Optical Spectroscopic Approach for Non-Invasive Monitoring of Plant Water and Nutrient Stress

Early non-destructive monitoring of plant responses to water and nutrient stresses was achieved via optical spectroscopy. Transformed reflectance spectra provided cues to distinguish between iron and calcium deficiencies at their early onset. Irreversible plant damage could be prevented using a dual component system comprising an optical detector and novel transgenic indicator plants that emit green fluorescence signals at early onset of drought stress.