X-ray inspection technique aids forest tree seed production

The collection, cleaning, drying and storage of enough tree seeds for reforestation in California is increasingly important in today's forest management. A prime factor inhibiting seed production is insect damage. Many insect pests are not externally visible, and empty seeds or deformed or diseased embryos cannot be discovered except by seed dissection. A new highspeed X-ray technique for the rapid analysis of the proportion of sound seed is discussed in this report.