Breakthrough in noninvasive plant stress phenotyping: a multi-organ approach to combat abiotic stressors
image: An overview of stress types: biotic, abiotic, and compound stress.
Credit: The authors
This research transcends conventional leaf-only studies, offering a more holistic perspective on how plants respond to environmental stressors, from drought to soil pollution, ultimately improving strategies for crop resilience and sustainability.
Noninvasive phenotyping has emerged as a vital tool in plant science, enabling the study of stress indicators without disrupting plant growth. While most studies have historically focused on analyzing stress responses in leaves, this novel research adopts a multi-organ view, assessing the dynamic interplay between leaves, stems, and roots when exposed to abiotic stress. Given the global challenges posed by climate change and food security, such advancements are crucial for optimizing crop health and productivity.
A study (DOI:10.34133/plantphenomics.0180 ) published in Plant Phenomics on 22 May 2024, facilitates a clearer understanding of how stress propagates through different plant systems.
The study introduces a multi-organ approach to monitor plant stress, focusing on how different vegetative parts—leaves, stems, and roots—perceive and respond to various abiotic stressors. Leaves, exposed to the atmosphere, primarily reflect stress caused by air pollution and fluctuating light conditions. Stems, which facilitate the transport of water and nutrients, are particularly sensitive to temperature extremes, including both chilling and heat stress. Roots, embedded in soil, detect water deficits, waterlogging, and soil contamination, such as heavy metals. To monitor these stress responses noninvasively, the researchers employed optical sensing techniques. Technologies like visible and near-infrared (NIR) spectroscopy, hyperspectral imaging, and advanced thermal imaging were used to capture changes in plant physiology and morphology. The root system, which is harder to study due to soil opacity, was analyzed using advanced imaging methods like x-ray computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). These tools provided a comprehensive assessment of plant stress at both macroscopic and cellular levels, facilitating a clearer understanding of how stress propagates through different plant systems.
According to the study's lead researcher, Dr. Lirong Xiang, “Understanding how different organs of a plant respond to stress not only provides critical insights into plant physiology but also paves the way for more targeted agricultural practices. This research represents a paradigm shift in how we monitor and interpret plant stress responses in real time.”
In conclusion, this research has profound implications for agriculture and environmental management. By understanding stress responses across different organs, farmers and scientists can better predict crop health and intervene more effectively. For instance, monitoring stem water transport can offer early warning signs of drought stress, while root analysis can inform soil remediation practices. The insights gained can also drive the development of more stress-resistant crop varieties, improving yields and food security in regions vulnerable to climate change.
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References
DOI
Original Source URL
https://doi.org/10.34133/plantphenomics.0180
Funding information
This work was supported by the Natural Science Foundation of Fujian Province, China (2022J01611), Subsidy for the Construction of Fujian Key Laboratory of Agricultural Information Sensing Technology (KJG22052A), Agricultural Artificial Intelligence (133/71202020), Subtropical Fruit Intelligent Production Service Team (11899170167), and the Program of Interdisciplinary Integration Promoting the Development of Intelligent Agriculture (Horticulture) (No. 000-71202103B).
About Plant Phenomics
Science Partner Journal Plant Phenomics is an online-only Open Access journal published in affiliation with the State Key Laboratory of Crop Genetics & Germplasm Enhancement, Nanjing Agricultural University (NAU) and distributed by the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS). Like all partners participating in the Science Partner Journal program, Plant Phenomics is editorially independent from the Science family of journals. Editorial decisions and scientific activities pursued by the journal's Editorial Board are made independently, based on scientific merit and adhering to the highest standards for accurate and ethical promotion of science. These decisions and activities are in no way influenced by the financial support of NAU, NAU administration, or any other institutions and sponsors. The Editorial Board is solely responsible for all content published in the journal. To learn more about the Science Partner Journal program, visit the SPJ program homepage.
The mission of Plant Phenomics is to publish novel research that will advance all aspects of plant phenotyping from the cell to the plant population levels using innovative combinations of sensor systems and data analytics. Plant Phenomics aims also to connect phenomics to other science domains, such as genomics, genetics, physiology, molecular biology, bioinformatics, statistics, mathematics, and computer sciences. Plant Phenomics should thus contribute to advance plant sciences and agriculture/forestry/horticulture by addressing key scientific challenges in the area of plant phenomics.