Electric Impedance Spectroscopy in Trees Condition Analysis: Theory and Experiment

Area of Science:

• Plant Physiology
• Agro-food Industry
• Biophysics

Background:

• Electric impedance spectroscopy (EIS) is a promising technology for monitoring plant health and product quality.
• Current EIS applications often require controlled laboratory conditions, limiting in situ use.
• There is a need for methods to assess internal plant tissue health non-destructively.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and validate a novel in situ technique for assessing the health of tree branch tissues using EIS.
• To analyze the impedance characteristics of apple tree branches in relation to signal frequency, branch length, and drying.
• To evaluate the technique's utility in monitoring vascular system development post-grafting.

Main Methods:

• Development of a custom device and model for in situ impedance measurements on tree branches.
• Analysis of apple tree branch impedance across varying signal frequencies and lengths.
• Monitoring impedance changes in apple tree branches during induced drying.
• Application of the technique to assess graft union formation after plasma treatment.

Main Results:

• EIS measurements successfully correlated with the drying process, indicating a decrease in xylem conductivity.
• The study demonstrated the dependence of branch impedance on signal frequency and length.
• The developed technique effectively monitored vascular system development in grafted apple trees.
• Cold atmospheric plasma and plasma-treated solutions enhanced graft union formation.

Conclusions:

• The novel in situ EIS technique provides valuable insights into tree branch tissue health and physiological status.
• The method can non-destructively assess xylem conductivity changes and vascular system development.
• Plasma treatments show potential for improving grafting success in apple trees.