Interaction between geometrical features and technological quality of Polish wheat grains

Kernel geometry of 12 Polish wheat cultivars was examined by computer image analysis basing on their three fractions separated by size with Vogel sieve of 3.15 mm (fraction 1), 2.5 mm (fraction 2) and 2.2 mm mesh (fraction 3). The relations between the geometrical characteristics of kernels were determined as the function of contour shape factor and lenght, width, perimeter or surface area. To define the interactions between the geometrical features and technological quality, the grains of fraction 1 and 2 were assayed for a thousand kerne! weight, sedimentation number, the content of gluten and protein. The relations between the content of protein or average kerne! weight and the surface area, on the basis of which the indices A and B, respectively, were computed, were assumed for difforentiation among the fractions. lt was found that kerne!_ geometrical features of fraction 1 and 2 varied more than those of fraction 3. The kernels of particular fractions were best differentiated by the relation between the kerne! lenght and contour shape factor. Except average kerne! weight and the protein content, the values of grain quality factors of fraction 1 and 2 showed high irregularities. The values of iodex A for the grains of fraction 2 were higher and those of index B - lower as compared to respective values for the grains of fraction 1. Thus, potentiality of these indices for wheat grain classification is suggested.