Analysis of electrical signalling in plant

​

The analysis of the electrophysiological activity of plants permits a real-time information of the plant status (e.g. light availability and water stress). However, even though it is clear that the role of the electrical signals in plant is crucial, especially in processes involving the propagation of rapid signals, a systematic approach for the interpretation of the electrical patterns is still missing.

​

​

This project aims to elucidate long term electrical analysis related to plant stress. For example, the analysis of the physiological status of each plant has been used to correlate different water stress intensities with specific electrical patterns. We have developed a methodology based on a continuous monitoring of several plants in vivo, in a non-destructive way, for a long period through a new set-up that consists of a multi-electrodes system able to detect the electrical signals on several plants (or in different zones of the same plant).

​

​

Electrical measurements can be used at early stage to select the most drought tolerant cultivars for increasing productivity in semi-arid conditions. Additionally, the multi-electrodes approach can be easily applied for monitoring a few plants as “biosensor” to check the status of a more numerous group of plants subjected to the same irrigation regime. The set-up could provide a useful tool for monitoring water conditions in plants and has several potential applications for sensor and automatic system in greenhouse or field.