Researchers from Tohoku University developed a leaf-mounted sensor to simplify the process of determining whether a plant is prospering or dying. To satisfy ever-increasing demands, this small but powerful device could assist in increasing crop yields and resource management. The study was published in the journal Sensing and Bio-Sensing Research.
Increasing agricultural output is critically needed as concerns about climate change and population growth increase.
Heat waves, torrential rains, and droughts are examples of extreme weather conditions that cause stress in plants, lowering crop yields and endangering the long-term viability of forests, farms, and wildlife. The need to carefully track how plants react to these changes is unfulfilled.
Drones and airplanes have made it easier to monitor plants from above, but they only record additional surface-level macro data. To track plants accurately over time, they also require changes. Since they frequently need on-site staff to install and manually inspect each sensor, other tiny sensors that may record changes at the individual plant level are troublesome.
Read the study at Science Direct.
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