Automatic Brix Measurement for Watermelon Breeding

Sweetness or sugar content, represented by soluble solids contents (SSC), is a vital quality trait in watermelon breeding which can be assessed the refractive index method. However, sampling juice out of pulp process that both labor-intensive and error-prone. In this study, we developed an automatic SSC measurement system for to improve efficiency decrease costs. First, built cutting cut watermelons into precise halves, laser rangefinder used measure distance from upper surface itself, thus, diameter estimated. The experiments showed high correlation between estimated diameters ground truths, with . Then, Brix obtain data central point on watermelon’s section, where image analysis procedure applied locate testing point. This then transformed camera coordination system, refractometer driven 3-axis robotic arm reach were conducted using three vertical gaps four lateral probe pulp. result best parameters gap 4 mm 2 mm. average accuracy reached 98.74%, indicates study has potential support research.