Optical properties of maize seeds
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1
National Polytechnic Institute, Sepi-Esime, Zacatenco. Professional Unit ‘Adolfo López Mateos’, Col. Lindavista, México D.F., C.P. 07738, Mexico
2
Physics Department, CINVESTAV – IPN, A.P. 14-740, Mexico D.F., C.P. 07360, Mexico
3
Academic Unit of Physics, Autonomy University of Zacatecas, A.P. 580, Zacatecas, Mexico
4
College of Postgraduates IREGEP, Seed Program, Montecillo, Edo. de Mexico, C.P. 56180, Mexico
Int. Agrophys. 2011, 25(3): 223-227
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ABSTRACT
The aim of this study was to determine the optical properties of raw and dyed maize seeds using photoacoustic spectroscopy. The experimental photoacoustic spectroscopy results are verified by using transmission photometry and the Beer law. The obtained values of the optical absorption coefficient for raw and dyed seeds only change at superficial level and also depend on the incident wavelength of light. The experimental results show an increment of the superficial optical absorption coefficient values in the dyed seeds, when compared to the raw seeds, of 45, 37, and 8.9% at 633, 635 and 650 nm, respectively. The results show that the photoacoustic spectroscopy technique can be useful in the optical characterization of seeds in the agricultural sector.