Abstract
High spectral resolution spectrometers were used to detect optical signals ofongoing plant stress in potted white clover canopies subjected to ozone fumigation. Thecase of ozone stress is used in this manuscript as a paradigm of oxidative stress. Steadystatefluorescence (Fs) and the Photochemical Reflectance Index (PRI) were investigatedas advanced hyperspectral remote sensing techniques able to sense variations in the excessenergy dissipation pathways occurring when photosynthesis declines in plants exposed to astress agent. Fs and PRI were monitored in control and ozone fumigated canopies during a21-day experiment together with the traditional Normalized Difference Vegetation Index(NDVI) and physiological measurements commonly employed by physiologists to describestress development (i.e. net CO₂ assimilation, active fluorimetry, chlorophyll concentrationand visible injuries). It is shown that remote detection of an ongoing stress through Fs andPRI can be achieved in an early phase, characterized by the decline of photosynthesis. Onthe contrary, NDVI was able to detect the stress only when damage occurred. These resultsopen up new possibilities for assessment of plant stress by means of hyperspectral remotesensing.
Highlights
Environmental stresses come from a variety of factors which, besides very specific effects, often limit the potential growth of vegetation
Time series of the investigated variables measured at 10:30 a.m. were generated in order to analyze differences between control and treated plants as the stress developed
On day 0, both physiological and spectral measurements indicated that control and treated plants were in similar vigour before fumigation
Summary
Environmental stresses come from a variety of factors which, besides very specific effects, often limit the potential growth of vegetation. The early detection of drought or nutrient deficiency in crops would allow farmers to manage water or fertilization supplies in order to avoid a production loss. From a RS point of view, the state of stress has been expressed by changes of optical signals (e.g. Normalized Difference Vegetation Index, NDVI) related to some canopy variables (e.g. leaf area index, LAI, and chlorophyll concentration) [2,3,4,5,6]. When canopy chlorophyll concentration or total leaf area are affected by the stress, damage to the plant has already occurred, and plant status is compromised
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