Count grains in a sample from a photo

Counting grain kernels in a rice, wheat or maize sample

Grain kernels are counted for sample work: kernel counts on rice, wheat and maize samples, grading checks that need the same framing every time, extension and classroom demonstrations, and draft tallies for a quality record a person signs off. The kernels are small, similar and easily nudged into each other, so the layout makes most of the difference.

Pale grains such as rice and wheat show best on a dark, matte tray, and dark or colored kernels on a light one. Rice is slightly translucent, so a dark background keeps each kernel outline crisp. Kernels lying end to end can join into one long shape; tap the tray and push them apart. Decide before counting whether broken kernels count, mark a whole kernel as the example in Similar items, and add a broken kernel as a second example only if your method counts brokens.

Repeat samples only compare when the tray, camera height and light stay the same. Check the markers, then add the sample to the tally with its lot and date. Whole seeds for sowing are covered by the seed counter, and sacks of grain in a store by the grain sack counter.

Grain sample checks

• Dark tray for pale kernels, light tray for dark ones
• Kernels pushed apart, none lying end to end
• A rule decided for broken kernels
• The same tray, height and light for every sample