Microneedles Carrying Nanosensors for Real-Time Detection of Abiotic Stress in Planta

Abiotic stress refers to adverse environmental conditions that negatively impact plant growth, development, and productivity. These stressors include extreme temperatures, drought, salinity, heavy metals, and radiation. Understanding plant responses and adaptation to abiotic stress is crucial, especially with the increasing severity and frequency of such stressors due to climate change. However, conventional methods for studying plant responses have limitations such as indirect measurements, low spatial resolution, and the inability to visualize real-time changes.<br/><br/>To overcome these limitations, we developed a delivery system using microneedles (MNs) to carry nanosensors. These MNs can be inserted into both soft and hard plant tissues without leaving any residues. By incorporating the nanosensor into the MNs, we successfully demonstrated real-time sensing of abiotic stress in Bok Choy and Nicotiana benthamiana. The embedded nanosensor, designed specifically for abiotic stress, enables rapid and sensitive detection of near-infrared (nIR) fluorescence signals. This allows for accurate measurement and visualization of abiotic stress levels. Furthermore, we confirmed the compatibility of the MNs with the abiotic stress nanosensors.<br/>In summary, the integration of nanosensors with non-invasive delivery systems like MNs presents exciting opportunities for studying abiotic stress in plants. These innovative approaches help us gain a deeper understanding of how plants perceive and respond to environmental challenges. Ultimately, this knowledge can inform the development of stress-tolerant crops, sustainable agricultural practices, and strategies to mitigate the impacts of climate change on plant productivity and food security.