Fluorescent Light Clarifies Relationship Between Heat Stress and Crop Yield
Published:01 Jun.2021 Source:University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, News Bureau
Scientists report that it is possible to detect and predict heat damage in crops by measuring the fluorescent light signature of plant leaves experiencing heat stress. If collected via satellite, this fluorescent signal could support widespread monitoring of growth and crop yield under the heat stress of climate change, the researchers say.
Their study measures sun-induced chlorophyll fluorescence -- or SIF -- to monitor a plant's photosynthetic health and establish a connection between heat stress and crop yield. The findings are published in the journal Global Change Biology.