Revolutionary Plant Patch Monitors Diseases & Stress in Real-Time
Scientists at Drexel University have engineered a revolutionary plant patch. It monitors diseases and stress by detecting volatile organic compounds (VOCs) emitted by plants. The prototype can identify physical damage within hours and is affordable, making it a practical solution for stress management.
The patch targets specific VOCs linked to particular diseases or plant stress. It can detect changes associated with physical damage within one to three hours. Researchers from North Carolina State University have developed a similar wearable patch that can identify 13 different plant VOCs with high accuracy.
Current methods involve lab assays of plant tissue, providing only one measurement with a delay. Detecting late blight disease in tomatoes, caused by P. infestans, took three to four days after inoculation. In contrast, the new patch offers continuous, non-invasive monitoring.
Future versions of the patch are planned to be solar-powered and capable of wireless data transfer. Researchers are also working on a next-generation patch that can monitor temperature, humidity, and other environmental variables along with VOCs.
The plant patch, developed by researchers from Drexel and North Carolina State Universities, offers a significant advancement in plant health monitoring. It provides real-time, non-invasive detection of diseases and stress, replacing slow and invasive lab assays. With plans for solar power and wireless data transfer, this affordable solution promises to revolutionize plant care.
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