Image analysis

The image analysis program in the Grain Research Laboratory is equipped to characterize, measure and objectively assess the appearance of grain and grain products to support the quality assurance system.

Research

In image analysis, researchers:

• Develop rapid and objective technology for assessing visual and spectral characteristics of crops for grading, in collaboration with CGC inspection specialists. Image analysis research has created the TrueGrade© System, an instrument for grading and measuring colour and size in several pulse crops such as peas, chickpeas, lentils and soybeans.
• Work with GRL research scientists to develop image analysis methods for assessing visual characteristics in flour, noodles, and pasta. NoodleScan© was created to characterize the appearance of Asian noodle sheets.
• Characterize the end-use quality of cereal grains, oilseeds and pulses in the CGC harvest survey and in quality monitoring
• Use statistical methods and neural networks to process raw data into meaningful information

Seed biology researchers:

• Monitor grain shipments to provide information on weed and other seeds present
• Research and validate seed names, provide seed identification and weed information support
• Use macro-photography to
  • Document visual grading factors in grains, oilseeds and pulses
  • Document weed seeds
• Produce photographic guides for wheat and barleyvarieties and grain biology bulletins
• Use high-resolution digital photography to preparecolour grading guides for special crops