Background High grain breakage rate is the main limiting factor encountered in the mechanical harvest of maize grain. X-ray micro-computed tomography (μCT) scanning technology could be used to obtain the three-dimensional structure of maize grain. Currently, the effect of maize grain structure on the grain breakage rate, determined using X-ray μCT scanning technology, has not been reported. Therefore, the objectives of this study are: (i) to obtain the shape, geometry, and structural parameters related to the breakage rate using X-ray μCT scanning technology; (ii) to explore relationships between these parameters and grain breakage rate. Result In this study, 28 parameters were determined using X-ray μCT scanning technology. The maize breakage rate was mainly influenced by the grain specific surface area, subcutaneous cavity volume, sphericity, and density. In particular, the breakage rate was directly affected by the subcutaneous cavity volume and density. The maize variety with high density and low subcutaneous cavity volume had a low breakage rate. The specific surface area (r = 0.758*), embryo specific surface area (r = 0.927**), subcutaneous cavity volume ratio (0.581*), and subcutaneous cavity volume (0.589*) of maize grain significantly and positively correlated with breakage rate. The cavity specific surface area (- 0.628*) and grain density (- 0.934**) of maize grain significantly and negatively correlated with grain breakage rates. Grain shape (length, width, thickness, and aspect ratio) positively correlated with grain breakage rate but the correlation did not reach statistical significance. The susceptibility of grain breakage increased when kernel weight decreased (- 0.371), but the effect was not significant. Conclusions The results indicate that X-ray μCT scanning technology could be effectively used to evaluate maize grain breakage rate. X-ray μCT scanning technology provided a more precise and comprehensive acquisition method to evaluate the shape, geometry, and structure of maize grain. Thus, data gained by X-ray μCT can be used as a guideline for breeding resistant breakage maize varieties. Grain density and subcutaneous cavity volume are two of the most important factors affecting grain breakage rate. Grain density, in particular, plays a vital role in grain breakage and this parameter can be used to predict the breakage rate of maize varieties.

中文翻译：

---

X射线微计算机断层扫描（μCT）结构参数及其与玉米品种破损率的关系。

背景技术 籽粒破损率高是玉米籽粒机械收获中遇到的主要限制因素。X射线微计算机断层扫描（μCT）扫描技术可用于获取玉米籽粒的三维结构。目前，利用X射线μCT扫描技术测定玉米籽粒结构对籽粒破碎率的影响尚未见报道。因此，本研究的目标是：（i）利用X射线μCT扫描技术获得与破损率相关的形状、几何形状和结构参数；(ii) 探索这些参数与谷物破碎率之间的关系。结果本研究利用X射线μCT扫描技术确定了28个参数。玉米破碎率主要受籽粒比表面积、皮下腔体积、球形度和密度的影响。特别是，破损率直接受皮下腔体积和密度的影响。密度高、皮下腔容积小的玉米品种破损率低。玉米籽粒比表面积（r = 0.758*）、胚比表面积（r = 0.927**）、皮下腔容积比（0.581*）、皮下腔容积（0.589*）与破碎率显着正相关。玉米籽粒的空腔比表面积（- 0.628*）和籽粒密度（​​- 0.934**）与籽粒破损率显着负相关。颗粒形状（长度、宽度、厚度和长径比）与颗粒破碎率呈正相关，但相关性未达到统计学显着性。当粒重降低时，籽粒破碎的敏感性增加（- 0.371），但影响并不显着。结论 X射线μCT扫描技术可有效评价玉米籽粒破损率。X射线μCT扫描技术为评价玉米籽粒的形状、几何结构和结构提供了更精确、更全面的采集方法。因此，X射线μCT获得的数据可以作为抗破损玉米品种选育的指导。籽粒密度和皮下腔体积是影响籽粒破碎率的两个最重要因素。尤其是籽粒密度，对于籽粒破损起着至关重要的作用，该参数可用于预测玉米品种的破损率。