UGA Researchers Push Plant Sensors Toward Earlier Drought, Disease and Insect Detection

University of Georgia researchers are advancing sensor systems designed to detect crop stress before symptoms become visible, with potential applications in drought management, disease detection, insect pressure and crop biosecurity.

Professor Liang Dong’s work focuses on real-time monitoring of soil conditions, plant health and environmental factors. The sensors can measure plant signals including reactive oxygen species, phytohormones and volatile compounds, as well as nutrient levels, transpiration and photosynthetic activity.

The goal is earlier, more precise intervention

A plant can begin responding physiologically to water stress, disease or insects before a farmer can see obvious damage. Detecting those signals earlier could allow growers to adjust irrigation, scouting or other management decisions sooner.

UGA says the research is being shaped around practical grower priorities including crop biosecurity and drought-related water management. The technology remains an active research and development area, so its value will ultimately depend on field reliability, cost, integration and whether sensor data produces decisions that improve farm economics.