPEC: A smartphone-based, compact biospeckle imager for assessing seed viability" published in npj Sustainable Agriculture.
  • 522: The page number for the news report in Agriculture Week.
  • October 23, 2025: The date the news report was published in Agriculture Week.
  • 3(1):1-11: The journal issue and page numbers for the article "AgriSPEC: A smartphone-based, compact biospeckle imager for assessing seed viability."

Sources:

  • AgriSPEC: A smartphone-based, compact biospeckle imager for assessing seed viability. npj Sustainable Agriculture, 2025,3(1):1-11.
  • doi.org/10.1038/s44264-025-00055-3
  • Agriculture Week, October 23, 2025, p 522.

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