Laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy for analysis of plant materials: A review

Developments and contributions of laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) for the determination of elements in plant materials are reviewed. Several applications where the solid samples are interrogated by simply focusing the laser pulses directly onto a fresh or dried surface of leaves, roots, fruits, vegetables, wood and pollen are presented. For quantitative purposes aiming at plant nutrition diagnosis, the test sample presentation in the form of pressed pellets, prepared from clean, dried and properly ground/homogenized leaves, and the use of univariate or multivariate calibration strategies are revisited.

► Qualitative and quantitative LIBS analysis of plant materials are reviewed.
► Fresh or dried leaves, fruits, roots and pellets can be easily interrogated by LIBS.
► LIBS is a powerful tool for plant nutrition diagnosis and elemental mapping.
► Intended LIBS users will find a survey of applications in a comprehensive table.