About this Research Topic
The horticultural and plant nursery sectors are facing significant challenges, particularly due to climate change and abiotic disturbances such as drought, salinity, air and soil pollution, nutrient imbalance, and heat stress. In this context, the application of eustressors—such as regulated deficit irrigation, the use of salt water, and exposure to high/low temperatures or UV treatment—can be interesting strategies to enhance both plant quality and crop resilience to abiotic stress. The introduction of advanced technological control systems in horticultural and plant nursery production is enabling a deeper understanding of plant response mechanisms to abiotic conditions and is expected to improve agronomic practices, ultimately enhancing crop productivity even under changing climate conditions.
Photonic sensing refers to the technology that uses light (photons) to detect and measure physical properties such as temperature, hydration levels, and chemical composition, enabling precise and non-invasive monitoring across various applications. Examples of photonic devices include instruments for determining vegetation indexes (e.g., sensors based on reflectance to measure NDVI, multispectral cameras), fluorometers (e.g., photosynthesis yield analyzers), chlorophyll and other pigment meters (e.g., Dualex, SPAD), hyperspectral sensors for monitoring multiple stressors, nanosensors, and mobile apps (e.g., for measuring canopy cover).
To address adverse climatic conditions, there is a pressing need for the development of real-time, user-friendly, and non-destructive protocols to assess plant physiology, with the goal of optimizing the use of eustressors. Non-destructive methods offer the advantage of assessing plant health status under various conditions over time using both proximal and remote sensing tools. Among these methods, photonic sensors present a promising opportunity to explore eco-physiological responses and predict the onset of stress symptoms. These sensors can be used alongside instruments for eco-physiological measurements to further develop effective protocols.
The scope of this Research Topic is to compile papers focusing on the application of non-destructive methodologies for physiological measurements using photonic tools. We welcome articles that utilize photonic sensors in horticultural and plant nursery production, addressing the following themes:
• Real-time detection of abiotic stress symptoms
• Optimization of eustress application to improve plant quality
• Optimization of plant nutrition
• Optimization of irrigation and detection of water stress symptoms
• Optimization of irrigation using low-quality water
• Development of new protocols for physiological measurements
• Assessment of eco-physiological plant responses to stress conditions
• Enhancement of plant resilience to abiotic stress
• Assessment of variations in indices related to the leaf content of epidermal phenolic compounds and chlorophyll under regulated UV stress
We welcome all manuscript types, particularly Original Research Articles, Review Articles, and Methods Articles, with the aim of providing a comprehensive overview of current advancements and future perspectives for the use of photonic sensors to improve plant yield and quality.
Photonic sensing refers to the technology that uses light (photons) to detect and measure physical properties such as temperature, hydration levels, and chemical composition, enabling precise and non-invasive monitoring across various applications. Examples of photonic devices include instruments for determining vegetation indexes (e.g., sensors based on reflectance to measure NDVI, multispectral cameras), fluorometers (e.g., photosynthesis yield analyzers), chlorophyll and other pigment meters (e.g., Dualex, SPAD), hyperspectral sensors for monitoring multiple stressors, nanosensors, and mobile apps (e.g., for measuring canopy cover).
To address adverse climatic conditions, there is a pressing need for the development of real-time, user-friendly, and non-destructive protocols to assess plant physiology, with the goal of optimizing the use of eustressors. Non-destructive methods offer the advantage of assessing plant health status under various conditions over time using both proximal and remote sensing tools. Among these methods, photonic sensors present a promising opportunity to explore eco-physiological responses and predict the onset of stress symptoms. These sensors can be used alongside instruments for eco-physiological measurements to further develop effective protocols.
The scope of this Research Topic is to compile papers focusing on the application of non-destructive methodologies for physiological measurements using photonic tools. We welcome articles that utilize photonic sensors in horticultural and plant nursery production, addressing the following themes:
• Real-time detection of abiotic stress symptoms
• Optimization of eustress application to improve plant quality
• Optimization of plant nutrition
• Optimization of irrigation and detection of water stress symptoms
• Optimization of irrigation using low-quality water
• Development of new protocols for physiological measurements
• Assessment of eco-physiological plant responses to stress conditions
• Enhancement of plant resilience to abiotic stress
• Assessment of variations in indices related to the leaf content of epidermal phenolic compounds and chlorophyll under regulated UV stress
We welcome all manuscript types, particularly Original Research Articles, Review Articles, and Methods Articles, with the aim of providing a comprehensive overview of current advancements and future perspectives for the use of photonic sensors to improve plant yield and quality.
Keywords: Canopy reflectance, Chlorophyll, Drought, Eustress, Gas exchanges, Pollutants, Salinity, Spectroscopy, Vegetation indexes
Important Note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.
