Plants can now tell you when they’re stressed out

As the effects of climate change become more pronounced, farmers and gardeners alike are faced with increasingly unpredictable growing conditions. Droughts, heatwaves, and extreme weather events are becoming more common, putting crops and plants at risk. Being able to quickly and accurately detect signs of stress in plants can make all the difference in saving them from irreversible damage.

The new plant-wearable device developed by researchers at the American Chemical Society offers a promising solution to this problem. By detecting hydrogen peroxide, a chemical released by plants under stress, the wearable provides an early warning system for growers. The device consists of an array of microscopic plastic needles coated with a chitosan-based hydrogel that can detect small amounts of hydrogen peroxide and convert it into an electric current. This allows growers to monitor their plants’ stress levels in real-time.

In experiments, the wearable accurately identified stress in plants exposed to a pathogen, demonstrating its potential as a tool for early detection of plant stress. The researchers envision that this technology could be scaled up to help farmers monitor their crops for signs of distress, providing a cost-effective and efficient solution for crop health management.

By incorporating AI-enabled monitoring sensors and autonomous robots into agriculture practices, growers can ensure round-the-clock care for their plants, even in the face of changing environmental conditions. This innovative approach to plant health monitoring represents a significant step forward in sustainable agriculture practices and could help farmers and gardeners better adapt to the challenges of climate change. Every year, the National Institute of Food and Agriculture estimates that between 20-30 percent of global crop production is lost to pests and diseases, resulting in estimated losses exceeding $220 billion. This staggering figure highlights the significant impact that pests and diseases have on agriculture and food security worldwide.

Pests and diseases pose a constant threat to crops, causing damage and reducing yields. Farmers must constantly monitor their crops, implement pest control measures, and use disease-resistant varieties to mitigate these risks. Despite their efforts, the economic losses due to pests and diseases remain substantial, affecting both small-scale farmers and large agricultural operations.

To address this issue, researchers and scientists are working diligently to develop innovative solutions to protect crops from pests and diseases. One approach involves the use of biological control agents, such as beneficial insects and microorganisms, to naturally suppress pest populations. These biological control methods are environmentally friendly and sustainable, reducing the reliance on chemical pesticides.

Additionally, advancements in biotechnology have enabled the development of genetically modified crops with built-in resistance to pests and diseases. These genetically modified organisms (GMOs) offer enhanced protection against common pests and diseases, reducing the need for chemical treatments and improving crop yields.

Furthermore, research is ongoing to identify new pest and disease management strategies, such as precision agriculture techniques and digital tools for early detection and monitoring. By leveraging technology and data-driven solutions, farmers can proactively manage pest and disease threats, minimizing crop losses and maximizing productivity.

Overall, the efforts of researchers and scientists in the field of crop protection are crucial for safeguarding global food security and sustainable agriculture. By developing innovative solutions and advancing scientific knowledge, we can reduce the impact of pests and diseases on crop production, ensuring a stable and reliable food supply for future generations.