This Research Topic is centered on the complex physiological processes plants undergo when responding to stress, which often occur at the organ and tissue levels. Traditionally, the focus has been on molecular, biochemical, and physiological processes in isolated tissues, while integral communication across plant organs post-stress—crucial for adaptation—tends to be overlooked. Recent strides in non-invasive optical and biophysical techniques in plant physiology have opened new frontiers in understanding these adaptation mechanisms in whole plants under stress, in real-time.
Traditional methods like chlorophyll fluorescence imaging, alongside more sophisticated techniques such as optical reflectance, transmittance, remote sensing, and even optogenetics, all utilize light in non-invasive ways. This cutting-edge approach promises minimal disturbance to plant tissue integrity while providing essential data on several physiological aspects including photosynthesis efficiency, water management, and tissue dynamics.
This Research Topic aims to delve into advanced methodologies for imaging plant leaves and other organs using non-invasive, high-resolution techniques to enhance our understanding of plant stress physiology in real time and in situ. By showcasing how light can simplify the observation of complex stress interactions and responses, this topic seeks to improve our comprehensive understanding of overall plant functionality under diverse environmental conditions.
To gather further insights in non-invasive, light-mediated methods for real-time plant stress investigation, we welcome articles addressing, but not limited to, the following themes:
- Specific physiological processes such as photosynthesis, water and nutrient transport, and responses to biotic and abiotic stresses
- Innovative and traditional non-destructive imaging techniques, including chlorophyll fluorescence and multispectral/hyperspectral imaging
- Detailed 2D and 3D imaging techniques for exploring dynamics at organ and tissue scales
- Techniques facilitating real-time monitoring and longitudinal studies to track physiological changes over time
We accept submissions of original research, review articles, and methods papers related to these themes.
Keywords: plant stress responses, imagine techniques, chlorophyll fluorescence imaging, remote sensing, optogenetics
Important note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.
