Count seeds in a tray from a photo

Seed counter for lot samples, trial trays and packet checks

A seed counter turns a slow, error-prone job into one photo and a review. Seed labs, agronomists and crop researchers count a sample from a seed lot before it is bagged, count out seeds for thousand-seed weight and purity work, check a delivered count against the packet claim, and record small-plot trials with one photo per tray. The result is a reviewed draft, not a certified seed test.

Spread the sample on a plain tray that contrasts with the seed: black for pale cereals and beans, white for dark seeds such as poppy or brassicas. Push seeds apart with a card so none touch. Small seeds need a closer shot rather than a wider one; on the free plan the photo is counted at web size, so split a large sample into portions. Chaff, broken seed and dust can be picked up as small items: if that happens, mark one whole seed as the example in Auto and raise Ignore small detections until the specks drop out.

Each tray becomes its own row once its markers are checked. On Premium, Bulk audit counts up to 60 tray photos in one run (200 on Pro) in Distinct objects mode, shows a grand total and adds every result to the tally. Cereal kernels have their own grain counter, and germinated trays go on the sprout counter.

Seed tray checks

• A contrasting, plain tray with no texture
• Seeds pushed apart so none touch
• Large samples split into portions
• Each tray labelled with lot and portion number