Optical sorting methods and information technologies in the integrated system for improving the quality and traceability of bare sown cotton seeds

The paper analyzes the current state of cotton seed preparation technologies in the Republic of Uzbekistan and abroad. The shortcomings of existing domestic and foreign approaches to the treatment of bare cotton seeds are revealed. The complex approach to the improvement of quality characteristics of seeds based on the application of modern optical methods of sorting and computerized information technologies to ensure their traceability is offered. The possibilities of seed quality improvement by combining different methods of sorting have been studied: pneumatic (by windage), mechanical (by geometric parameters - width, thickness and length) and optical (by color using photo-separators). The use of artificial intelligence to train sorting systems and improve their accuracy was noted. It is noted that the consistent application of various sorting methods, including optical at the final stage, in combination with modern information technologies, provides the production of high quality cotton seeds. The proposed system also allows for computerized accounting of each bag and lot of treated seed as a whole and the prompt provision of this information to consumers, which ensures the traceability of seed material. The technology of preparation of bare sown cotton seeds was developed, including twelve-fold sorting: six-fold before the process of delinting (by different methods) and six-fold after the delinting (including optical method), and new information technologies for accounting and traceability of seeds were introduced.