Sensing for early-stage plant disease: From pathogenesis to sensor design
Junfeng Xie1, Wenxuan Xu1, Ranhua Xiong1
1State Key Laboratory for Development and Utilization of Forest Food Resources, Joint Laboratory of Advanced Biomedical Materials (NFU-UGent), Jiangsu Co-Innovation Center of Efficient Processing and Utilization of Forest Resources, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing 210037, China.
Biotechnology Advances
|January 7, 2026
Summary
Early detection of plant diseases using sensors is crucial for food security. This review explores sensor technologies, from pathogen detection to plant stress indicators, for sustainable agriculture.
Area of Science:
- Plant Pathology
- Agricultural Science
- Biotechnology
Background:
- Plant diseases threaten global food security and sustainable agriculture.
- Conventional chemical treatments disrupt ecological balance and human health.
- Need for eco-friendly, efficient early disease detection technologies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review advances and challenges in sensor-based early plant disease detection.
- To guide researchers and practitioners in developing and deploying sensing platforms.
- To bridge basic concepts with practical applications in plant pathology.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of pathogen infection processes and plant signaling molecules.
- Categorization of detection strategies into direct (pathogen-specific) and indirect (plant response) approaches.
- Review of optical, electrochemical biosensors, volatile organic compound (VOC) monitoring, acoustic signals, and phenotypic analysis.
Main Results:
- Direct methods utilize biosensors with antibodies or DNA probes for pathogen identification.
- Indirect methods monitor plant stress indicators like VOCs, acoustic signals, and phenotype changes.
- Identified key signaling molecules for sensor design and outlined sensor classes and limitations.
Conclusions:
- Sensor-based detection offers a sustainable alternative to chemical treatments for plant diseases.
- Technological translation requires addressing current limitations in sensor performance and deployment.
- Future development should focus on integrated sensing platforms for comprehensive early disease monitoring.
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