Challenges and applications of volatile organic compounds monitoring technology in plant disease diagnosis

Abstract

Biotic and abiotic stresses are well known to increase the emission of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from plants. The analysis of VOCs emissions from plants enables timely diagnostic of plant diseases, which is critical for prompting sustainable agriculture. Previous studies have predominantly focused on the utilization of commercially available devices, such as electronic noses, for diagnosing plant diseases. However, recent advancements in nanomaterials research have significantly contributed to the development of novel VOCs sensors featuring exceptional sensitivity and selectivity. This comprehensive review presents a systematic analysis of VOCs monitoring technologies for plant diseases diagnosis, providing insights into their distinct advantages and limitations. Special emphasis is placed on custom-made VOCs sensors, with detailed discussions on their design, working principles, and detection performance. It is noteworthy that the application of VOCs monitoring technologies in the diagnostic process of plant diseases is still in its emerging stage, and several critical challenges demand attention and improvement. Specifically, the identification of specific stress factors using a single VOC sensor remains a formidable task, while environmental factors like humidity can potentially interfere with sensor readings, leading to inaccuracies. Future advancements should primarily focus on addressing these challenges to enhance the overall efficacy and reliability of VOCs monitoring technologies in the field of plant disease diagnosis.

Keywords: Electronic nose; Gas sensor; Plant diseases detection; Volatile organic compounds; Wearable sensor.