Scientists at North Carolina State University have developed a cutting-edge electronic patch that can detect a wide range of pathogens, including viral and fungal infections, as well as environmental stresses such as drought or salinity in plants.
This breakthrough technology has the potential to revolutionize how farmers monitor their crops' health and respond to issues that could impact crop yield.
This unassuming patch may provide a vital improvement to future global food security
(Image Credit: Qingshan Wei, NC State University)
Patch Placement and Functionality
The electronic patch, which measures 30 millimeters in length, is strategically placed on the underside of plant leaves. This location has a higher density of stomata (the pores through which plants exchange gases with the environment).
The patch works by monitoring volatile organic compounds (VOCs) emitted by the plants, which vary according to the plant's health and specific conditions. In addition to monitoring VOCs, the new patch design also incorporates extra sensors to measure temperature, humidity, and the amount of moisture the plants release through their leaves.
Greenhouse Tests and Results
In a series of greenhouse tests conducted on tomato plants, the research team was able to determine the effectiveness of their electronic patch.
They found that the patches could detect a viral infection as early as four days after the plants were first exposed to it. This early detection is a significant improvement over the typical 10-14 days it takes for physical symptoms of the virus to become visible, allowing farmers to take prompt action to mitigate the spread of infections and address challenges that may impact crop yield.
Greenhouse Tomatoes
(Image Credit: Roman Zaiets via Shutterstock / HDR tune by Universal-Sci)
Testing Different Pathogens and Abiotic Stresses
The researchers tested the new patches on tomato plants infected with three different pathogens: Tomato spotted wilt virus (TSWV); early blight, a fungal infection; and late blight, a type of pathogen called an oomycete.
The plants were also exposed to various abiotic stresses, such as overwatering, drought conditions, lack of light, and high salt concentrations in the water.
By analyzing the data collected from these experiments using artificial intelligence, the researchers were able to determine which combinations of sensors worked most effectively to identify both disease and abiotic stress.
Future Development and Real-World Applications
The development of this electronic patch marks a significant advancement in the field of agriculture, as it allows farmers to detect and address issues in their crops more quickly and efficiently.
Before the electronic patches can be commercialized and made available to growers, the team plans to make them wireless and conduct further tests under real-world conditions outside of greenhouses.
Improving Global Food Security
By refining the technology and ensuring its effectiveness under varying environmental conditions, this innovative solution could help farmers prevent minor issues from escalating into larger problems, contributing to addressing global food security challenges in a meaningful way.
The researchers are currently seeking partnerships with industry and agriculture organizations to help further develop and test their technology.
All in all, if successful, this electronic patch could represent a major step forward in our ability to monitor plant health, optimize crop yields, and ultimately ensure a more stable and sustainable global food supply.
If you would like to learn more about the research we discussed in this article, check out the paper published in the peer-reviewed science journal Science Advances listed below.
Sources and further reading:
Abaxial leaf surface-mounted multimodal wearable sensor for continuous plant physiology monitoring - (Science Advances)
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