Abstract
Detailed knowledge about plant chemical constituents and their distributions from organ level to sub-cellular level is of critical interest to basic and applied sciences. Spectral imaging techniques offer unparalleled advantages in that regard. The core advantage of these technologies is that they acquire spatially distributed semi-quantitative information of high specificity towards chemical constituents of plants. This forms invaluable asset in the studies on plant biochemical and structural features. In certain applications, non-invasive analysis is possible. The information harvested through spectral imaging can be used for exploration of plant biochemistry, physiology, metabolism, classification, and phenotyping among others, with significant gains for basic and applied research. This article aims to present a general perspective about vibrational spectral imaging/micro-spectroscopy in the context of plant research. Within the scope of this review are infrared (IR), near-infrared (NIR) and Raman imaging techniques. To better expose the potential and limitations of these techniques, fluorescence imaging is briefly overviewed as a method relatively less flexible but particularly powerful for the investigation of photosynthesis. Included is a brief introduction to the physical, instrumental, and data-analytical background essential for the applications of imaging techniques. The applications are discussed on the basis of recent literature.
Highlights
From the point-of-view of physicochemical methods of analysis, plants form a challenging subject
The present review aims to overview vibrational spectral imaging in the field of plant-related research
In contrast to the more conventional root phenotyping by multispectral RGB imaging limited to assessing color contrasts between roots and growth media or artificial backgrounds, an imaging technique based on NIR spectral signatures largely improves the quality of information elucidated from the sample, including insights into chemical constituents and physico-chemical properties of roots and soil
Summary
From the point-of-view of physicochemical methods of analysis, plants form a challenging subject. Fluorescence imaging is briefly overviewed; it is based on a different physical principle, yet gained profound use in plant science, e.g., in the studies of photosynthesis As it delivers information of complementary character, it seems advantageous to compare fluorescence and vibrational imaging, with aim to better expose the advantages and limitations of each of these techniques. Brief introductions to the background phenomena, instrumentation, image generation and data analytical methods, spectra interpretation, and related information are included, while the interested reader is pointed to the referenced literature for more exhaustive information The discussion of these fundamental topics is directed towards the better understanding of the final performance and applicability of reviewed techniques in plant science. The majority of reviewed applications are based on literature published over the past few years, with selected exceptions that present relevant information or have initiated significant lanes of research
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