2019-02-272019-02-272018https://hdl.handle.net/10883/20034Grain yield, ear and kernel attributes can assist to understand the performance of maize plant under different environmental conditions and can be used in the variety development process to address farmer’s preferences. These parameters are however still laborious and expensive to measure. The ear digital imaging is a low-cost, high throughput method that provides estimates of ear and kernel attributes i.e., ear number and size, kernel number and size as well as kernel weight from photos of ears harvested from field trial plots. The image processing method uses a script that runs in a batch mode on ImageJ; an open source software. Current investment in combine harvesters at key breeding locations may supersede this technology; however it will continue to provide an important quality control feedback in on-farm trials where yields are generally measured by non-researchers. Furthermore, the cost and maintenance of harvest equipment does not make them accessible for small breeding programs, especially within national programs. This manual is designed to assist maize breeders and technicians in ear and kernel attributes evaluation.PDFCIMMYT manages Intellectual Assets as International Public Goods. The user is free to download, print, store and share this work. In case you want to translate or create any other derivative work and share or distribute such translation/derivative work, please contact CIMMYT-Knowledge-Center@cgiar.org indicating the work you want to use and the kind of use you intend; CIMMYT will contact you with the suitable license for that purpose.AGRICULTURAL SCIENCES AND BIOTECHNOLOGYBrochurePHENOTYPESMAIZEENVIRONMENTAL FACTORSDIGITAL IMAGE PROCESSINGOpen Access