Digitalized pencil trace modified electrodes for real time evaluation of salicylic acid in detached Arabidopsis thaliana leaves during regeneration

Wearable electrochemical sensors for plant small-molecule detection

Small molecules in plants - such as metabolites, phytohormones, reactive oxygen species (ROS), and inorganic ions - participate in the processes of plant growth and development, physiological metabolism, and stress response. Wearable electrochemical sensors, known for their fast response, high sensitivity, and minimal plant damage, serve as ideal tools for dynamically tracking these small molecules. Such sensors provide producers or agricultural researchers with noninvasive or minimally invasive means of obtaining plant signals. In this review we explore the applications of wearable electrochemical sensors in detecting plant small molecules, enabling scientific assessment of plant conditions, quantification of environmental stresses, and facilitation of plant health monitoring and disease prediction.

Potential of nanobiosensor in sustainable agriculture: the state-of-art

A rapid surge in world population leads to an increase in worldwide demand for agricultural products. Nanotechnology and its applications in agriculture have appeared as a boon to civilization with enormous potential in transforming conventional farming practices into redefined farming activities. Low-cost portable nanobiosensors are the most effective diagnostic tool for the rapid on-site assessment of plant and soil health including plant biotic and abiotic stress level, nutritional status, presence of hazardous chemicals in soil, etc. to maintain proper farming and crop productivity. Nanobiosensors detect physiological signals and convert them into standardized detectable signals. In order to achieve a reliable sensing analysis, nanoparticles can aid in signal amplification and sensor sensitivity by lowering the detection limit. The high selectivity and sensitivity of nanobiosensors enable early detection and management of targeted abnormalities. This study identifies the types of nanobiosensors according to the target application in agriculture sector.

Application of electrochemical methods for the detection of abiotic stress biomarkers in plants

Abiotic stress is the main cause of low productivity in plants. Therefore, it is important to detect stress and respond to it in a timely manner to avoid irreversible damage to plant productivity and health. The application of traditional methods in agriculture is limited by expensive equipment and cumbersome sample processing. More effective detection methods are urgently needed due to the trace amounts and low stabilities of plant biomarkers. Electrochemical detection methods have the unique advantages of high accuracy, a low detection limit, fast response and easy integration with systems. In this review, the application of three types of electrochemical methods to phytohormone assessment is highlighted including direct electrochemical, immunoelectrochemical, and photoelectrochemical methods. Research on electrochemical methods for detecting abiotic stress biomarkers, including various phytohormones, is also summarized with examples. To date, the detection limit of exogenous plant hormones can reach pg/mL or even lower. Nevertheless, more efforts need to be made to develop a portable instrument for in situ online detection if electrochemical sensors are to be applied to the detection of the endogenous hormones or the physiological state of plants. Additionally, plant-wearable sensors that can be directly attached to or implanted into plants for continuous, noninvasive and real-time monitoring are emphasized. Finally, rational summaries of the considered methods and present challenges and future prospects in the field of abiotic stress detection-based electrochemical biosensors are thoroughly discussed.